Visa Categories

The chart below contains different purposes for immigrating to the United States, and the related immigrant visa categories for which information is available on this website. Select a visa category below to learn more:

Immediate Relative & Family SponsoredVisa Category
Spouse of a U.S. Citizen IR1, CR1
Spouse of a U.S. Citizen awaiting approval of an I-130 immigrant petitionK-3 *
Fiancé(e) to marry U.S. Citizen & live in U.S.K-1 *
Intercountry Adoption of Orphan Children by U.S. CitizensIR3, IH3, IR4, IH4
Certain Family Members of U.S. CitizensIR2, CR2, IR5, F1, F3, F4
Certain Family Members of Lawful Permanent ResidentsF2A, F2B
Employer Sponsored – Employment
Employment-Based Immigrants, including (preference group): Priority workers [First]Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees and Persons of Exceptional Ability [Second]Professionals and Other Workers [Third]Employment Creation/Investors [Fifth]Certain Special Immigrants: [Fourth]E1
E2
E3, EW3
C5, T5, R5, I5
S (many**)
Religious WorkersSD, SR
Iraqi and Afghan Translators/InterpretersSI
Iraqis Who Worked for/on Behalf of the U.S. GovernmentSQ
Afghans Who Worked for/on Behalf of the U.S. GovernmentSQ
Other Immigrants
Diversity Immigrant VisaDV
Returning ResidentSB

Important Notes:

*K Visas – Listed with immigrant visas because they are for immigration related purposes.

About this chart – This chart is a list of many immigrant visa categories, but not every immigrant visa category.

**Refer to the Foreign Affairs Manual, 9 FAM 502.1 for a listing of all immigrant visa categories.

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