Immigrant 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 Sponsored | Visa Category |
| Spouse of a U.S. Citizen | IR1, CR1 |
| Spouse of a U.S. Citizen awaiting approval of an I-130 immigrant petition | K-3Â * |
| Fiancé(e) to marry U.S. Citizen & live in U.S. | K-1 * |
| Intercountry Adoption of Orphan Children by U.S. Citizens | IR3, IH3, IR4, IH4 |
| Certain Family Members of U.S. Citizens | IR2, CR2, IR5, F1, F3, F4 |
| Certain Family Members of Lawful Permanent Residents | F2A, F2B |
| Employer Sponsored – Employment | |
Employment-Based Immigrants, including  (preference group):
|
E1 E3, EW3 C5, T5, R5, I5 S (many**) |
| Religious Workers | SD, SR |
| Iraqi and Afghan Translators/Interpreters | SI |
| Iraqis Who Worked for/on Behalf of the U.S. Government | SQ |
| Afghans Who Worked for/on Behalf of the U.S. Government | SQ |
| Other Immigrants | |
| Diversity Immigrant Visa | DV |
| Returning Resident | SB |
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.
Source: DEPARTMENT of STATE — BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS/Travel.State.GovU.S.
