Immediate Relatives

"Immediate relatives" of United States citizens may qualify for a visa under this category to immigrate to the United States. Visas are immediately available to individuals in this category, and there are no numerical or worldwide level limitations to the number of visas that may be issued in this category. An individual qualifies as an "immediate relative" if s/he is:

• a spouse of a United States citizen;
• a unmarried child (under the age of 21) of a United States citizen; or
• a parent of a United States citizen (provided that the citizen is at least 21 years of age).

First Preference (FS-1)

If you are an unmarried son or daughter of a United States citizen and are 21 years of age or older, you may qualify for a visa under this category to immigrate to the United States. This category is allotted about 23,400 visas annually.

Second Preference (FS-2)

If you are the spouse or unmarried son or daughter 21 years of age or older of a lawful permanent resident, you may qualify for a visa under this category to immigrate to the United States. This category is allotted about 114,200 visas annually.

Third Preference (FS-3)

The married sons and daughters of a United States citizen may qualify for a visa under this category to immigrate to the United States. This category is allotted about 23,400 visas annually.

Fourth Preference (FS-4)

The brothers and sisters of a United States citizen (provided that the citizen is at least 21 years of age) may qualify for a visa under this category to immigrate to the United States. This category is allotted about 65,000 visas annually.

Fiancé (K-1) or Spouse (K-3)

The K-1 visa allows the fiance' of a United States citizen to enter the United States to marry, then apply for legal permanent resident status.  The marriage must occur within 90 days of entry. The K-3 visa allows the spouse of a United States Citizen to enter the United States and apply for legal permanent resident status. This category also has a derivative provision for accompanying children (under the age of 21) to also enter the United States and apply for legal permanent resident status.

“V-1” Visa Category (V-1)

The V-1 visa allows the spouse and unmarried children (under the age of 21) of a lawful permanent resident to enter the United States. This visa category  was created to reunite families who have been, or could be separated, during the process of immigrating to the United States. An individual may qualify for a visa under this category if sh/e meets the following general requirements:

• is the beneficiary of an I-130 petition filed on or prior to December 21, 2000;
• has a priority date that is at least three years old and is not current;
• has not had or is scheduled for an immigrant visa interview;
• the I-130 petition is not already at an embassy or consulate abroad; and
• is not subject to any grounds of inadmissibility.