IMMIGRANT CATEGORIES
I. UNLIMITED IMMIGRANTS
There are no limitations on the number of individuals who can immigrate each year in the following categories:
A. Immediate Relatives: The spouse, widow(er) and unmarried minor children (under the age of 21) of a U.S. citizen, and the parents of a U.S. citizen who is 21 or older.
B. Returning Residents: Previous U.S. lawful permanent residents who are returning to the U.S. after a stay of more than one year abroad.
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II. LIMITED IMMIGRANTS
The number of individuals who can immigrate each year in the following categories is limited by certain statutory formulas:
A. Family-Based Immigrants
Family-based preference categories include:
1. First Preference: Unmarried adult sons and daughters (21 years of age or older) of U.S. citizens, and their children.
2. Second Preference: Spouses, children, and unmarried sons and daughters of lawful permanent residents.
3. Third Preference: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and their spouses and children.
4. Fourth Preference: Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens, and their spouses and children, provided the U.S. citizens are over 21.
B. Employment-Based Immigrants
Employment-based preference categories include:
1. Priority Workers:
Persons of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
Outstanding professors and researchers.
Multinational executives and managers.
2. Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees and Aliens of Exceptional Ability:
Advanced degree professionals, including individuals with a Bachelors degree and at least five years of progressively responsible experience.
Persons of exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, and business.
3. Professionals, Skilled and Unskilled Workers:
Professionals holding baccalaureate degrees.
Skilled workers with at least two years experience.
Other workers whose skills are in short supply in the U.S.
4. Special Immigrants:
Certain religious workers, ministers of religion, certain international organization employees and their immediate family members, and qualified, recommended current and former U.S. government employees.
5. Investors: Persons who create employment for at least ten unrelated persons by investing capital in a new commercial enterprise in the U.S. The minimum capital required is between $500,000 and $1,000,000, depending on the employment rate in the geographic area.
C. Diversity Visa Lottery Immigrants
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