Preference Category Relatives:
Family Preference Immigrant Visas have a yearly limit on the number issued for each category; depending on the category in which a family member is classified, the processing times may vary greatly.
|
Preference Categories |
Beneficiaries covered |
Number of immigrant visas available for each category per year |
| First (F1): | Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens (over 21) | 23,400 |
| Second:(F2A)
|
Spouses and unmarried children under 21 years old of lawful permanent residents. | 114,200
*At least seventy-seven percent of all visas available for this category will go to (F-2A) spouses and children of LPR’s; |
| Second:(F2B)
|
Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older). | |
| Third (F3): | Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and their spouses and minor children. (23,400) | 23,400 |
| Fourth(F4): | Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens, and their spouses and minor children, provided the U.S. citizens are at least 21 years of age. | 65,000 |
Derivative Beneficiary:
The principal beneficiary (relative who the immigrant visa is being applied for) can apply for derivatives beneficiaries (spouse/children). However, only family members in the preference categories can apply for beneficiaries. Immediate Relatives cannot apply for derivative beneficiaries.