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Immigrant Visas

Family Based

Statue of Liberty thumbnailPreference relatives may receive all of the visas not used by Immediate Relatives, but no less than 226,000 visas per year. Family based preference categories, with minimum limits indicated, include:


Family Based Preference Categories:Minimum Number of Visas Issued:
Unmarried Son or Daughter over the age of 21 of a U.S. citizen, and children, if any23,400
Spouse, Children, or Unmarried Son or Daughter of a Lawful Permanent Resident114,200
Married Son or Daughter of a U.S. Citizen, and their spouses and children23,400
Brother or Sister of a U.S. Citizen and their spouse and children, provided the U.S. citizen is over 2165,000


Immigration Process

If you qualify for a family based immigrant visa, the immigrant visa process includes the following steps:

1. File Petition

    The first step in applying for an immigrant visa is for the U.S. citizen (petitioner) to file an immigrant visa petition, Form I-130. The petition should be filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service office which has jurisdiction over the petitioner's residence.

    A separate petition must be filed for each person immigrating.

2. Assigned Immigrant Visa Number

    Please note that the family based visas are subject to a numerical limitation. All approved visa petitions are sent to the Department of State's National Visa Center (NVC), where it will remain until the priority date of the petition becomes current and an immigrant visa number is available. Check the Visa Bulletin for the latest priority dates.

    The NVC will notify the beneficiary of the petition when it is received and again when an immigrant visa number is available.

    If the beneficiary resides in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan, the approved petition will be forwarded to the U.S. Embassy in Almaty for immigrant visa processing, including the interview, when an immigrant visa number is available.

3. Application for Immigrant Visa and Interview

    Once the U.S. Embassy receives an approved petition, it contacts the applicant with an interview appointment and instructions package, explaining the document requirements for the interview and information about the required medical exam.

    If the documents meet the requirements, a visa will be issued on the NEXT working day. It is possible that applicants will have to spend the entire morning in the office before final action can be taken on the application. Should complications arise, you may have to return to our office another time.

    If a visa is refused, please see Visa Denials.