Programs
Every major US immigration route in one place — 44 programs. Employment and family green cards link to live Visa Bulletin waits and the wait estimator; every page links to its official USCIS or State Department page.
General information only — not legal advice. Rules change; always verify at uscis.gov and travel.state.gov before acting.
Employment-based green cards (10)
EB-1A Extraordinary Ability
For people with extraordinary ability and sustained acclaim in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. No job offer or labor certification required; self-petition is possible.
EB-1B Outstanding Professors and Researchers
For internationally recognized professors and researchers with a job offer from a university, institution of higher education, or private research employer.
EB-1C Multinational Managers and Executives
For managers and executives transferring from a related company abroad to a US company in a managerial or executive role.
EB-2 Advanced Degree or Exceptional Ability
For professionals holding an advanced degree, or with exceptional ability in sciences, arts, or business. Usually requires a job offer and labor certification, unless waived.
EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW)
EB-2 without a job offer or labor certification, for work with substantial merit and national importance. The applicant must show they are well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor.
EB-3 Skilled Workers
For workers with at least two years of job experience or training. Requires a job offer and labor certification.
EB-3 Professionals
For workers with a US bachelor's degree or a foreign equivalent. Requires a job offer and labor certification.
EB-3 Other Workers
For workers in jobs requiring less than two years of training or experience. Requires a job offer and labor certification; waits are the longest in EB-3.
EB-4 Special Immigrants
For certain special immigrants, including religious workers, some employees of US government posts abroad, and other narrowly defined groups.
EB-5 Immigrant Investor
For investors who create US jobs: $800,000 in a targeted employment area or $1,050,000 elsewhere, under the 2022 reform law. Set-aside categories (rural, high-unemployment, infrastructure) have their own bulletin lines.
Family-sponsored green cards (9)
F1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of US Citizens
Unmarried sons and daughters (age 21 and over) of US citizens. Annual cap and country limits apply; waits are shown in the family chart of the Visa Bulletin.
F2A Spouses and Minor Children of Permanent Residents
Spouses and unmarried children under 21 of lawful permanent residents. Annual cap and country limits apply.
F2B Unmarried Adult Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents
Unmarried sons and daughters (age 21 and over) of lawful permanent residents. Annual cap and country limits apply.
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of US Citizens
Married sons and daughters of US citizens. Annual cap and country limits apply.
F4 Siblings of US Citizens
Brothers and sisters of adult US citizens (petitioner must be at least 21). Annual cap and country limits apply; waits are the longest in the family categories.
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse of a US Citizen
Spouses of US citizens are immediate relatives: no annual cap and no Visa Bulletin wait. IR-1 is for marriages over two years old; CR-1 is for marriages under two years.
IR-2 Child of a US Citizen
Unmarried children under 21 of US citizens are immediate relatives: no annual cap and no Visa Bulletin wait.
IR-5 Parent of a US Citizen
Parents of adult US citizens (petitioner must be at least 21) are immediate relatives: no annual cap and no Visa Bulletin wait.
K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa
Fiancé(e)s of US citizens admitted to marry within 90 days, then apply to adjust status. A nonimmigrant visa, not a green-card category itself.
Diversity Visa (1)
Diversity Visa Lottery
Annual lottery for nationals of countries with low US immigration rates. Entry is free and seasonal; winning does not guarantee a visa — winners must still qualify, pass checks, and act before the fiscal year ends.
Humanitarian protection (7)
Asylum
Protection for people already in the US who suffered persecution or fear it on protected grounds (race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group). Generally must be filed within one year of arrival, with exceptions.
Refugee Admissions
Resettlement for refugees referred from abroad, mostly through UNHCR. Annual admissions ceilings are set by the President; applicants are processed outside the US.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
Temporary status for nationals of designated countries facing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or other extraordinary conditions. Designations are country-specific and time-limited.
VAWA Self-Petition
Self-petition for abused spouses, children, or parents of US citizens or lawful permanent residents. No cooperation from the abuser is required.
U Visa (Crime Victims)
For victims of certain qualifying crimes who have suffered substantial abuse and help law enforcement. Subject to an annual cap; work authorization is possible while waiting.
T Visa (Trafficking Victims)
For victims of severe forms of human trafficking who are in the US and help law enforcement, with derivative status for qualifying family members.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
Deferred action and work authorization for certain people who came to the United States as children and meet the original DACA guidelines. DACA does not give lawful immigration status and is not a path to a green card or citizenship on its own.
Temporary work visas (14)
H-1B Specialty Occupations
Specialty occupations requiring a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Annual cap with a lottery: 65,000 regular plus 20,000 for US advanced-degree holders.
H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers
Temporary agricultural work. No annual cap; employer-driven, with housing and transportation duties for the employer.
H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers
Temporary non-agricultural work, often seasonal or peak-load. Subject to a semiannual cap, with supplemental releases in some years.
L-1A Intracompany Transferee (Managers and Executives)
Intracompany transfer for executives and managers moving from a related company abroad to a US office.
L-1B Intracompany Transferee (Specialized Knowledge)
Intracompany transfer for employees with specialized knowledge of the company's products, processes, or procedures.
O-1 Extraordinary Ability or Achievement
Extraordinary ability or achievement in sciences, education, business, athletics, arts, or motion picture and television.
TN Professionals (USMCA)
Professionals from Canada and Mexico in listed occupations under the USMCA trade agreement. No annual cap; admission is tied to the qualifying profession.
E-1 Treaty Trader
For nationals of treaty countries carrying on substantial trade with the US. Canada and Mexico both hold E treaties; visa terms vary by treaty.
E-2 Treaty Investor
For nationals of treaty countries investing a substantial amount in a US business they will develop and direct. Canada and Mexico both hold E treaties.
J-1 Exchange Visitor
Exchange programs: trainees, researchers, au pairs, teachers, and others. Some categories carry a two-year home-residence requirement before certain later visas.
E-3 Australian Specialty Occupation Professionals
Specialty-occupation work for Australian nationals only, under a dedicated annual cap. Like H-1B, it requires a qualifying specialty-occupation job and a certified Labor Condition Application; unlike H-1B, there is no lottery, and status is granted in two-year increments that can be renewed.
H-3 Nonimmigrant Trainee
Training in the United States for people invited to receive training that is not available in their home country, including a separate track for special education exchange visitors. The training must be genuine training, not productive employment that fills an ordinary job.
P-1 Athletes and Entertainment Groups
Internationally recognized athletes, teams, and entertainment groups coming to compete or perform at an internationally recognized level, plus essential support personnel. The petitioner must show the required level of recognition and the specific event or activity.
R-1 Temporary Religious Workers
Temporary religious work for ministers and people in religious vocations or occupations, employed at least part time by a bona fide nonprofit religious organization in the United States. The worker must generally have belonged to the same denomination for at least two years before the petition.
Study and visit (3)
F-1 Academic Student
Academic study at approved schools. On-campus work is limited; practical training (OPT) is possible during or after study.
M-1 Vocational Student
Vocational or non-academic study at approved institutions. Work options are far more limited than for F-1 students.
B-1 / B-2 Visitor
Business visits and tourism. No US employment is allowed on a visitor visa; a change to another status requires a separate application.