Immigrant Visas

General Information

Those who wish to enter the United States (U.S.) to reside there permanently, whether or not they plan to seek employment, must obtain an immigrant visa. U.S. immigration law provides for the issuance of immigrant visas in the following general categories:

• Family-based (including orphans)
• Employment-based
• Other (Returning Residents, K Visas)
• Diversity Immigrant Visa Program

Family-based (including orphans)

Listed below are the relatives of a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident who are eligible to qualify for immigration in the family-based category; orphans are also included. Click on a title to learn more.

Note: Grandparents, aunts, uncles, in-laws and cousins cannot sponsor a relative for immigration.

Spouse of a U.S. citizen
Child of a U.S. citizen	An immigrant visa may only be processed for a child if he or she has no claim to U.S. citizenship
Parent of a U.S. citizen	U.S. citizen must be 21 or over
Step-parent or step-child of a U.S. citizen	Step-parent, step-child relationship must occur before the child's 18th birthday
Spouse of a deceased U.S. citizen	A petition must be filed within two years of the death of the U.S. citizen
Orphan adopted abroad by a U.S. citizen
Orphan to be adopted in the U.S. by a U.S. citizen
Unmarried Son or Daughter of a U.S. citizen
Spouse and/or Child of a Lawful Permanent Resident
Unmarried Son or Daughter of a Lawful Permanent Resident	Son or Daughter must be 21 or over
Married Son or Daughter of a U.S. citizen
Brother or Sister of a U.S. citizen	U.S. citizen must be 21 or over

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Employment-based

In general, a specific offer of employment from a U.S. based employer is required to qualify for immigration in the employment-based category. Click on a title to learn more.

 

Priority Workers	Persons of extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, arts, business or athletics: outstanding professors and researchers & certain multinational executives & managers
Professionals with advanced degrees or persons with exceptional ability in sciences, arts, or business	Defined as a member of the professions holding an advanced degree or equivalent, or baccalaureate degree plus at least five years of progressive experience in the specialty, and persons of exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, and business
Professionals	A person who holds a baccalaureate degree and who is a member of the professions.
Skilled & Other Workers	Skilled workers with at least two years' training or experience and unskilled workers whose skills are in short supply in the U.S. Note: The U.S. Embassy and consulates in India do not keep a list of these professions
Special Immigrants	Certain religious workers and ministers of religion, certain international organization employees and their immediate family member, qualified and recommended current and former employees of the U.S. Government.
Investors	Persons who will create employment for at least ten unrelated persons by investing a minimum of $1,000,000 in a new commercial enterprise in the U.S.

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Other

Click on a title to learn more.

Returning Resident Aliens

Fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen and their children - K-1 & K-2 Visa

Spouse of U.S. citizen and their children - K-3 & K-4 Visas