Mike

Categories of Family Immigration, Numerical Limits, and Approximate Length of Wait for Visa

Visa Category -: Immediate Relative
Citizenship Status of U.S. Family Member -: U.S. Citizen
Relationship of Intending Immigrant to U.S. Family Member -: Spouse, unmarried minor child, parent
Annual Numerical Limit -: No limit
Length of Wait for Visas in this Category (As of January 2005) -: No quota limit backlog. Application processing backlog may be several months.

Visa Category -: First Family Preference
Citizenship Status of U.S. Family Member -: U.S. Citizen
Relationship of Intending Immigrant to U.S. Family Member -: Unmarried adult children (21 years or older)
Annual Numerical Limit -: 23,400
Length of Wait for Visas in this Category (As of January 2005) -: 4 years for most countries

Visa Category -: Second A Family Preference
Citizenship Status of U.S. Family Member -: U.S. Legal Permanent Resident
Relationship of Intending Immigrant to U.S. Family Member -: Spouse, minor child
Annual Numerical Limit -: 87,900
Length of Wait for Visas in this Category (As of January 2005) -: 4 years, 4 months for most countries

Visa Category -: Second B Family Preference
Citizenship Status of U.S. Family Member -: U.S. Legal Permanent Resident
Relationship of Intending Immigrant to U.S. Family Member -: Unmarried adult children (21 years or older)
Annual Numerical Limit -: 26,300
Length of Wait for Visas in this Category (As of January 2005) -: 9 years, 5 months for most countries

Visa Category -: Third Family Preference
Citizenship Status of U.S. Family Member -: U.S. Citizen
Relationship of Intending Immigrant to U.S. Family Member -: Married adult children
Annual Numerical Limit -: 23,400
Length of Wait for Visas in this Category (As of January 2005) -: 7 years, 1 month for most countries

Visa Category -: Fourth Family Preference
Citizenship Status of U.S. Family Member -: U.S. Citizen
Relationship of Intending Immigrant to U.S. Family Member -: Brothers and sisters
Annual Numerical Limit -: 65,000
Length of Wait for Visas in this Category (As of January 2005) -: 12 years, 1 month for most countries