{"id":352871,"date":"2022-08-19T07:42:51","date_gmt":"2022-08-19T12:42:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/immigration\/visas\/eligibility-and-preference-categories.html"},"modified":"2026-05-11T13:16:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T18:16:00","slug":"eligibility-and-preference-categories","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/immigration\/visas\/eligibility-and-preference-categories.html","title":{"rendered":"Immigration Eligibility and Preference Categories"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Immigration Eligibility and Preference Categories<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Meagan Neil, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Immigration preference categories<\/span> determine which family members<\/span> of U.S. citizens<\/span> or lawful permanent residents<\/span> can receive an immigrant visa<\/span> and how long they may need to wait based on their priority date<\/span>. Immediate relatives<\/span> of <\/span>U.S. citizens<\/span> receive visa numbers right away, while all other relatives fall into preference groups (F1\u2013F4) that have annual limits and longer wait times<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Understanding these categories helps you know:<\/p>\n