U.S. immigration law (the Immigration and Nationality Act) establishes two categories of immigrant visas based on family relationships:  immediate relative and family preference.  You can learn more about these two categories of immigrant visas on the State Department’s visa information page.

To apply for an immediate relative or family preference immigrant visa, follow the steps on the Immigrant Visa Process page.  Once you have completed those steps, review the instructions given to you by the National Visa Center (NVC), along with the information presented on this website, for further guidance and instructions.

The immigrant visa process begins when an American citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident files a petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) of the Department of Homeland Security. U.S. citizens may file petitions for their spouses, children, fiancé(e), parents, and siblings.  Lawful Permanent Residents may file petitions for their unmarried children and spouses.

For additional information regarding the petition process, please visit the USCIS website.