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The married adult son or daughter of a U.S. citizen is not an immediate relative. The married adult son or daughter is assigned to the F3 category (married son or daughter of a U.S. citizen).

A United States citizen may apply for his or her children who are unmarried and under the age of 21 and also possibly stepchildren.

citizen may apply for a foreign national fiancé/e

The spouse of a United States citizen is considered an “immediate relative*.” There are no derivatives for immediate relatives. This means that the foreign spouse’s children will not be included in the application. They must be applied for separately.

A United States citizen may apply for his or her biological or adoptive parents. However, if the United States citizen has been adopted, he or she is no longer allowed to apply for any biological parent whose parental rights were terminated. A United States citizen may be able to apply for stepparent(s).

The sibling of a United States citizen is not an immediate relative. The sibling is assigned to the F4 category (siblings of U.S. citizen).

In order to be admitted into the United States (even if already physically present in the United States), an intending immigrant must be found to be admissible. If a ground of inadmissibility applies, sometimes a waiver of inadmissibility is available.

The B visa category is divided into two sections: B-1, a visitor for Business; and B-2, a Visitor for Pleasure (Tourist). For both subcategories, the individual should be coming to the United States for a specific legal purpose, have funds to support him/herself while here, and be intending to return to his/her home country once the purpose of the visit is completed. B-1 and B-2 visitors are not (except in very limited circumstances) allowed to work or accept payment for work in the United States. Both B-1 and B-2 visitors can apply for extensions in the United States, unless entry was made as a visa waiver. The U.S. Immigration Service usually will want to see specific plans for departure before granting a B extension.

The person coming to the United States as a treaty trader or investor must be a national of a country that has a treaty with the United States to promote either trade or investment. The person must be coming to the United States to carry on substantial trade (E-1) or to invest a substantial amount of capital (E-2) in a non-marginal enterprise. The E-1/E-2 worker may also work in an “essential position” in a qualified enterprise - that is; the company is owned at least 50 percent by individual(s) from that person's treaty country. A company cannot sponsor E employees from more than one treaty country.

The prospective student must first be admitted to a school, which then issues an I-20. The student may apply then for an F-1 visa at a U.S. consulate or for a change of status to Student Status (if in a lawful status). The Immigration Service looks down on individuals entering as visitors or in another status and then applying for a change to student status shortly after entry.

This is the most common work visa for professional employment in the United States. In order to qualify, the employer/sponsor must be offering the beneficiary a position in a “specialty occupation.” This occupation normally requires completion of a bachelor's degree for entry into the occupation. The beneficiary must also possess a bachelor's degree in a specialized field or its equivalent through education and experience. The employer has certain wage and working condition requirements. Individuals are limited to six-years in H status: however, if an application for U.S. permanent residence has been pending for over one year, the individual may extend H-1 status beyond the six-year limit. This category allows dual intent, so a person can change to an immigrant status. There is a limit of 65,000 H-1Bs per U.S. government year, with up to 20,000 individuals with U.S. master's degrees or higher. Certain employers are exempt from the H-1B quota. The H-1B cap has been met very early in the U.S. government fiscal year in the past few years.

This category is often used for seasonal workers, or for a temporary position (to be completed in less than three years) or to relieve a “peak load”. The employer must first go through labor certification and advertise the position to prove that no qualified U.S. workers are available. The current cap is at 65,000.

J-1 visitors are admitted to the United States for purposes of participating in an exchange program. Exchange programs cover a wide variety of circumstances, including au pair, camp counselors, student summer work programs, practical training programs, and research and academic programs. J-1s are sometimes required to return to their home country for a two-year period before changing to certain other statuses or becoming a U.S. permanent resident.

This category is available only for an employee who has worked for an overseas employer for a minimum of one year, and is now being transferred to the foreign company's parent, subsidiary, branch office or affiliate in the United States. The employee must have worked as a manager or executive (L-1A), or else have “specialized knowledge” (L-1B) of the company, its products or processes. The maximum limit is five years for L-1B, seven years for L-1A.

This status is available only for citizens of Canada and Mexico, in specifically listed job categories, most of which are professional in nature. It does not allow dual intent (intent to immigrate to the United States). The status is given for a three-year period, but can be renewed indefinitely.