Different Types of Immigration Visas - High School

Immigration visas are granted by the United States government to foreign nationals, as official travel documents granting the legal right to live and work in the country indefinitely. The primary pathways to obtain permanent relocation into the United States are family-sponsored visas, employment based visas, and humanitarian programs.

Family-Based Visas

Family reunification is the most common pathway to permanent residency in the United States. Family-based visas are obtained through citizens and lawful permanent residents sponsoring close relatives. 

Immediate relative visas are reserved for spouses, unmarried children under the age of 21, and parents (if the sponsor is over age 21). Because these visas are not usually subject to numerical caps, the timeline for processing is much quicker.

Family-preference visas are generally available for more distant family relationships. This includes adult children or siblings of US citizens, or spouses and unmarried children of lawful permanent residents. These visas do have strict annual quotas, which often lead to long wait times for applicants. 

Employment Based Visas

Employment based visas are applicable for skilled workers, investors, and professionals intending to fill domestic labor shortages and boost the economy. Within the overarching category, there are five different preferences.

The First Preference, known as EB-1 is designed for priority workers possessing extraordinary ability in their field, as well as outstanding professors, researchers, and multinational managers.

EB-2 is reserved for individuals holding advanced degrees or with exceptional abilities in the arts, sciences, or business.

EB-3 is for skilled workers with at least 2 years of training or experience. It is also applicable to professionals with bachelor's degrees or unskilled workers.

EB-4 is a more specialized division, reserved for religious workers, broadcasters, or employees of international organizations.

Finally, EB-5 is known as the Immigrant Investor Program, which allows residency for foreign nationals who make a significant financial investment into a qualifying American commercial enterprise that creates or preserves jobs for domestic workers.

Humanitarian and Refugee Visas

The United States government also provides pathways for individuals fleeing persecution, natural disasters, or war.

Individuals who are outside of their home country, and are unwilling or unable to return due to a well-founded fear of persecution must seek the refugee or asylum path. Refugees apply from outside the host country, while asylum seekers apply while already in the country or at a port of entry.