The United States Government has outlined two major family-based immigrant visa categories available to foreigners seeking permanent residence through qualifying family relationships.
According to the US Department of State, the two categories are Immediate Relative visas and Family Preference visas. Applicants must obtain an immigrant visa and meet the requirements applicable to their particular category.
The Immediate Relative category is designed for close relatives of US citizens. It covers spouses of US citizens, unmarried children under 21 and parents of US citizens who are at least 21 years old.
One major advantage of the Immediate Relative category is that the number of visas issued under it is not subject to an annual numerical limit.
The second route is the Family Preference category, which covers certain family relationships involving US citizens and lawful permanent residents, commonly known as Green Card holders.
This category includes unmarried sons and daughters aged 21 or older of US citizens, spouses and unmarried children of lawful permanent residents, married sons and daughters of US citizens, and brothers and sisters of adult US citizens.
Unlike Immediate Relative visas, Family Preference visas are subject to annual numerical limits. As a result, eligible applicants may have to wait for a visa number to become available based on their category and priority date.
The US Department of State's September 2026 Visa Bulletin continues to set priority dates for the family-sponsored preference categories, including F1, F2A, F2B, F3 and F4. Visa availability can also differ depending on the applicant's country of chargeability.
For Nigerians seeking to relocate to the United States through family sponsorship, understanding the distinction between the two categories is important. A qualifying immediate relative of a US citizen is not subject to the annual numerical cap that applies to family-preference categories, while preference applicants may face waiting periods.
The US government generally requires the sponsoring citizen or permanent resident to begin the family-based immigration process by filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. Each sponsored relative generally requires a separate petition.
After an approved petition, the remaining process depends on whether the beneficiary is already in the United States or applying from abroad. Those outside the country generally proceed through consular processing, while eligible applicants already in the US may pursue adjustment of status.
The State Department said a foreign citizen seeking to live permanently in the US through family immigration must meet the relevant eligibility requirements and obtain an immigrant visa before entering as a permanent resident.
The clarification provides an important guide for families planning to reunite in the United States and highlights why applicants should determine the correct visa category before beginning the immigration process.
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