If you are an individual who is hoping to apply and be approved for a U.S. immigrant visa, it is important that you understand the multiple types of visas that are available, and which one you may qualify for. For help filing your visa application in an accurate and proficient manner, an immigration attorney is key.
Immediate Relative & Family Sponsored Visas
The first, and most common, type of immigrant visa is a visa that is sponsored by an individual’s immediate relative or/and family. Within this broad category, there are six specific categories of immigrant visas. These are:
- Spouse of a U.S. citizen visa – IR1, CR1;
- Spouse of a U.S. citizen awaiting approval on immigrant petition – K-3;
- Fiancé to marry U.S. citizen – K-1;
- Intercountry adoption of orphan children by U.S. citizens – IR3, IH3, IR4, IH4;
- Certain family members of U.S. citizens – IR2, CR2, IR5, F1, F3, F4;
- Certain family members of lawful permanent residents – F2A, F2B.
Employer Sponsored Visas
In some cases, a person may be able to enter the U.S. without any familial connections. This is true in the event that the applicant is seeking an employer-sponsored visa. Those who may seek an employment-sponsored visa include:
- Religious workers;
- Certain interpreters;
- Iraqis or Afghans who work on the behalf of the U.S. government;
- Professionals and those holding advanced degrees;
- Priority workers; and
- Certain special immigrants.
Unless you have a very specific, unique, and coveted skill set, it is unlikely that you will be able to qualify for an employer-sponsored visa to enter the U.S.
Other Immigrant Visas that Are Available
If you do not qualify for an employer-sponsored visa or a visa sponsored by an immediate relative or family member, there are two other immigrant visas for which you may qualify: a returning resident visa – SB, or a diversity immigrant visa – DV. The latter is provided to a limited number of immigrants per year, and only to those people from countries with low rates of immigration. For example, immigrants from countries such as Albania, Romania, or Turkey may be considered.
Legal Assistance in Applying for Your Immigrant Visa
Not only is knowing which visa that you may qualify for difficult, but filing a visa application and going through the visa process is incredibly time consuming and complex. If you make any errors on your application process, you may have to start the entire process over.
To aid you throughout the process of filing an application for an immigrant visa to the U.S., reach out to the skilled immigration attorneys at Goldstein Immigration Lawyers We have experience helping immigrants just like you – meet with us today to discuss your immigrant status by clicking the link below.
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I filed an I-130 for my husband in October 2025 after I obtained my greencard in July 2025. Processing times for I-130 for him is up to 35 months then the greencard application begins which could be 3-5 years. All the while he has to remain in status and continue to leave the country for extended periods of time. It breaks my heart and I don’t know what to do. I am not sure if you are able to help or not.
Following up on this — we know it’s been a little while since you left this comment, but we didn’t want it to go unanswered. What you’re describing is genuinely hard: watching the calendar add up on an I-130, knowing your husband has to maintain status and keep leaving the country in the meantime, all while you’re doing everything the right way. That kind of waiting takes a real toll, and it makes complete sense that it weighs on you.
We can’t speak to your specific case or timeline here in the comments but we don’t want you to keep sitting with this uncertainty. Click “Schedule a Discovery Session” at the top of this page. We’re here whenever you’re ready.