42.11—Classification symbols.
A visa issued to an immigrant alien within one of the classes described below shall bear an appropriate visa symbol to show the classification of the alien.
| Symbol | Class | Section of law |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate Relatives | ||
| IR1 | Spouse of U.S. Citizen | 201(b). |
| IR2 | Child of U.S. Citizen | 201(b). |
| IR3 | Orphan Adopted Abroad by U.S. Citizen | 201(b) & 101(b)(1)(F). |
| IH3 | Child from Hague Convention Country Adopted Abroad by U.S. Citizen | 201(b) & 101(b)(1)(G). |
| IR4 | Orphan to be Adopted in U.S. by U.S. Citizen | 201(b) & 101(b)(1)(F). |
| IH4 | Child from Hague Convention Country to be Adopted in U.S. by U.S. Citizen | 201(b) & 101(b)(1)(G). |
| IR5 | Parent of U.S. Citizen at Least 21 Years of Age | 201(b). |
| CR1 | Spouse of U.S. Citizen (Conditional Status) | 201(b) & 216. |
| CR2 | Child of U.S. Citizen (Conditional Status) | 201(b) & 216. |
| IW1 | Certain Spouses of Deceased U.S. Citizens | 201(b). |
| IW2 | Child of IW1 | 201(b). |
| IB1 | Self-petition Spouse of U.S. Citizen | 204(a)(1)(A)(iii). |
| IB2 | Self-petition child of U.S. Citizen | 204(a)(1)(A)(iv). |
| IB3 | Child of IB1 | 204(a)(1)(A)(iii). |
| VI5 | Parent of U.S. Citizen Who Acquired Permanent Resident Status Under the Virgin Islands Nonimmigrant Alien Adjustment Act | 201(b) & sec. 2 of the Virgin Islands Nonimmigrant Alien Adjustment Act, (Pub. L. 97-271). |
| Vietnam Amerasian Immigrants | ||
| AM1 | Vietnam Amerasian Principal | 584(b)(1)(A) of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1988 (as contained in section 101(e) of Pub. L. 100-102) as amended. |
| AM2 | Spouse or Child of AM1 | 584(b)(1)(A) and 584(b)(1)(B) of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1988 (as contained in section 101(e) of Public Law 100-102) as amended. |
| AM3 | Natural Mother of AM1 (and Spouse or Child of Such Mother) or Person Who has Acted in Effect as the Mother, Father, or Next-of-Kin of AM1 (and Spouse or Child of Such Person) | 584(b)(1)(A) and 584(b)(1)(C) of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1988 (as contained in section 101(e) of Public Law 100-102) as amended. |
| Special Immigrants | ||
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| SB1 | Returning Resident | 101(a)(27)(A). |
| SC1 | Person Who Lost U.S. Citizenship by Marriage | 101(a)(27)(B) & 324(a). |
| SC2 | Person Who Lost U.S. Citizenship by Serving in Foreign Armed Forces | 101(a)(27)(B) & 327. |
| SI1 | Certain Aliens Employed by the U.S. Government in Iraq or Afghanistan as Translators or Interpreters | Section 1059 of Pub. L. 109-163 as amended by Pub. L. 110-36. |
| SI2 | Spouse of SI1 | Section 1059 of Pub. L. 109-163 as amended by Pub. L. 110-36. |
| SI3 | Child of SI1 | Section 1059 of Pub. L. 109-163 as amended by Pub. L. 110-36. |
| SM1 | Alien Recruited Outside the United States Who Has Served or is Enlisted to Serve in the U.S. Armed Forces for 12 Years | 101(a)(27)(K). |
| SM2 | Spouse of SM1 | 101(a)(27)(K). |
| SM3 | Child of SM1 | 101(a)(27)(K). |
| SQ1 | Certain Iraqis or Afghans Employed by or on Behalf of the U.S. Government | Section 602(b), Division F, Title VI, Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, Pub. L. 111-8 and Section 1244 of Pub. L. 110-181. |
| SQ2 | Spouse of SQ1 | Section 602(b), Division F, Title VI, Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, Pub. L. 111-8 and Section 1244 of Pub. L. 110-181. |
| SQ3 | Child of SQ1 | Section 602(b), Division F, Title VI, Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, Pub. L. 111-8 and Section 1244 of Pub. L. 110-181. |
| SU2 | Spouse of U1 | INA 245(m)(3) & INA 101(a)(15)(U)(ii). |
| SU3 | Child of U1 | INA 245(m)(3) & INA 101(a)(15)(U)(ii). |
| SU5 | Parent of U1 | INA 245(m)(3) & INA 101(a)(15)(U)(ii). |
| Family-Sponsored Preferences | ||
| Family 1st Preference | ||
| F11 | Unmarried Son or Daughter of U.S. Citizen | 203(a)(1). |
| F12 | Child of F11 | 203(d) & 203(a)(1). |
| B11 | Self-petition Unmarried Son or Daughter of U.S. Citizen | 204(a)(1)(A)(iv) & 203(a)(1). |
| B12 | Child of B11 | 203(d), 204(a)(1)(A)(iv) & 203(a)(1). |
| Family 2nd Preference (Subject to Country Limitations) | ||
| F21 | Spouse of Lawful Permanent Resident | 203(a)(2)(A). |
| F22 | Child of Lawful Permanent Resident | 203(a)(2)(A). |
| F23 | Child of F21 or F22 | 203(d) & 203(a)(2)(A). |
| F24 | Unmarried Son or Daughter of Lawful Permanent Resident | 203(a)(2)(B). |
| F25 | Child of F24 | 203(d) & 203(a)(2)(B). |
| C21 | Spouse of Lawful Permanent Resident (Conditional) | 203(a)(2)(A) & 216. |
| C22 | Child of Alien Resident (Conditional) | 203(a)(2)(A) & 216. |
| C23 | Child of C21 or C22 (Conditional) | 203(d) & 203(a)(2)(A) & 216. |
| C24 | Unmarried Son or Daughter of Lawful Permanent Resident (Conditional) | 203(a)(2)(B) & 216. |
| C25 | Child of F24 (Conditional) | 203(d) & 203(a)(2)(B) & 216. |
| B21 | Self-petition Spouse of Lawful Permanent Resident | 204(a)(1)(B)(ii). |
| B22 | Self-petition Child of Lawful Permanent Resident | 204(a)(1)(B)(iii). |
| B23 | Child of B21 or B22 | 203(d) & 204(a)(1)(B)(ii). |
| B24 | Self-petition Unmarried Son or Daughter of Lawful Permanent Resident | 204(a)(1)(B)(iii). |
| B25 | Child of B24 | 203(d) & 204(a)(1)(B)(iii). |
| Family 2nd Preference (Exempt from Country Limitations) | ||
| FX1 | Spouse of Lawful Permanent Resident | 202(a)(4)(A) & 203(a)(2)(A). |
| FX2 | Child of Lawful Permanent Resident | 202(a)(4)(A) & 203(a)(2)(A). |
| FX3 | Child of FX1 or FX2 | 202(a)(4)(A) & 203(a)(2)(A) & 203(d). |
| CX1 | Spouse of Lawful Permanent Resident (Conditional) | 202(a)(4)(A) & 203(a)(2)(A) & 216. |
| CX2 | Child of Lawful Permanent Resident (Conditional) | 202(a)(4)(A) & 203(a)(2)(A) & 216. |
| CX3 | Child of CX1 or CX2 (Conditional) | 202(a)(4)(A) & 203(a)(2)(A) & 203(d) & 216. |
| BX1 | Self-petition Spouse of Lawful Permanent Resident | 204(a)(1)(B)(ii). |
| BX2 | Self-petition Child of Lawful Permanent Resident | 204(a)(1)(B)(iii). |
| BX3 | Child of BX1 or BX2 | 204(a)(1)(B)(ii) & 203(d). |
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| Family 3rd Preference | ||
| F31 | Married Son or Daughter of U.S. Citizen | 203(a)(3). |
| F32 | Spouse of F31 | 203(d) & 203(a)(3). |
| F33 | Child of F31 | 203(d) & 203(a)(3). |
| C31 | Married Son or Daughter of U.S. Citizen (Conditional) | 203(a)(3) & 216. |
| C32 | Spouse of C31 (Conditional) | 203(d) & 203(a)(3) & 216. |
| C33 | Child of C31 (Conditional) | 203(d) & 203(a)(3) & 216. |
| B31 | Self-petition Married Son or Daughter of U.S. Citizen | 204(a)(1)(A)(iv) & 203(a)(3). |
| B32 | Spouse of B31 | 203(d), 204(a)(1)(A)(iv) & 203(a)(3). |
| B33 | Child of B31 | 203(d), 204(a)(1)(A)(iv) & 203(a)(3). |
| Family 4th Preference | ||
| F41 | Brother or Sister of U.S. Citizen at Least 21 Years of Age | 203(a)(4). |
| F42 | Spouse of F41 | 203(d) & 203(a)(4). |
| F43 | Child of F41 | 203(d) & 203(a)(4). |
| Employment-Based Preferences | ||
| Employment 1st Preference (Priority Workers) | ||
| E11 | Alien with Extraordinary Ability | 203(b)(1)(A). |
| E12 | Outstanding Professor or Researcher | 203(b)(1)(B). |
| E13 | Multinational Executive or Manager | 203(b)(1)(C). |
| E14 | Spouse of E11, E12, or E13 | 203(d) & 203(b)(1)(A) & 203(b)(1)(B) & 203(b)(1)(C). |
| E15 | Child of E11, E12, or E13 | 203(d) & 203(b)(1)(A) & 203(b)(1)(B) & 203(b)(1)(C). |
| Employment 2nd Preference (Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability) | ||
| E21 | Professional Holding Advanced Degree or Alien of Exceptional Ability | 203(b)(2). |
| E22 | Spouse of E21 | 203(d) & 203(b)(2). |
| E23 | Child of E21 | 203(d) & 203(b)(2). |
| Employment 3rd Preference (Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers) | ||
| E31 | Skilled Worker | 203(b)(3)(A)(i). |
| E32 | Professional Holding Baccalaureate Degree | 203(b)(3)(A)(ii). |
| E34 | Spouse of E31 or E32 | 203(d) & 203(b)(3)(A)(i) & 203(b)(3)(A)(ii). |
| E35 | Child of E31 or E32 | 203(d) & 203(b)(3)(A)(i) & 203(b)(3)(A)(ii). |
| EW3 | Other Worker (Subgroup Numerical Limit) | 203(b)(3)(A)(iii). |
| EW4 | Spouse of EW3 | 203(d) & 203(b)(3)(A)(iii). |
| EW5 | Child of EW3 | 203(d) & 203(b)(3)(A)(iii). |
| Employment 4th Preference (Certain Special Immigrants) | ||
| BC1 | Broadcaster in the U.S. employed by the International Broadcasting Bureau of the Broadcasting Board of Governors or a grantee of such organization | 101(a)(27)(M) & 203(b)(4). |
| BC2 | Accompanying spouse of BC1 | 101(a)(27)(M) & 203(b)(4). |
| BC3 | Accompanying child of BC1 | 101(a)(27)(M) & 203(b)(4). |
| SD1 | Minister of Religion | 101(a)(27)(C)(ii)(I) & 203(b)(4). |
| SD2 | Spouse of SD1 | 101(a)(27)(C)(ii)(I) & 203(b)(4). |
| SD3 | Child of SD1 | 101(a)(27)(C)(ii)(I) & 203(b)(4). |
| SE1 | Certain Employees or Former Employees of the U.S. Government Abroad | 101(a)(27)(D) & 203(b)(4). |
| SE2 | Spouse of SE1 | 101(a)(27)(D) & 203(b)(4). |
| SE3 | Child of SE1 | 101(a)(27)(D) & 203(b)(4). |
| SF1 | Certain Former Employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government | 101(a)(27)(E) & 203 (b)(4). |
| SF2 | Spouse or Child of SF1 | 101(a)(27)(E) & 203 (b)(4). |
| SG1 | Certain Former Employees of the U.S. Government in the Panama Canal Zone | 101(a)(27)(F) & 203 (b)(4). |
| SG2 | Spouse or Child of SG1 | 101(a)(27)(F) & 203 (b)(4). |
| SH1 | Certain Former Employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government on April 1, 1979 | 101(a)(27)(G) & 203 (b)(4). |
| SH2 | Spouse or Child of SH1 | 101(a)(27)(G) & 203(b)(4). |
| SJ1 | Certain Foreign Medical Graduates (Adjustments Only) | 101(a)(27)(H). |
| SJ2 | Accompanying Spouse or Child of SJ1 | 101(a)(27)(H) & 203(b)(4). |
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| SK1 | Certain Retired International Organization employees | 101(a)(27)(I)(iii) & 203(b)(4). |
| SK2 | Spouse of SK1 | 101(a)(27)(I)(iv) & 203(b)(4). |
| SK3 | Certain Unmarried Sons or Daughters of an International Organization Employee | 101(a)(27)(I)(i) & 203(b)(4). |
| SK4 | Certain Surviving Spouses of a deceased International Organization Employee | 101(a)(27)(I)(ii) & 203(b)(4). |
| SL1 | Juvenile Court Dependent (Adjustment Only) | 101(a)(27)(J) & 203(b)(4). |
| SN1 | Certain retired NATO6 civilians | 101(a)(27)(L) & 203(b)(4). |
| SN2 | Spouse of SN1 | 101(a)(27)(L) & 203(b)(4). |
| SN3 | Certain unmarried sons or daughters of NATO6 civilian employees | 101(a)(27)(L) & 203(b)(4). |
| SN4 | Certain surviving spouses of deceased NATO6 civilian employees | 101(a)(27)(L) & 203(b)(4). |
| SP | Alien Beneficiary of a petition or labor certification application filed prior to September 11, 2001, if the petition or application was rendered void due to a terrorist act of September 11, 2001. Spouse, child of such alien, or the grandparent of a child orphaned by a terrorist act of September 11, 2001 | Section 421 of Public Law 107-56. |
| SR1 | Certain Religious Workers | 101(a)(27)(C)(ii)(II) & (III) as amended, & 203(b)(4). |
| SR2 | Spouse of SR1 | 101(a)(27)(C)(ii)(II) & (III) as amended, & 203(b)(4). |
| SR3 | Child of SR1 | 101(a)(27)(C)(ii)(II) & (III) as amended, & 203(b)(4). |
| Employment 5th Preference (Employment Creation Conditional Status) | ||
| C51 | Employment Creation OUTSIDE Targeted Areas | 203(b)(5)(A). |
| C52 | Spouse of C51 | 203(d) & 203(b)(5)(A). |
| C53 | Child of C51 | 203(d) & 203(b)(5)(A). |
| T51 | Employment Creation IN Targeted Rural/High Unemployment Area | 203(b)(5)(B). |
| T52 | Spouse of T51 | 203(d) & 203 (b)(5)(B). |
| T53 | Child of T51 | 203(d) & 203(b)(5)(B). |
| R51 | Investor Pilot Program, Not in Targeted Area | 203(b)(5) & Sec. 610 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 (Pub. L. 102-395), as amended. |
| R52 | Spouse of R51 | 203(d) & 203(b)(5) & Sec. 610 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 (Pub. L. 102-395), as amended. |
| R53 | Child of R51 | 203(d) & 203(b)(5) & Sec. 610 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 (Pub. L. 102-395), as amended. |
| I51 | Investor Pilot Program, in Targeted Area | 203(b)(5) & Sec. 610 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 (Pub. L. 102-395), as amended. |
| I52 | Spouse of I51 | 203(d) & 203(b)(5) & Sec. 610 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 (Pub. L. 102-395), as amended. |
| I53 | Child of I51 | 203(d) & 203(b)(5) & Sec. 610 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 (Pub. L. 102-395), as amended. |
| Other Numerically Limited Categories | ||
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| Diversity Immigrants | ||
| DV1 | Diversity Immigrant | 203(c). |
| DV2 | Spouse of DV1 | 203(d) & 203(c). |
| DV3 | Child of DV1 | 203(d) & 203(c). |