The United States government has outlined two major family based immigrant visa categories for foreign nationals seeking permanent residence in the country through qualifying family relationships.
The two categories are Immediate Relative visas and Family Preference visas, with significant differences in eligibility requirements and visa availability.
According to the US Department of State’s September 2026 Visa Bulletin, foreign nationals seeking permanent residence through family sponsorship must obtain an immigrant visa and satisfy the requirements applicable to their category.
The Immediate Relative category covers spouses of US citizens, unmarried children under 21 of US citizens and parents of US citizens who are at least 21 years old.
Why Makinde dumped placeholder, Chose Ex-DSS Boss Daura as His 2027 Running Mate
FG Opens Recruitment Into Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service — How to Apply
Unlike family preference visas, Immediate Relative visas are not subject to an annual numerical limit.
The Family Preference category, on the other hand, covers certain family relationships involving US citizens and lawful permanent residents, commonly known as green card holders.
The 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.
These visas are subject to annual numerical limits, meaning eligible applicants may have to wait until a visa becomes available.
The State Department said the fiscal year 2026 limit for family sponsored preference immigrants was 226,000.
The department lists five preference categories: F1 for unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens; F2A for spouses and children of permanent residents; F2B for unmarried sons and daughters aged 21 or older of permanent residents; F3 for married sons and daughters of US citizens; and F4 for brothers and sisters of adult US citizens.
For September, the bulletin lists the final action date for F1 applicants from most chargeability areas as January 22, 2020. The F2A final action date is August 22, 2026, while F2B is August 22, 2019.
The final action date for F3 is October 22, 2014, while F4 is October 22, 2011, for the same group of chargeability areas.
Nigeria Facing ₦50tn Financing Crisis, Economy Cannot Grow on 30% Loans, CPPE Warns
‘I Clothed Obasanjo, Fed his family, Built Alliances That Made Him President’ – Atiku
The bulletin provides separate dates for applicants chargeable to China, India, Mexico and the Philippines because of country specific visa limits and demand.
For Nigerians seeking to relocate to the United States through family sponsorship, understanding the distinction between the two categories is important because Immediate Relative visas are not subject to the annual numerical cap, while Family Preference visas are.
The State Department also cautioned that visa availability can change during the fiscal year and that retrogression may become necessary if demand rises or annual limits are reached.
