Minor unmarried children or spouses of a U.S. citizen; parent of an over-21-year-old U.S. citizen.

Unmarried adult child of a U.S. citizen.

Spouses and unmarried sons and daughters of lawful permanent residents.

Unmarried sons and daughters, over the age of 21, of lawful permanent residents.

Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.

Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens.

Priority workers who have “extraordinary ability” or are “outstanding professors and researchers” in their field. Also certain multinational executives and managers.

“Members of the professions holding advanced degrees” or “aliens of exceptional ability” in their field.

Skilled workers (2 years’ training or experience), professionals, and “other workers” (capable of performing unskilled, but not temporary or seasonal labor).

Special immigrants including ministers, religious workers, former U.S. government employees, and others.

Investors in job-creating enterprises in the U.S. ($500,000 to $1 million).

People who fear persecution in their home country based on their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Refugees are processed overseas, asylees within the United States.

An amnesty-like program for Nicaraguans and Cubans who entered the United States before December 1, 1995.

For Salvadorans, Guatemalans, and nationals of several former Soviet and Eastern European countries who entered the United States before 1990 (exact date varies by country) and who applied for asylum, “ABC,” or Temporary Protected Status by certain dates; they can apply for “suspension of deportation,” described below.

A remedy normally only available to persons placed in deportation proceedings before April 1, 1997. If the person can prove that he or she has lived in the United States for seven continuous years, has had good moral character, and that the person’s deportation would cause extreme hardship to his or her self or his or her spouse, parent, or children who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, a judge can grant the person permanent residency.

A remedy only available to persons in removal proceedings. If the person can prove that he or she has lived in the United States for ten continuous years, has good moral character, hasn’t been convicted of certain crimes, and that their deportation would cause exceptional and extreme hardship to his or her lawful permanent resident or U.S. citizen spouse, child, or parent, then a judge may approve the person for permanent residency.

For spouses and children of U.S. citizens and permanent residents who have been battered or been victims of extreme cruelty. If such persons can prove that they not only fall into this category but have lived continuously in the United States for three years, have been of good moral character and not committed certain crimes, and that their removal would cause extreme hardship to them, their child, or (if the applicant is a child), their parent, a judge may approve them for permanent residency.

People who have lived in the United States continuously since January 1, 1972 can apply to adjust status to permanent residence.

People from certain Congressionally designated countries experiencing war or civil strife; they may apply for a temporary right to stay in the United States until conditions in their home country have improved.

Diplomatic employees

Officials or employees of foreign governments

Business visitors

Tourists or visitors for medical treatment

For passing through at a U.S. airport or seaport

For people serving on a ship or plane, landing or docking temporarily

Treaty Traders

Treaty Investors

Students (academic), including at colleges, universities, seminaries, conservatories, academic high schools, other academic institutions, and in language training; and their spouses and children

Spouses and children of F-1 visa holders

Citizens or residents of Mexico or Canada commuting to the U.S. to attend an academic school

Employees of international organizations who are representing foreign governments; and their spouses and children

Temporary professionals (for specialty occupations such as doctors, engineers, physical therapists, computer professionals; must have at least a bachelor’s degree)

Nurses who will work for up to three years in areas of the U.S. where health professionals are recognized as being in short supply

Temporary agricultural workers coming to the U.S. to fill positions for which a temporary shortage of American workers has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture

Temporary agricultural workers

Trainees coming for temporary job training

Representatives of international media

Exchange visitors; and their spouses and children

Fiancées and fiancés of U.S. citizens and their children

Spouses of U.S. citizens awaiting approval of their marriage-based visa petition and a green card, and their children

Intracompany transferees working as executives, manager, or persons with specialized knowledge; and their spouses and children

Vocational students; and their spouses and children

Citizens or residents of Mexico or Canada commuting to the U.S. to attend vocational school

Parents of certain special immigrants

Children of certain special immigrants

Associates coming to the U.S. under applicable provisions of the NATO Treaty; and their spouses and children

Civilians accompanying military forces on missions authorized under the NATO Treaty

Attendants, servants, or personal employees of NATO-1 through NATO-6 visa holders

People with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, business, athletics, or education, and their support staff

Internationally reocgnized entertainers, performers, and athletes, and their support staff

Cultural exchange entertainers

Artists and entertainers in groups presenting culturally unique programs

Spouses and children of P-1, P-2, and P-3 visa holders

Exchange visitors in cultural exchange programs

Participants in the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program (Walsh visas)

Spouses and children of Q-1 visa holders

Religious leaders and workers; and their spouses and children

Witnesses in a criminal investigation

People coming to the U.S. to provide information about a terrorist organization

Women and children who are in the United States because they are victims of human trafficking, cooperating with law enforcement; and their spouses and children

Victims of criminal abuse in the United States who are assisting law enforcement authorities; and their spouses and children

Spouses and unmarried sons and daughters (2A) of U.S. lawful permanent residents who have already waited three years for approval of their visa petition or the availability of a green card, and whose visa petition was on file by December 21, 2000