There are multiple ways to get the greencard in the U.S. such as an employment-based greencard, a family-based greencard, a political-asylum based greencard, and so on. Within each type, there are many categories and sub-categories based on the relationship between the petitioner and sponsor, the legal status of the petitioner, job requirements, and so on.
Therefore, whenever a person gets a greencard, there is a code written under the label “Category”, and some people wonder what that means. The category is the class of admission that indicates how you got the greencard.
The following is the list of various classes of admission for the same.
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens
|
AR6 |
Children, adjustments, Amerasian |
|
CF1 |
Spouses, adjustments, entered as fiancé(e), conditional |
|
CF2 |
Children (step) of CF1, adjustments |
|
CR1 |
Spouses, new arrivals, conditional |
|
CR2 |
Children, new arrivals, conditional |
|
CR6 |
Spouses, adjustments, conditional |
|
CR7 |
Children, adjustments, conditional |
|
IB1 |
Spouses, new arrivals, self-petitioning |
|
IB2 |
Children, new arrivals, self-petitioning |
|
IB3 |
Children of IB1, new arrivals |
|
IB6 |
Spouses, adjustments, self-petitioning |
|
IB7 |
Children, adjustments, self-petitioning |
|
IB8 |
Children, adjustments, child of IB6 or IB7 |
|
IF1 |
Spouses, adjustments, entered as fiancé(e) |
|
IF2 |
Children of IF1, adjustments |
|
IR0 |
Parents of adult U.S. citizens, adjustments |
|
IR1 |
Spouses, new arrivals |
|
IR2 |
Children, new arrivals |
|
IR3 |
Orphans adopted abroad, new arrivals |
|
IR4 |
Orphans to be adopted, new arrivals |
|
IR5 |
Parents of adult U.S. citizens, new arrivals |
|
IR6 |
Spouses, adjustments |
|
IR7 |
Children, adjustments |
|
IR8 |
Orphans adopted abroad, adjustments |
|
IR9 |
Orphans to be adopted, adjustments |
|
IW1 |
Spouses, new arrivals, widowers |
|
IW2 |
Children of IW1 or IW6, new arrivals |
|
IW6 |
Spouses, adjustments, widowers |
|
IW7 |
Children of IW1 or IW6, adjustments |
Family preferences
1st preference
|
B16 |
Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, adjustments, self-petitioning |
|
F11 |
Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, new arrivals |
|
F12 |
Children of F11, and F16, new arrivals |
|
F16 |
Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, adjustments |
|
F17 |
Children of F11, and F16, adjustments |
2nd preference
|
B21 |
Spouses of alien residents, subject to country limits, new arrivals, self-petitioning |
|
B22 |
Children of alien residents, subject to country limits, new arrivals, self-petitioning |
|
B25 |
Child of a B24 or B29, new arrivals |
|
B26 |
Spouses of alien residents, subject to country limits, adjustments, self-petitioning |
|
B27 |
Children of alien residents, subject to country limits, adjustments, self-petitioning |
|
B28 |
Children of alien residents, subject to country limits, adjustments, self-petitioning child of B27, B21, B22, or B26 |
|
BX6 |
Spouses of alien residents, exempt from country limits, adjustments, self-petitioning |
|
BX7 |
Children of alien residents, exempt from country limits, adjustments, self-petitioning |
|
BX8 |
Children of alien residents, exempt from country limits, adjustments, self-petitioning child of BX7, BX1, BX2, or BX6 |
|
C21 |
Spouses of alien residents, subject to country limits, new arrivals, conditional |
|
C23 |
Children of 2nd preference spouse or child, subject to country limits, new arrivals, conditional |
|
C26 |
Spouses of alien residents, subject to country limits, adjustments, conditional |
|
CX6 |
Spouses of alien residents, exempt from country limits, adjustments, conditional |
|
CX7 |
Step-children of alien residents, exempt from country limits, conditional, adjustments |
|
F20 |
Children of unmarried sons and daughters of alien residents, subject to country limits, adjustments |
|
F21 |
Spouses of alien residents, subject to country limits, new arrivals |
|
F22 |
Children of alien residents, subject to country limits, new arrivals |
|
F23 |
Children of 2nd preference spouse or child, subject to country limits, new arrivals |
|
F24 |
Unmarried sons and daughters of alien residents, subject to country limits, new arrivals |
|
F25 |
Children of unmarried sons and daughters of alien residents, subject to country limits, new arrivals |
|
F26 |
Spouses of alien residents, subject to country limits, adjustments |
|
F27 |
Children of alien residents, subject to country limits, adjustments |
|
F28 |
Children of 2nd preference spouse or child, subject to country limits, adjustments |
|
F29 |
Unmarried sons and daughters of alien residents, subject to country limits, adjustments |
|
FX1 |
Spouses of alien residents, exempt from country limits, new arrivals |
|
FX2 |
Children of alien residents, exempt from country limits, new arrivals |
|
FX3 |
Children of 2nd preference spouse or child, exempt from country limits, new arrivals |
|
FX6 |
Spouses of alien residents, exempt from country limits, adjustments |
|
FX7 |
Children of alien residents, exempt from country limits, adjustments |
|
FX8 |
Children of 2nd preference spouse or child, exempt from country limits, adjustments |
3rd preference
|
A36 |
Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, Amerasians, adjustments |
|
B36 |
Married sons/daughters of U.S. citizens, adjustments, self-petitioning |
|
C37 |
Spouses of married sons/daughters of U.S. citizens, adjustments, conditional |
|
F31 |
Married sons/daughters of U.S. citizens, new arrivals |
|
F32 |
Spouses of married sons/daughters of U.S. citizens, new arrivals |
|
F33 |
Children of married sons/daughters of U.S. citizens, new arrivals |
|
F36 |
Married sons/daughters of U.S. citizens, adjustments |
|
F37 |
Spouses of married sons/daughters of U.S. citizens, adjustments |
|
F38 |
Children of married sons/daughters of U.S. citizens, adjustments |
4th preference
|
F41 |
Brothers/sisters of U.S. citizens, new arrivals |
|
F42 |
Spouses of brothers/sisters of U.S. citizens, new arrivals |
|
F43 |
Children of brothers/sisters of U.S. citizens, new arrivals |
|
F46 |
Brothers/sisters of U.S. citizens, adjustments |
|
F47 |
Spouses of brothers/sisters of U.S. citizens, adjustments |
|
F48 |
Children of brothers/sisters of U.S. citizens, adjustments |
Employment preferences
1st preference
|
E10 |
Children of E11, E12, E13, E16, E17, or E18, adjustments |
|
E11 |
Aliens with extraordinary ability, new arrivals |
|
E12 |
Outstanding professors or researchers, new arrivals |
|
E13 |
Multinational executives or managers, new arrivals |
|
E14 |
Spouses of E11, E12, E13, E16, E17, or E18, new arrivals |
|
E15 |
Children of E11, E12, E13, E16, E17, or E18, new arrivals |
|
E16 |
Aliens with extraordinary ability, adjustments |
|
E17 |
Outstanding professors or researchers, adjustments |
|
E18 |
Multinational executives or managers, adjustments |
|
E19 |
Spouses of E11, E12, E13, E16, E17, or E18, adjustments |
2nd preference
|
E21 |
Professionals holding advanced degrees, new arrivals |
|
E22 |
Spouses of E21 or E26, new arrivals |
|
E23 |
Children of E21 or E26, new arrivals |
|
E26 |
Professionals holding advanced degrees, adjustments |
|
E27 |
Spouses of E21 or E26, adjustments |
|
E28 |
Children of E21 or E26, adjustments |
3rd preference
|
E30 |
Children of E31, E32, E36, or E37, adjustments |
|
E31 |
Skilled workers, new arrivals |
|
E32 |
Professionals with baccalaureate degrees, new arrivals |
|
E34 |
Spouses of E31, E32, E36, or E37, new arrivals |
|
E35 |
Children of E31, E32, E36, or E37, new arrivals |
|
E36 |
Skilled workers, adjustments |
|
E37 |
Professionals with baccalaureate degrees, adjustments |
|
E39 |
Spouses of E31, E32, E36, or E37, adjustments |
|
EC6 |
Chinese Student Protection Act (CSPA) principals, adjustments |
|
EC8 |
Children of EC6, adjustments |
|
EW0 |
Children of EW3 or EW8, adjustments |
|
EW3 |
Needed unskilled workers, new arrivals |
|
EW4 |
Spouses of EW3 or EW8, new arrivals |
|
EW5 |
Children of EW3 or EW8, new arrivals |
|
EW8 |
Needed unskilled workers, adjustments |
|
EW9 |
Spouses of EW3 or EW8, adjustments |
4th preference
|
BC1 |
Broadcast (IBCB of BBG) employee, new arrivals |
|
BC2 |
Spouse of BC1, new arrivals |
|
BC3 |
Child of BC1, new arrivals |
|
BC6 |
Broadcast (IBCG of BBG) employee, adjustments |
|
BC7 |
Spouse of BC6, adjustments |
|
BC8 |
Children of BC6 broadcasting employees, adjustments |
|
SC6 |
Lost citizenship through marriage, adjustments |
|
SD1 |
Ministers, new arrivals |
|
SD2 |
Spouses of ministers, new arrivals |
|
SD3 |
Children of ministers, new arrivals |
|
SD6 |
Ministers, adjustments |
|
SD7 |
Spouses of ministers, adjustments |
|
SD8 |
Children of ministers, adjustments |
|
SE1 |
U.S. government employees abroad, new arrivals |
|
SE2 |
Spouses of SE1 or SE6, new arrivals |
|
SE3 |
Children of SE1 or SE6, new arrivals |
|
SE6 |
Employees of U.S. government abroad, adjustments |
|
SE7 |
Spouses of SE1 or SE6, adjustments |
|
SE8 |
Children of SE1 or SE6, adjustments |
|
SF6 |
Former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government, adjustments |
|
SF7 |
Spouses or children of SF1 or SF6, adjustments |
|
SG1 |
Former U.S. government employees in the Panama Canal Zone, new arrivals |
|
SG6 |
Former U.S. government employees in the Panama Canal Zone, adjustments |
|
SG7 |
Spouse or child of an SG1 or SG6, adjustments |
|
SK1 |
Retired employees of international organizations, new arrivals |
|
SK2 |
Spouses of SK1 or SK6, new arrivals |
|
SK3 |
Unmarried children of SK1 or SK6, new arrivals |
|
SK6 |
Retired employees of international organizations, adjustments |
|
SK7 |
Spouses of SK1 or SK6, adjustments |
|
SK8 |
Unmarried children of SK1 or SK6, adjustments |
|
SK9 |
Surviving spouses of SK1 or SK6, adjustments |
|
SL1 |
Juvenile court dependents, new arrivals |
|
SL6 |
Juvenile court dependents, adjustments |
|
SM1 |
U.S Armed Forces personnel, service (12 years) after 10/1/91, new arrivals |
|
SM2 |
Spouses of SM1 or SM6, new arrivals |
|
SM3 |
Children of SM1 or SM6, new arrivals |
|
SM6 |
U.S Armed Forces personnel, service (12 years) after 10/1/91, adjustments |
|
SM7 |
Spouses of SM1 or SM6 adjustments |
|
SM8 |
Children of SM1 or SM6, adjustments |
|
SM9 |
U.S Armed Forces personnel, service (12 years) by 10/91, adjustments |
|
SN8 |
Certain unmarried sons or daughters of SN6 (retired NATO employees), adjustments |
|
SR1 |
Religious workers, new arrivals |
|
SR2 |
Spouses of SR1 of SR6, new arrivals |
|
SR3 |
Children of SR1 or SR6, new arrivals |
|
SR6 |
Religious workers, adjustments |
|
SR7 |
Spouses of SR1 of SR6, adjustments |
|
SR8 |
Children of SR1 or SR6, adjustments |
5th preference
|
C51 |
Employment creation, not in targeted area, new arrivals, conditional |
|
C52 |
Spouses of C51 or C56, new arrivals, conditional |
|
C53 |
Children of C51 or C56, new arrivals, conditional |
|
C56 |
Employment creation, not in targeted area, adjustments, conditional |
|
C57 |
Spouses of C51 or C56, adjustments, conditional |
|
C58 |
Children of C51 or C56, adjustments, conditional |
|
I56 |
Employment creation, targeted area, pilot program, adjustments, conditional |
|
T51 |
Employment creation, targeted area, new arrivals, conditional |
|
T52 |
Spouses of T51 or T56, new arrivals, conditional |
|
T53 |
Children of T51 or T56, new arrivals, conditional |
|
T56 |
Employment creation, targeted area, adjustments, conditional |
|
T57 |
Spouses of T51 or T56, adjustments, conditional |
|
T58 |
Children of T51 or T56, adjustments, conditional |
Diversity
|
DV1 |
Principals, new arrivals |
|
DV2 |
Spouses of DV1 or DV6, new arrivals |
|
DV3 |
Children of DV1 or DV6, new arrivals |
|
DV6 |
Principals, adjustments |
|
DV7 |
Spouses of DV1 or DV6, adjustments |
|
DV8 |
Children of DV1 or DV6, adjustments |
Nicaraguan and Cuban nationals (Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act NACARA Section 202, P.L. 105-100) (adjustments)
|
NC6 |
Principals |
|
NC7 |
Spouses of NC6 |
|
NC8 |
Children of NC6 |
|
NC9 |
Unmarried sons or daughters of NC6 |
Haitian nationals (Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (HRIFA) (P.L. 105-277) (HA6) (adjustments)
|
HA6 |
Haitian asylum applicants |
|
HA7 |
Spouses of HA6 |
|
HA8 |
Children of HA6 |
|
HA9 |
Unmarried son or daughter of HA6 |
|
HB6 |
Haitian parolees |
|
HB7 |
Spouses of HB6 |
|
HB8 |
Children of HB6 |
|
HB9 |
Unmarried sons or daughters of HB6 |
|
HC6 |
Haitian children without parents |
|
HC7 |
Spouses of HC6 |
|
HC8 |
Children of HC6 |
|
HD6 |
Haitian children orphaned in U.S |
|
HE6 |
Haitian children abandoned by parents |
Parolees (adjustments)
|
ID6 |
Parolees, Indochinese |
|
LA6 |
Parolees, Soviet/Indochinese |
|
PH6 |
Parolees, Polish/Hungarian |
Refugees and Asylees (adjustments)
Refugees
|
CU6 |
Cuban refugees (P.L. 89-732 of 1966) |
|
CU7 |
Non-Cuban spouses or children of Cuban refugees |
|
IC6 |
Indochinese refugees (P.L. 95-145 of 1977) |
|
IC7 |
Spouse of child of Indochinese refugee not qualified as refugee on own |
|
RE6 |
Other refugees (P.L. 96-212 Refugee Act of 1980) |
|
RE7 |
Spouses of RE6 |
|
RE8 |
Children of RE6 |
|
RE9 |
Other relatives |
Asylees
|
AS6 |
Asylees, subject to 10,000 annual limit |
|
AS7 |
Spouses of AS6 |
|
AS8 |
Children of AS6 |
|
GA6 |
Iraqi asylees, not subject to annual limit; Guam processing |
|
GA7 |
Spouses of GA6 |
|
GA8 |
Children of GA6 |
|
SY6 |
Syrian asylees, not subject to 10,000 annual limit |
|
SY7 |
Spouses of Syrian asylees, not subject to annual limit |
|
SY8 |
Children of Syrian asylees, not subject to annual limit |
IRCA legalization (adjustments)
|
S26 |
Special Agricultural Workers (SAW) in 1986 |
|
W16 |
Entered without inspection before 1/1/82 |
|
W26 |
Entered as nonimmigrant and overstayed visa before 1/1/82 |
|
W36 |
Blanket enforced voluntary departure (EVD) group |
IRCA legalization (dependents)
|
CB6 |
Spouses of legalized aliens, adjustments, conditional |
|
LB1 |
Spouses of legalized aliens, new arrivals |
|
LB2 |
Children of LB1or LB6, new arrivals |
|
LB6 |
Spouses of legalized aliens, adjustments |
|
LB7 |
Children of LB1or LB6, adjustments |
Other
|
AM1 |
Amerasians, born in Vietnam between 1/1/62-1/1/76, new arrivals |
|
AM2 |
Spouses or children of AM1 or AM6, new arrivals |
|
AM3 |
Mothers, guardians, or next of kin of AM1 or AM6, new arrivals |
|
CH6 |
Cuban Haitian entrants, adjustments (P.L. 99-603) |
|
DS1 |
Individuals born under diplomatic status, adjustments, |
|
NA3 |
Children born abroad to alien residents |
|
S13 |
American Indians born in Canada, new arrivals |
|
W46 |
Late amnesty applicants (Immigration Reform and Control Act) |
|
XN3 |
Children born subsequent to issuance of parent’s visa other, new arrivals |
|
XE3 |
Children born subsequent to issuance of parent’s employment preference visa, new arrivals |
|
XF3 |
Children born subsequent to issuance of parent’s family preference visa, new arrivals |
|
XR3 |
Children born subsequent to issuance of parent’s immediate relative of U.S. citizen visa, new arrivals |
|
Z03 |
Entered 7/1/24-6/28/40, Section 249, P.L. 89-236, adjustments |
|
Z14 |
Battered spouses and children (Violence Against Women Act), P.L. 103-322 of 1994, subject to 4,000 annual limit |
|
Z15 |
Salvadoran, Guatemalan, and former Soviet bloc country nationals (NACARA Section 203, P.L. 105-100 of 1997) |
|
Z33 |
Entered before 7/1/24, Section 249, P.L. 89-236, adjustments |
|
Z43 |
Private bill, adjustments |
|
Z66 |
Entered 6/29/40-1/1/72, Section 249, P.L 89-236, adjustments |
|
Z83 |
Foreign government official who is immediate relative of U.S. citizen or special immigrant |
