FAMILY SPONSORED VISAS

PREFERENCES

• First preference  - For unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
• Second preference(2)(a) - For spouses and children of lawful permanent residents.
• Second preference(2)(b)  - For unmarried sons and daughters of lawful permanent residents.
• Third preference - For married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
• Fourth preference  - For brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens.

PREFERENCES

• First preference  - For priority workers. "Priority Workers" consists of the following: a) those with an extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics through sustained national or international acclaim; b) outstanding professors and researchers; or c) certain multinational manager or executive.
• Second preference - For professionals holding advanced degrees and those with Exceptional Ability. Exceptional ability “means a degree of expertise significantly above  ordinary in the sciences, arts, or business.” 
• Third preference - For professionals, skilled and other workers. “Skilled workers” are those whose jobs require a minimum of 2 years training or experience, and not of a temporary or seasonal nature. “Professionals” are those whose job requires at least a U.S. baccalaureate or foreign equivalent degree and are a member of the professions.
• Fourth preference  - For certain special immigrants.
• Fifth preference - For investors & job creators who make necessary investment in a commercial enterprise in the United States and plan to create or preserve at least ten permanent full time jobs for qualified U.S. workers.  

Most of the family sponsored immigrant visas are issued based on numerical limitations, as the number of immigrants is limited each fiscal year.