Family-based Permanent Visas Overview video provides a general information about Family Based Permanent Visas. You will find out who can petition on behalf of the family members for immigration visas or green cards. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in 2012 there were 1,031,631 immigrant admissions in the United States and 680,799 of these admissions were Family-sponsored immigrants. We will get you familiar with the two categories of the family-based permanent visa: Immediate Relative Immigrant Visas and Family Preference Immigrant Visas. In this video we will inform you about the particularities of each category and the necessary documents in order to get the visa. The first category is based on close family relationship with a United States citizen described as an Immediate Relative. The number of immigrants in these categories is not limited each fiscal year. Immediate relative visa types include: IR-1 Spouse of a U.S. Citizen, IR-2 Unmarried Child 21 Years of age of a U.S. Citizen, IR-3 Orphan adopted abroad by a U.S. Citizen, IR-4 Orphan to be adopted in the U.S. By a U.S. Citizen, IR-5 Parent of a U.S. Citizen who is at least 21 years old. The second category is for specific, more distant, family relationships with a U.S. Citizen and some specified relationships with a lawful permanent resident (LPR). There are fiscal year numerical limitations on family preference immigrants, shown at the end of each category. The family preference categories are: Family First Preference (F1), Family Second Preference (F2), Family Third Preference (F3), Family Fourth Preference (F4). You will get useful information concerning fees that must be paid, required documentation, visa interview, medical examination and vaccinations. For more detailed information about the application process and application fees please, watch our video.