Depending on a relationship to a U.S. citizen or green card holder (permanent resident) there are two groups of immigrant categories: unlimited and limited. Family immigration pages explain the process of brining family members to live in America. See family immigration. U.S. immigrants who come to the States as employment immigrants are divided into several groups. See employment immigration and work visas.

Green card lottery winners obtain diversity immigrant visas allowing them to live and work in the United States.

American citizens can obtain immigrant visas for their foreign adopted children as they are immediate relatives, see immigrant visa for a foreign child.

Spouses of U.S. citizens are able to receive IR1 or CR1 visas if they satisfy certain conditions, see immigrant visa for a husband or wife. Also see K3 spouse visa.

A fiancé of a U.S. citizen can apply for a K1 immigrant visa to travel to the United States to get married.