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The Green Card category code is used to describe the immigrant visa category that corresponds to the
immigration petition you filed. It is located on the front side of the Green Card next to the cardholder’s USCIS number. This field is also known as class of admission.
The Green Card category number is typically composed of one or two letters followed by a number.
When applying for a Green Card or Lawful Permanent Residency, you may frequently see Green Card Codes such as E11, F41, IR1, and others that are used in visa wait times. This code will also appear on the Green Card that is handed to you once the process is completed. In this article, we will define the Green Card or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) Category code and go over the entire list with specifics.
What is Green Card Category Code? LPR Category Code?
The Green Card Category code specifies the category under which a Green Card or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) card would be issued. It begins with an Alphabet and is followed by a number, such as C26, E11, F21, and so on. After you go through the process and acquire the physical green card, the LPR category code also appears on it under the title ‘Category’.
See the screenshot below to see where and how the Green Card code displays. The letters ‘IR1’ beneath ‘Category’ in the screenshot below signify the green card category code.
The category code also specifies whether the green card was issued as a regular or conditional permanent resident. Normal green cards have a validity duration of ten years. However, conditional green cards are issued for a period of two years. Conditional green cardholders should remove conditions before the card expires.
Some of the Green Card Category Codes appear to be close to or the same as the USCIS EAD Category Codes, however they are not. The EAD category codes are related to the Employment Authorization Document (EAD). For example, the C26 value in the EAD Category code denotes an EAD issued to H4 visa holders. In contrast, the Green Card category code ‘C26’ is assigned to spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents who are subject to country constraints and obtain green cards through the adjustment of status option.
Green Card Category Codes List grouped by paths to green Card
You can get Green Card by various paths like family sponsorship, employment, asylum, etc. There are over 100 green card categories. We have outlined below various green card category codes by your path to getting a green card. Each of the paths also has sub-sections for easy review.
Below is a summary of the legend and additional information on what some terms mean.
Immediate relatives of US Citizens – Green Card Category Codes
The bulk of green cards issued in any given year are for immediate relatives of US citizens, such as spouses, children, and parents. The green card categories listed below are for immediate relatives of US citizens, such as children, spouses, or parents.
| Category Code | Description of Green Card Category Code |
| AR1 | Children of US Citizen – Amerasian, issued for new arrivals |
| AR6 | Children of US Citizen – Amerasian, issued for adjustment of status |
| CF1 | Spouse of US Citizen, who entered America as a fiance(e) – issued for adjustment of status, conditional green card |
| CF2 | Children of CF1 category – issued for adjustment of status, conditional green card |
| CR1 | Spouse of US Citizen – issued for new arrivals, conditional green card |
| CR2 | Children of US Citizen – issued for new arrivals, conditional green card |
| CR6 | Spouse of US Citizen – issued for adjustment of status, conditional green card |
| CR7 | Children of US Citizen – issued for adjustment of status, conditional green card |
| IB0 | Parents of US Citizens, who were battered or abused – issued for adjustment of status and self-petitioned |
| IB1 | Spouse of US Citizen – issued for new arrivals, self-petitioned |
| IB2 | Children of US Citizen – issued for new arrivals, self-petitioned |
| IB3 | Children of US Citizen – of IB1 or IB6issued for new arrivals |
| IB5 | Parents of US Citizens, who were battered or abused – issued for new arrivals, self-petitioned |
| IB6 | Spouse of US Citizen – issued for adjustment of status, self-petitioned |
| IB7 | Children of US Citizen – issued for adjustment of status, self-petitioned |
| IB8 | Children of IB1 or IB6 – issued for adjustment of status |
| IF1 | Spouse of US Citizen, who entered America as fiance(e) – issued for adjustment of status |
| IF2 | Children of IF1 – issued for adjustment of status |
| IH3 | Children of US Citizen adopted abroad under the Hague Convention – issued for new arrivals |
| IH4 | Children of US Citizen to be adopted under the Hague Convention – issued for new arrivals |
| IH8 | Children of US Citizen adopted abroad under the Hague Convention – issued for adjustment of status |
| IH9 | Children of US Citizen to be adopted under the Hague Convention – issued for adjustment of status |
| IR0 | Parents of adult US citizens – issued for adjustment of status |
| IR1 | Spouse of US Citizen – issued for new arrivals |
| IR2 | Children of US Citizen – issued for new arrivals |
| IR3 | Orphans adopted abroad by US Citizens – issued for new arrivals |
| IR4 | Orphans to be adopted by US Citizens – issued for new arrivals |
| IR5 | Parents of adult US Citizen – issued for new arrivals |
| IR6 | Spouse of US Citizen – issued for adjustment of status |
| IR7 | Children of US Citizen – issued for adjustment of status |
| IR8 | Orphans adopted abroad by US Citizens – issued for adjustment of status |
| IR9 | Orphans to be adopted by US Citizens – issued for adjustment of status |
| IW1 | Spouse of US Citizen, who are widows or widowers – issued for new arrivals |
| IW2 | Children of IW1 or IW6 – issued for new arrivals |
| IW6 | Spouse of US Citizen, who are widows or widowers, issued for adjustment of status |
| IW7 | Children of IW1 or IW6 – issued for adjustment of status |
Family Based Green Card Category Codes List
Green cards for family links between US citizens and lawful permanent residents are issued. There are numerous subcategories within the family-based green card path. First Preference (F1), Second Preference (F2A, F2B), Third Preference (F3), and Fourth Preference (F4) are defined. For your convenience, we have broken the family-based green card category codes into sections.
Family Based – Second Preference Category
| Category Code | Description of Green Card Category Code |
| B20 | Children of B24 or B29, who are subject to country limits – issued for adjustment of status |
| B21 | Spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are subject to country limits – issued for new arrivals , self-petitioned |
| B22 | Children of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are subject to country limits – issued for new arrivals , self-petitioned |
| B23 | Children of B21, B22, B26, or B27, who are subject to country limits – issued for new arrivals |
| B24 | Unmarried sons/daughters of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are subject to country limits – issued for new arrivals , self-petitioned |
| B25 | Children of B24 or B29, who are subject to country limits – issued for new arrivals |
| B26 | Spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are subject to country limits – issued for adjustment of status , self-petitioned |
| B27 | Children of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are subject to country limits – issued for adjustment of status , self-petitioned |
| B28 | Children of B21, B22, B26, or B27, who are subject to country limits – issued for adjustment of status |
| B29 | Unmarried sons/daughters of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are subject to country limits – issued for adjustment of status , self-petitioned |
| BX1 | Spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are exempt from country limits – issued for new arrivals , self-petitioned |
| BX2 | Children of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are exempt from country limits – issued for new arrivals , self-petitioned |
| BX3 | Children of BX1, BX2, BX6, or BX7, who are exempt from country limits – issued for new arrivals |
| BX6 | Spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are exempt from country limits – issued for adjustment of status , self-petitioned |
| BX7 | Children of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are exempt from country limits – issued for adjustment of status , self-petitioned |
| BX8 | Children of BX1, BX2, BX6, or BX7, who are exempt from country limits – issued for adjustment of status |
| C20 | Children of C24 or C29, who are subject to country limits – issued for adjustment of status , conditional green card |
| C21 | Spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are subject to country limits – issued for new arrivals , conditional green card |
| C22 | Children of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are subject to country limits – issued for new arrivals , conditional green card |
| C23 | Children of C21, C22, C26, or C27, who are subject to country limits – issued for new arrivals , conditional green card |
| C24 | Unmarried children of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are subject to country limits – issued for new arrivals , conditional green card |
| C25 | Children of C24 or C29, who are subject to country limits – issued for new arrivals , conditional green card |
| C26 | Spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are subject to country limits – issued for adjustment of status , conditional green card |
| C27 | Children of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are subject to country limits – issued for adjustment of status , conditional green card |
| C28 | Children of C21, C22, C26, or C27, who are subject to country limits – issued for adjustment of status , conditional green card |
| C29 | Unmarried children of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are subject to country limits – issued for adjustment of status , conditional green card |
| CX1 | Spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are exempt from country limits – issued for new arrivals , conditional green card |
| CX2 | Children of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are exempt from country limits – issued for new arrivals , conditional green card |
| CX3 | Children of CX2 or CX7, who are exempt from country limits – issued for new arrivals , conditional green card |
| CX6 | Spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are exempt from country limits – issued for adjustment of status , conditional green card |
| CX7 | Children of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are exempt from country limits – issued for adjustment of status , conditional green card |
| CX8 | Children of CX2 or CX7, who are exempt from country limits – issued for adjustment of status , conditional green card |
| F20 | Children of F24 or F29, who are subject to country limits – issued for adjustment of status |
| F21 | Spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are subject to country limits – issued for new arrivals |
| F22 | Children of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are subject to country limits – issued for new arrivals |
| F23 | Children of F21, F22, F26, or F27, who are subject to country limits – issued for new arrivals |
| F24 | Unmarried sons/daughters of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are subject to country limits – issued for new arrivals |
| F25 | Children of F24 or F29, who are subject to country limits – issued for new arrivals |
| F26 | Spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are subject to country limits – issued for adjustment of status |
| F27 | Children of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are subject to country limits – issued for adjustment of status |
| F28 | Children of F21, F22, F26, or F27, who are subject to country limits – issued for adjustment of status |
| F29 | Unmarried sons/daughters of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are subject to country limits – issued for adjustment of status |
| FX1 | Spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are exempt from country limits – issued for new arrivals |
| FX2 | Children of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are exempt from country limits – issued for new arrivals |
| FX3 | Children of FX1, FX2, FX7, or FX8, who are exempt from country limits – issued for new arrivals |
| FX6 | Spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are exempt from country limits – issued for adjustment of status |
| FX7 | Children of Lawful Permanent Residents(Green Card holders), who are exempt from country limits – issued for adjustment of status |
| FX8 | Children of FX1, FX2, FX7, or FX8, who are exempt from country limits – issued for adjustment of status |
Family Based – Third Preference Category
| Category Code | Description of Green Card Category Code |
| A31 | Married Amerasian sons/daughters of US citizens – issued for new arrivals |
| A32 | Spouses of A31 or A36 – issued for new arrivals |
| A33 | Children of A31 or A36, who are subject to country limits – issued for new arrivals |
| A36 | Married Amerasian sons/daughters of US citizens – issued for adjustment of status |
| A37 | Spouses of A31 or A36 – issued for adjustment of status |
| A38 | Children of A31 or A36, who are subject to country limits – issued for adjustment of status |
| B31 | Married sons/daughters of US citizens – issued for new arrivals, self-petitioned |
| B32 | Spouses of B31 or B36 – issued for new arrivals |
| B33 | Children of B31 or B36, who are subject to country limits – issued for new arrivals |
| B36 | Married sons/daughters of US citizens – issued for adjustment of status, self-petitioned |
| B37 | Spouses of B31 or B36 – issued for adjustment of status |
| B38 | Children of B31 or B36, who are subject to country limits – issued for adjustment of status |
| C31 | Married sons/daughters of US citizens – issued for new arrivals, conditional green card |
| C32 | Spouses of C31 or C36 – issued for new arrivals, conditional green card |
| C33 | Children of C31 or C36, who are subject to country limits – issued for new arrivals, conditional green card |
| C36 | Married sons/daughters of US citizens – issued for adjustment of status, conditional green card |
| C37 | Spouses of married sons/daughters of US citizens – issued for adjustment of status, conditional green card |
| C38 | Children of C31 or C36, who are subject to country limits – issued for adjustment of status, conditional green card |
| F31 | Married sons/daughters of US citizens – issued for new arrivals |
| F32 | Spouses of married sons/daughters of US citizens – issued for new arrivals |
| F33 | Children of married sons/daughters of US citizens – issued for new arrivals |
| F36 | Married sons/daughters of US citizens – issued for adjustment of status |
| F37 | Spouses of married sons/daughters of US citizens – issued for adjustment of status |
| F38 | Children of married sons/daughters of US citizens – issued for adjustment of status |
Family Based – Fourth Preference Category
| Category Code | Description of Green Card Category Code |
| F41 | Brothers/sisters of US citizens – issued for new arrivals |
| F42 | Spouses of brothers/sisters of US citizens – issued for new arrivals |
| F43 | Children of brothers/sisters of US citizens – issued for new arrivals |
| F46 | Brothers/sisters of US citizens – issued for adjustment of status |
| F47 | Spouses of brothers/sisters of US citizens – issued for adjustment of status |
| F48 | Children of brothers/sisters of US citizens – issued for adjustment of status |
Employment Based Green Card Category Codes List
Green cards for family links between US citizens and lawful permanent residents are issued. There are numerous subcategories within the family-based green card path. First Preference (F1), Second Preference (F2A, F2B), Third Preference (F3), and Fourth Preference (F4) are defined. For your convenience, we have broken the family-based green card category codes into sections
Employment Based – First Preference Category
| Category Code | Description of Green Card Category Code |
| E10 | Children of E11, E12, E13, E16, E17, or E18 – issued for adjustment of status |
| E11 | Aliens with extraordinary ability – issued for new arrivals |
| E12 | Outstanding professors or researchers – issued for new arrivals |
| E13 | Multinational executives or managers – issued for new arrivals |
| E14 | Spouses of E11, E12, E13, E16, E17, or E18 – issued for new arrivals |
| E15 | Children of E11, E12, E13, E16, E17, or E18 – issued for new arrivals |
| E16 | Aliens with extraordinary ability – issued for adjustment of status |
| E17 | Outstanding professors or researchers – issued for adjustment of status |
| E18 | Multinational executives or managers – issued for adjustment of status |
| E19 | Spouses of E11, E12, E13, E16, E17, or E18 – issued for adjustment of status |
Employment Based – Second Preference Category
| Category Code | Description of Green Card Category Code |
| E21 | Professionals holding advanced degrees – issued for new arrivals |
| E22 | Spouses of E21 or E26 – issued for new arrivals |
| E23 | Children of E21 or E26 – issued for new arrivals |
| E26 | Professionals holding advanced degrees – issued for adjustment of status |
| E27 | Spouses of E21 or E26 – issued for adjustment of status |
| E28 | Children of E21 or E26 – issued for adjustment of status |
| ES1 | Soviet scientists – issued for new arrivals |
| ES6 | Soviet scientists – issued for adjustment of status |
Employment Based – Third Preference Category
| Category Code | Description of Green Card Category Code |
| E30 | Children of E31, E32, E36, or E37 – issued for adjustment of status |
| E31 | Skilled workers – issued for new arrivals |
| E32 | Professionals with baccalaureate degrees – issued for new arrivals |
| E34 | Spouses of E31, E32, E36, or E37 – issued for new arrivals |
| E35 | Children of E31, E32, E36, or E37 – issued for new arrivals |
| E36 | Skilled workers – issued for adjustment of status |
| E37 | Professionals with baccalaureate degrees – issued for adjustment of status |
| E39 | Spouses of E31, E32, E36, or E37 – issued for adjustment of status |
| EC6 | Chinese Student Protection Act (CSPA) principals – issued for adjustment of status |
| EC7 | Spouses of EC6 – issued for adjustment of status |
| EC8 | Children of EC6 – issued for adjustment of status |
| EW0 | Children of EW3 or EW8 – issued for adjustment of status |
| EW3 | Needed unskilled workers – issued for new arrivals |
| EW4 | Spouses of EW3 or EW8 – issued for new arrivals |
| EW5 | Children of EW3 or EW8 – issued for new arrivals |
| EW8 | Needed unskilled workers – issued for adjustment of status |
| EW9 | Spouses of EW3 or EW8 – issued for adjustment of status |
| EX1 | Schedule – A worker – issued for new arrivals |
| EX2 | Spouses of EX1 or EX6 – issued for new arrivals |
| EX3 | Children of EX1 or EX6 – issued for new arrivals |
| EX6 | Schedule – A worker – issued for adjustment of status |
| EX7 | Spouses of EX1 or EX6 – issued for adjustment of status |
| EX8 | Children of EX1 or EX6 – issued for adjustment of status |
Employment Based – Fourth Preference Category
| Category Code | Description of Green Card Category Code |
| BC1 | Broadcast (IBCB of BBG) employees – issued for new arrivals |
| BC2 | Spouses of BC1 or BC6 – issued for new arrivals |
| BC3 | Children of BC1 or BC6 – issued for new arrivals |
| BC6 | Broadcast (IBCG of BBG) employees – issued for adjustment of status |
| BC7 | Spouses of BC1 or BC6 – issued for adjustment of status |
| BC8 | Children of BC1 or BC6 – issued for adjustment of status |
| SD1 | Ministers – issued for new arrivals |
| SD2 | Spouses of SD1 or SD6 – issued for new arrivals |
| SD3 | Children of SD1 or SD6 – issued for new arrivals |
| SD6 | Ministers – issued for adjustment of status |
| SD7 | Spouses of SD1 or SD6 – issued for adjustment of status |
| SD8 | Children of SD1 or SD6 – issued for adjustment of status |
| SE1 | Employees of US government abroad – issued for new arrivals |
| SE2 | Spouses of SE1 or SE6 – issued for new arrivals |
| SE3 | Children of SE1 or SE6 – issued for new arrivals |
| SE6 | Employees of US government abroad – issued for adjustment of status |
| SE7 | Spouses of SE1 or SE6 – issued for adjustment of status |
| SE8 | Children of SE1 or SE6 – issued for adjustment of status |
| SF1 | Former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government – issued for new arrivals |
| SF2 | Spouses or children of SF1 or SF6 – issued for new arrivals |
| SF6 | Former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government – issued for adjustment of status |
| SF7 | Spouses or children of SF1 or SF6 – issued for adjustment of status |
| SG1 | Former US government employees in the Panama Canal Zone – issued for new arrivals |
| SG2 | Spouses or children of SG1 or SG6 – issued for new arrivals |
| SG6 | Former US government employees in the Panama Canal Zone – issued for adjustment of status |
| SG7 | Spouses or children of SG1 or SG6 – issued for adjustment of status |
| SH1 | Former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government, employed on April 1, 1979 – issued for new arrivals |
| SH2 | Spouses or children of SH1 or SH6 – issued for new arrivals |
| SH6 | Former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government, employed on April 1, 1979 – issued for adjustment of status |
| SH7 | Spouses or children of SH1 or SH6 – issued for adjustment of status |
| SJ2 | Spouses or children of SJ6 – issued for new arrivals |
| SJ6 | Foreign medical school graduate who was licensed to practice in the United States on Jan. 9, 1978 – issued for adjustment of status |
| SJ7 | Spouses or children of SJ6 – issued for adjustment of status |
| SK1 | Retired employees of international organizations – issued for new arrivals |
| SK2 | Spouses of SK1 or SK6 – issued for new arrivals |
| SK3 | Certain unmarried children of SK1 or SK6 – issued for new arrivals |
| SK4 | Certain surviving spouses of deceased international organization employees – issued for new arrivals |
| SK6 | Retired employees of international organizations – issued for adjustment of status |
| SK7 | Spouses of SK1 or SK6 – issued for adjustment of status |
| SK8 | Certain unmarried children of SK1 or SK6 – issued for adjustment of status |
| SK9 | Certain surviving spouses of deceased international organization employees – issued for adjustment of status |
| SL1 | Juvenile court dependents – issued for new arrivals |
| SL6 | Juvenile court dependents – issued for adjustment of status |
| SN1 | Retired NATO-6 civilian employees – issued for new arrivals |
| SN2 | Spouses of SN1 of SN6 – issued for new arrivals |
| SN3 | Certain unmarried sons/daughters of SN1 or SN6 – issued for new arrivals |
| SN4 | Certain surviving spouses of deceased NATO-6 civilian employees – issued for new arrivals |
| SN6 | Retired NATO-6 civilian employees – issued for adjustment of status |
| SN7 | Spouses of SN1 of SN6 – issued for adjustment of status |
| SN8 | Certain unmarried sons/daughters of SN1 or SN6 – issued for adjustment of status |
| SN9 | Certain surviving spouses of deceased NATO-6 civilian employees – issued for adjustment of status |
| SR1 | Religious workers – issued for new arrivals |
| SR2 | Spouses of SR1 or SR6 – issued for new arrivals |
| SR3 | Children of SR1 or SR6 – issued for new arrivals |
| SR6 | Religious workers – issued for adjustment of status |
| SR7 | Spouses of SR1 or SR6 – issued for adjustment of status |
| SR8 | Children of SR1 or SR6 – issued for adjustment of status |
Employment Based – Fifth Preference Category
| Category Code | Description of Green Card Category Code |
| C51 | Employment creation, not in a targeted area – issued for new arrivals, conditional green card |
| C52 | Spouses of C51 or C56 – issued for new arrivals, conditional green card |
| C53 | Children of C51 or C56 – issued for new arrivals, conditional green card |
| C56 | Employment creation, not in a targeted area – issued for adjustment of status, conditional green card |
| C57 | Spouses of C51 or C56 – issued for adjustment of status, conditional green card |
| C58 | Children of C51 or C56 – issued for adjustment of status, conditional green card |
| E51 | Employment creation – issued for new arrivals |
| E52 | Spouses of E51 or E56 – issued for new arrivals |
| E53 | Children of E51 or E56 – issued for new arrivals |
| E56 | Employment creation – issued for adjustment of status |
| E57 | Spouses of E51 or E56 – issued for adjustment of status |
| E58 | Children of E51 or E56 – issued for adjustment of status |
| I51 | Employment creation, targeted area, pilot program – issued for new arrivals, conditional green card |
| I52 | Spouses of I51 or I56 – issued for new arrivals, conditional green card |
| I53 | Children of I51 or I56 – issued for new arrivals, conditional green card |
| I56 | Employment creation, targeted area, pilot program – issued for adjustment of status, conditional green card |
| I57 | Spouses of I51 or I56 – issued for adjustment of status, conditional green card |
| I58 | Children of I51 or I56 – issued for adjustment of status, conditional green card |
| R51 | Investor pilot program, not targeted – issued for new arrivals, conditional green card |
| R52 | Spouses of R51 or R56 – issued for new arrivals, conditional green card |
| R53 | Children of R51 or R56 – issued for new arrivals, conditional green card |
| R56 | Investor pilot program, not targeted – issued for adjustment of status, conditional green card |
| R57 | Spouses of R51 or R56 – issued for adjustment of status, conditional green card |
| R58 | Children of R51 or R56 – issued for adjustment of status, conditional green card |
| T51 | Employment creation, targeted area – issued for new arrivals, conditional green card |
| T52 | Spouses of T51 or T56 – issued for new arrivals, conditional green card |
| T53 | Children of T51 or T56 – issued for new arrivals, conditional green card |
| T56 | Employment creation, targeted area – issued for adjustment of status, conditional green card |
| T57 | Spouses of T51 or T56 – issued for adjustment of status, conditional green card |
| T58 | Children of T51 or T56 – issued for adjustment of status, conditional green card |
Refugees and Asylees Green Card Category Codes List
The US immigration system includes options for granting green cards to those who are persecuted or fear persecution. These are divided into two programmes, one for refugees and their families who are currently living outside of the United States. The other programme is for asylum seekers who are already in the United States with their close family. These categories and their codes are listed below.
| Category Code | Description of Green Card Category Code |
| 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 | Spouses or children of Indochinese refugees not qualified as refugees on their own |
| M83 | Refugee escapees previously admitted for lawful permanent resident status, adjustments |
| R86 | Refugee parolees (P.L. 95-412 of 1978) |
| RE6 | Other refugees (P.L. 96-212 Refugee Act of 1980) |
| RE7 | Spouses of RE6 |
| RE8 | Children of RE6 |
| RE9 | Other relatives |
| Y64 | Refugees in the United States prior to July 1, 1953, adjustments |
| Category Code | Description of Green Card Category Code |
| AS6 | Asylees |
| AS7 | Spouses of AS6 |
| AS8 | Children of AS6 |
| GA6 | Iraqi asylees |
| GA7 | Spouses of GA6 |
| GA8 | Children of GA6 |
| SY6 | Syrian asylees |
| SY7 | Spouses of SY6 |
| SY8 | Children of SY6 |
Diversity Visa Green Card Category Codes
The INA contains provisions in the US immigration system that allow people from countries with low levels of immigration to apply for green cards through the Diversity Immigrant visa programme. Every year, a Diversity Visa Lottery is held to pick applications from a pool of such applicants. The green card category codes for the same are listed below.
| Category Code | Description of Green Card Category Code |
| 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 |
Green Card Category Codes for Others based on Special Legislation
The US Congress also passes special legislation that grants green cards to specific groups of people, which are all listed below.
Parolees
| Category Code | Description of Green Card Category Code |
| ID6 | Parolees, Indochinese |
| LA6 | Parolees, Soviet/Indochinese |
| M93 | Parolees, Hungarian previously admitted for lawful permanent resident status |
| NA3 | Children born abroad to alien residents |
| PH6 | Parolees, Polish/Hungarian |
Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA)
| Category Code | Description of Green Card Category Code |
| NC6 | Principals |
| NC7 | Spouses of NC6 |
| NC8 | Children of NC6 |
| NC9 | Unmarried sons/daughters of NC6 |
Cancellation of Removal
| Category Code | Description of Green Card Category Code |
| Z11 | Preference or non-preference immigrants (other than crewmen) |
| Z13 | Sec. 244, P.L. 89-236, subject to 4,000 annual limit |
| Z14 | Battered spouses or 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) |
| Z56 | Crewmen who entered on or before June 30, 1964 and are immediate relatives of U.S. citizens or special immigrants |
| Z57 | Crewmen who entered on or before June 30, 1964 and are preference or non-preference immigrants |
Family Based – First Preference Category
| Category Code | Description of Green Card Category Code |
| A11 | Unmarried Amerasian sons/daughters of US citizens – issued for new arrivals |
| A12 | Children of A11 or A16 – issued for new arrivals |
| A16 | Unmarried Amerasian sons/daughters of US citizens – issued for adjustment of status |
| A17 | Children of A11 or A16 – issued for adjustment of status |
| B11 | Unmarried sons/daughters of US citizens – issued for new arrivals, self-petitioned |
| B12 | Children of B11 or B16 – issued for new arrivals |
| B16 | Unmarried sons/daughters of US citizens – issued for adjustment of status, self-petitioned |
| B17 | Children of B11 or B16 – issued for adjustment of status |
| F11 | Unmarried sons/daughters of US citizens – issued for new arrivals |
| F12 | Children of F11 or F16 – issued for new arrivals |
| F16 | Unmarried sons/daughters of US citizens – issued for adjustment of status |
| F17 | Children of F11 or F16 – issued for adjustment of status |
VisaSyc is a professional educational and legal consulting boutique firm. Since 2015,
we have successfully helped over 1,200 clients with their academic and career placement, and
immigration needs. We owe this success to our passion for equipping people with the skills and
knowledge they need to advance forward. If you are interested in Green Card and Visa
evaluation, please send us your CV for an inquiry to contact@VisaSyc
