US outlines two family visa pathways to permanent residence

The United States Department of State has outlined two main family-based immigrant visa categories for foreign nationals seeking permanent residence through qualifying family relationships, according to a Punch Newspapers report, citing the State Department’s September 2026 Visa Bulletin.

The two categories are Immediate Relative visas and Family Preference visas, with applicants required to obtain an immigrant visa and meet category-specific requirements.

The Immediate Relative category covers spouses of US citizens, unmarried children under 21 of US citizens, and parents of US citizens aged 21 or older. This category carries no annual numerical limit.

The Family Preference category, however, is capped and includes unmarried adult sons and daughters of US citizens, spouses and unmarried children of lawful permanent residents, married sons and daughters of US citizens, and siblings of adult US citizens. Because of this cap, eligible applicants may face waiting periods before a visa becomes available.

The bulletin sets the fiscal year 2026 limit for family-sponsored preference immigrants at 226,000, split across five categories: F1, F2A, F2B, F3 and F4. For September, final action dates vary significantly, ranging from August 2026 for F2A applicants to as far back as October 2011 for F4 applicants, excluding countries with separate backlogs such as China, India, Mexico and the Philippines.

For Nigerians pursuing family-based immigration, the distinction matters because Immediate Relative visas bypass the annual cap entirely, while Family Preference visas remain subject to demand and potential retrogression during the fiscal year.