US Visa Tips – How to Apply in the Immediate Relative Category

by | Mar 2, 2025

Looking into your US visa options? If you have an immediate relative who is a US citizen, the Immediate Relative visa category is the one for you. Let’s examine what an Immediate Relative visa is, determine who is eligible to apply, and walk through the application steps.

What is an Immediate Relative Visa?

The Immediate Relative (IR) visa category is reserved for individuals who have a close familial relationship with a US. citizen. Only family members with a relationship to a citizen are eligible to apply for an IR visa. 

Who is Eligible to Apply for an Immediate Relative Visa?

Noncitizens and nonresidents of the US are eligible to apply for an IR visa if they have any of the following relationships to a US citizen:

  • Spouses (IR-1 visa)
  • Unmarried children under the age of 21 (IR-2 visa)
  • Adopted children—adoption finalized abroad (IR-3 visa)
  • Adopted children—adoption finalized in the US (IR-4 visa)
  • Parents (IR-5 visa)

If you do not meet the above criteria, we recommend looking into other visa categories, such as the family preference (F) visa category. If you have a close familial relationship with a US Green Card holder, you may be eligible to apply for an F visa.

Steps to Apply for an Immediate Relative Visa

Eligible to apply for an IR visa? Use these steps:

  1. File Form I-130 with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The petitioner, who is a US citizen, completes this petition form on behalf of the beneficiary, the IR visa applicant. If the IR visa applicant is the spouse of a US citizen, the petitioner must also file Form I-130A.
  2. If you are outside of the US, complete the Form DS-260 and apply for an IR visa at a local US embassy or consulate. If you are inside on a nonimmigrant visa, apply for an IR visa by submitting an Adjustment of Status application with USCIS. The Adjustment of Status application may be filed concurrently (at the same time) with Form I-130.

Once we approve your application, we will issue you an IR visa. Depending on the specifics of your case, you may need to complete a few more steps in the IR visa process.

Visit the full Immediate Relative visa guide for more details on the IR visa application process. Here, you can also find information on how to consult with an immigration attorney who can provide dedicated legal support throughout your IR visa case.