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:Meaning, Full list of LPR (Lawful Permanent Residency) Codes
Green Card Category Codes : Meaning, Full list of LPR Codes
Green Card Category Codes - Complete list - meaning
As you are going through the process of getting a Green Card or Lawful Permanent Residency, you often encounter Green Card Codes like E11, F41, IR1, etc. that are used in visa wait times. Also, you would even see this code on the Green Card that is issued to you after the process is complete. In this article, we will review what is the Green Card or Lawful Permanent Resident(LPR) Category code and review the complete list of the same with details around them.
Article Contents
1. What is Green Card Category Code? LPR Category Code?
2. Green Card Category Codes List grouped by paths to green Card
3. Immediate relatives of US Citizens – Green Card Category Codes
4. Family Based Green Card Category Codes List
5. Employment Based Green Card Category Codes List
6. Refugees and Asylees Green Card Category Codes List
7. Diversity Visa Green Card Category Codes
8. Green Card Category Codes for Others based on Special Legislation
9. Common FAQs
What is Green Card Category Code? LPR Category Code?
The Green Card Category code describes the category under which a person would be issued Green Card or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) card. It starts with an Alphabet followed by a number like C26, E11, F21, etc. After you go through the process and get the physical green card, the LPR category code also appears on it under the label ‘Category’.
See the below screenshot to understand where the Green Card code appears and how it looks. In the below screenshot, the letters ‘IR1’ under the ‘Category’, represent the green card category code
Also, the category code indicates, if the green card was given as a normal permanent resident or a conditional permanent resident. Normal green cards are issued with a validity period of 10 years. But, conditional green cards are given with a 2 years validity. The conditional green cardholders should remove conditions before the expiration of the card.
Some of the Green Card Category codes look pretty similar or the same as the USCIS EAD Category Codes, but they are completely different things. The EAD category codes are related Employment Authorization Document(EAD) Category code. For example, the C26 code under the EAD Category code means EAD given for H4 visa holders. Unlike, the code ‘C26’ in the Green Card category codes is given to spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents, who are subject to country limits and get green cards using 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.
If something says “new arrival”, it means they entered America on an Immigrant Visa from outside of the US
If something says “adjustment of status”, it means that they were already in America and converted/adjusted their previous status to get a green card.
If something says “conditional green card”, they were not issued a regular 10-year green card, but rather a 2-year conditional green card.
If something says “self-petitioned”, it means that the application or petition for the green card category for filed by themselves without anyone else doing it on their behalf.
Immediate relatives of US Citizens – Green Card Category Codes
The majority of the green cards that are issued in any year are under the immediate relatives of US Citizens’ path for their spouses, children, and parents. Below listed green card categories 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
Green Card Category Codes for Immediate relatives of US Citizens
Family Based Green Card Category Codes List
Family Based green cards are issued based on family relationships with US Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents. There are many sub-categories under the family-based green cards path. There are defined as First Preference(F1), Second Preference(F2A, F2B), Third Preference(F3), and Fourth Preference(F4). We have divided the family-based green card category codes based on these into sections for easy review.
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
Green Card Category Codes for Family based First Preference(F1)
Family Based – Second Preference Category
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
Green Card Category Codes for Family-based Second Preference(F2A, F2B)
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
Green Card Category Codes for Family-based Third Preference(F3)
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
Green Card Category Codes for Family-based Fourth Preference(F4)
Employment Based Green Card Category Codes List
Employment Based Green Cards are issued based on the skills of an individual for the shortage of skills in the US. Also, it includes green cards issued based on investments that create jobs. There are many subcategories under employment-based green cards: First Preference(EB-1), Second Preference(EB-2), Third Preference (EB-4), Fourth Preference(EB-4) and Fifth Preference(EB-5). We have divided them into sections. We have divided the employment-based green card category codes based on these into sections for easy review.
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
Green Card Category Codes for Employment Based First Preference (EB1)
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
Green Card Category Codes for Employment Based Second Preference (EB2)
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
Green Card Category Codes for Employment Based Third Preference (EB3)
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
Green Card Category Codes for Employment Based Fourth Preference (EB4)
Employment Based – Fifth Preference Category
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
Green Card Category Codes for Employment Based Fifth Preference (EB5)
Refugees and Asylees Green Card Category Codes List
US immigration system has provisions to provide green cards for anyone who are persecuted or have fear of the same. These are under two programs one for refugees and their relatives who are currently outside of the US. The other program is for asylum, where the person is already in the US with their immediate relatives. Below are those categories & their codes.
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
Green Card Category Codes for Refugees
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
Green Card Category Codes for Asylees
Diversity Visa Green Card Category Codes
The US immigration system has provisions in the INA that let people from countries with low levels of immigration seek green cards under the Diversity Immigrant visa program. There is a Diversity Visa Lottery that happens every year to select the applicants from the pool of such applicants. Below are the green card category codes for the same.
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 Diversity Immigrant Visa Program
Green Card Category Codes for Others based on Special Legislation
US Congress also passes certain special legislations that allocate green cards for certain categories of individuals, these 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
Green Card Category Codes for Parolees
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
Green Card Category Codes for Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA)
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
Green Card Category Codes for Cancellation of Removal individuals
Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act(HRIFA)
Category Code Description of Green Card Category Code
HA6 Haitian asylum applicants
HA7 Spouses of HA6
HA8 Children of HA6
HA9 Unmarried sons/daughters of HA6
HB6 Haitian parolees
HB7 Spouses of HB6
HB8 Children of HB6
HB9 Unmarried sons/daughters of HB6
HC6 Haitian children without parents
HC7 Spouses of HC6
HC8 Children of HC6
HC9 Unmarried sons/daughters of HC6
HD6 Haitian children orphaned in the United States
HD7 Spouses of HD6
HD8 Children of HD6
HD9 Unmarried sons/daughters of HD6
HE6 Haitian children abandoned by parents
HE7 Spouses of HE6
HE8 Children of HE6
HE9 Unmarried sons/daughters of HE6
Green Card Category Codes for Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (HRIFA)
IRCA Legalization
Category Code Description of Green Card Category Code
CB1 Spouses of legalized aliens – issued for new arrivals, conditional green card
CB2 Children of CB1 or CB6 – issued for new arrivals, conditional green card
CB6 Spouses of legalized aliens – issued for adjustment of status, conditional green card
CB7 Children of CB1 or CB6 – issued for adjustment of status, conditional green card
LB1 Spouses of legalized aliens – issued for new arrivals
LB2 Children of LB1 or LB6 – issued for new arrivals
LB6 Spouses of legalized aliens – issued for adjustment of status
LB7 Children of LB1 or LB6 – issued for adjustment of status
S16 Seasonal Agricultural Workers (SAW), worked at least 90 days during each year ending May 1, 1984, 1985, and 1986
S26 Seasonal Agricultural Workers (SAW), worked at least 90 days during the year ending on May 1, 1986
W16 Entered without inspection before 1/1/82
W26 Entered as nonimmigrant and overstayed visa before 1/1/82
W36 Blanket enforced voluntary departure (EVD) group
Green Card Category Codes for IRCA Legalization & their dependents
Other Classes
Category Code Description of Green Card Category Code
AA1 Natives of certain adversely affected foreign states – issued for new arrivals
AA2 Spouses of AA1 or AA6 – issued for new arrivals
AA3 Children of AA1 or AA6 – issued for new arrivals
AA6 Natives of certain adversely affected foreign states – issued for adjustment of status
AA7 Spouses of AA1 or AA6 – issued for adjustment of status
AA8 Children of AA1 or AA6 – issued for adjustment of status
AM1 Amerasians, born in Vietnam between 1/1/62-1/1/76 – issued for new arrivals
AM2 Spouses or children of AM1 or AM6 – issued for new arrivals
AM3 Mothers, guardians, or next of kin of AM1 or AM6 – issued for new arrivals
AM6 Amerasians, born in Vietnam between 1/1/62-1/1/76 – issued for adjustment of status
AM7 Spouses or children of AM1 or AM6 – issued for adjustment of status
AM8 Mothers, guardians, or next of kin of AM1 or AM6 – issued for adjustment of status
CH6 Cuban Haitian entrants – issued for adjustment of status (P.L. 99-603)
DS1 Individuals born under diplomatic status – issued for adjustment of status,
DT1 Natives of Tibet who continuously resided in Nepal or India (Displaced Tibetan) – issued for new arrivals
DT2 Spouses of DT1 or DT6 – issued for new arrivals
DT3 Children of DT1 or DT6 – issued for new arrivals
DT6 Natives of Tibet who continuously resided in Nepal or India (Displaced Tibetan) – issued for adjustment of status
DT7 Spouses of DT1 or DT6 – issued for adjustment of status
DT8 Children of DT1 or DT6 – issued for adjustment of status
HH6 Parolees adjusting under the Help HAITI Act of 2010 – issued for adjustment of status
HK1 Hong Kong business employees – issued for new arrivals
HK2 Spouses of HK1 or HK6 – issued for new arrivals
HK3 Children of HK1 or HK6 – issued for new arrivals
HK6 Hong Kong business employees – issued for adjustment of status
HK7 Spouses of HK1 or HK6 – issued for adjustment of status
HK8 Children of HK1 or HK6 – issued for adjustment of status
MR0 Parents of US citizens presumed to be lawful permanent resident aliens – Northern Mariana Islands – issued for adjustment of status
MR6 Spouses of US citizens presumed to be lawful permanent resident aliens – Northern Mariana Islands – issued for adjustment of status
MR7 Children of US citizens presumed to be lawful permanent resident aliens – Northern Mariana Islands – issued for adjustment of status
NP8 Alien who filed and was qualified with investor status prior to June 1, 1978
NP9 Spouses or children of NP8 – issued for adjustment of status
RN6 Certain former H1 nonimmigrant registered nurses – issued for adjustment of status
RN7 Spouses or children of RN6 – issued for adjustment of status
S13 American Indians born in Canada – issued for new arrivals
SC1 Lost citizenship through marriage – issued for new arrivals
SC2 Lost citizenship through serving in foreign armed forces – issued for new arrivals
SC6 Lost citizenship through marriage – issued for adjustment of status
SC7 Lost citizenship through serving in foreign armed forces – issued for adjustment of status
SI1 Special immigrant interpreters who are nationals of Iraq or Afghanistan – issued for new arrivals
SI2 Spouses of SI1 or SI6 – issued for new arrivals
SI3 Children of SI1 or SI6 – issued for new arrivals
SI6 Special immigrant interpreters who are nationals of Iraq or Afghanistan – issued for adjustment of status
SI7 Spouses of SI1 or SI6 – issued for adjustment of status
SI8 Children of SI1 or SI6 – issued for adjustment of status
SM0 Spouses or children of SM4 or SM9 – issued for adjustment of status
SM1 US Armed Forces personnel, service (12 years) after 10/1/91 – issued for new arrivals
SM2 Spouses of SM1 or SM6 – issued for new arrivals
SM3 Children of SM1 or SM6 – issued for new arrivals
SM4 US Armed Forces personnel, service (12 years) by 10/91 – issued for new arrivals
SM5 Spouses or children of SM4 or SM9 – issued for new arrivals
SM6 US Armed Forces personnel, service (12 years) after 10/1/91 – issued for adjustment of status
SM7 Spouses of SM1 or SM6 – issued for adjustment of status
SM8 Children of SM1 or SM6 – issued for adjustment of status
SM9 US Armed Forces personnel, service (12 years) by 10/91 – issued for adjustment of status
SQ1 Certain Iraqis and Afghans employed by US Government – issued for new arrivals
SQ2 Spouses of SQ1 or SQ6 – issued for new arrivals
SQ3 Children of SQ1 or SQ6 – issued for new arrivals
SQ6 Certain Iraqis and Afghans employed by US Government – issued for adjustment of status
SQ7 Spouses of SQ1 or SQ6 – issued for adjustment of status
SQ8 Children of SQ1 or SQ6 – issued for adjustment of status
ST0 Adjustment of T4 nonimmigrant
ST6 Adjustment of T1 nonimmigrant
ST7 Adjustment of T2 nonimmigrant
ST8 Adjustment of T3 nonimmigrant
ST9 Adjustment of T5 nonimmigrant
SU0 Adjustment of U4 nonimmigrant
SU2 Spouses of SU6 – issued for new arrivals
SU3 Children of SU6 – issued for new arrivals
SU5 Parents of SU6 – issued for new arrivals
SU6 Adjustment of U1 nonimmigrant
SU7 Adjustment of U2 nonimmigrant
SU8 Adjustment of U3 nonimmigrant
SU9 Adjustment of U5 nonimmigrant
W46 Late amnesty applicants (Immigration Reform and Control Act)
XA3 Children born subsequent to issuance of parent’s non-quota visa – issued for new arrivals
XB3 Presumed lawfully admitted for permanent residence
XE3 Children born subsequent to issuance of parent’s employment-based preference visa – issued for new arrivals
XF3 Children born subsequent to issuance of parent’s family-sponsored preference visa – issued for new arrivals
XN3 Children born subsequent to issuance of parent’s visa other – issued for new arrivals
XR3 Children born subsequent to issuance of parent’s immediate relative of US citizen visa – issued for new arrivals
Z03 Entered 7/1/24-6/28/40, Section 249, P.L. 89-236 – issued for adjustment of status
Z33 Entered before 7/1/24, Section 249, P.L. 89-236 – issued for adjustment of status
Z43 Private bill – issued for adjustment of status
Z66 Entered 6/29/40-1/1/72, Section 249, P.L. 89-236 – issued for adjustment of status
Z83 A foreign government official who is an immediate relative of US citizen or special immigrant
Green Card Category Codes for Other classes
Common FAQs
What does the Category mean on a Green Card?
The Category on the Green Card or Lawful Permanent Resident(LPR) Card is nothing but the category code under which your green card was issued. For example, if you got your green under the employment-based category of EB1, under the subcategory of outstanding professor or researcher, you would see the Category on the Green Card as E12. The above article has the complete list of the same.
Does the Green Card Category matter?
It depends on the context of the question. The Green Card category is especially important for wait times and how soon you can get a green card. The reason is, many of the Green Card categories have numerical limits and there can be wait times ranging from a few months to many years. So, it does matter for how soon you would get your green card. Also, it would be used for adjudication by the officer to ensure you fit in the relevant category and meet all the requirements.
Same Green Card Category Code appears in EAD Category Code – Are they the same?
No, they are not the same. Even though the code looks the same, the meaning of these codes is different. Though they look the same, they are not related to the same category or anything as such. E.g. C26 category appears in both, but they mean completely different.
Is Green Card Category Code the same as the Green Card Number?
No, they are not the same.
Is Green Card Category the same as the Class of Admission?
Yes, in the context of Green Cards, both are the same. The class of admission is indicated as ‘Category’ on the newer green cards that are issued. This class of admission corresponds to the immigrant visa class of admission. The class of admission in the context of green cards is not the same as the non-immigrant visa class of admission such as H1B Visa, F1 Visa, and others, etc.
Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
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