| Under the immigration laws of the United States, a | | | | the country, with a wait of around eight or nine years. |
| quota is placed on the number and makeup of | | | | Employment-Based Immigration |
| immigrants who can legally enter the United States. | | | | - EB1: Priority workers. There are three categories of |
| Because the demand (the number of people wanting | | | | priority workers: foreign nationals recognized for their |
| to legally enter the United States) outweighs the supply | | | | work in business, arts, science, or education; foreign |
| (the number of Green Cards awarded every year), | | | | nationals recognized for research or teaching |
| there is often a substantial waiting list for entry into the | | | | excellence with at least three years of experience in |
| US. | | | | the field; foreign nationals who are managers or |
| The following is a partial list of the different types of | | | | executives. There are 40,000 available every year, |
| immigrant status, with a short description of what that | | | | and there is usually no wait. |
| category entails: | | | | - EB3: Workers and professionals. There are 40,000 |
| Family-Sponsored Immigration | | | | available annually, but the wait is typically between six |
| - IR: Eligible if an immediate relative is a citizen of the | | | | and nine years. |
| United States. The citizen must be at least 21 years | | | | There are also special statuses for diversity |
| of age if he or she wishes to sponsor his parents. | | | | immigrants, people seeking political asylum, and |
| There is no limit set on IR immigration. | | | | refugees. |
| - F2A: Spouses and underage children of legal US | | | | If you are interested in learning more about the quota |
| permanent residents. The limit is set at 87,934 per | | | | process, please visit the website of the Austin |
| year, and the waiting period is two to three years. | | | | immigration attorneys of the Law Office of William |
| - F2B: Unmarried children of legal permanent | | | | Jang, PLLC. |
| residents. Annually, 26,266 F2B immigrants may enter | | | | |