“preference system (immigration act of 1990)”

This describes the 9 categories among which family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant preference visas have been distributed since fiscal year 1992.

There are 4 family-sponsored preferences:

1. Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens;
2. Spouses, children, and unmarried sons and daughters of permanent resident aliens;
3. Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens;
4. Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens.

There are 5 employment-based preferences:

1. Priority workers (persons of extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, and certain multinational executives and managers);
2. Professionals with advanced degrees or aliens with exceptional ability;
3. Skilled workers, professionals (without advanced degrees), and needed unskilled workers;
4. Special immigrants; and
5. Employment creation immigrants (investors).