What is the exempt from the visa number requirement for immediate relatives of United States citizens?
You must have an immigrant visa number available from the State Department unless you are in a category that is exempt from visa numerical limitations. Immediate relatives of United States citizens are exempt from this requirement. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are parents, spouses, and unmarried children under 21. Other immigrant categories that are exempt from visa numerical limitations and do not need a visa number include special immigrant, juvenile, and special immigrant military petitions. For family members of lawful permanent residents, visa numbers are limited by law every year. This means that even if the USCIS approves an immigrant visa petition for you, you may not get an immigrant visa number immediately. In some cases, several years could pass between the time USCIS approves your immigrant visa petition and the State Department gives you an immigrant visa.
