Green Card Category Codes: An Overview

Ever looked at your Green Card and spotted a jumble of letters and numbers under the word “Category?” You are not alone. Those tiny codes reveal how a person became a lawful permanent resident, and they often shape the next steps toward full citizenship. At Wogwu Law, I blend book smarts with lived immigration stories, so I care about these codes almost as much as my clients care about reunions and fresh starts.

Today, I share a quick guide on Green Card category codes. I keep the tone light, the language plain, and the focus always on helping families all over the country move forward with confidence.

What Are Green Card Category Codes?

Each Green Card carries a three-character tag, like “IR1” or “EB2.” That tag links to a part of the Immigration and Nationality Act, pointing out the exact path that led to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status. In short, the code tells officers, employers, and even you whether the card was issued through family ties, a job offer, refugee status, or another channel.

The code appears in the middle of the card and travels with you for life. When you later file for naturalization, renew your card, or petition for a relative, officers glance at that code first to track your legal history.

Why Are Green Card Category Codes Important?

Your category shows the legal basis for living in the United States, and that history matters when you:

• File Form N-400 for citizenship. Officers double-check that your residence never lapsed.
• Request benefits for loved ones. Some categories let you sponsor faster than others.
• Hold a two-year conditional card. Codes starting with “CR” or “CF” warn you to file Form I-751 before the deadline or risk losing status.

Beyond deadlines, a code might bring extra rights. Refugee and asylee codes, for instance, unlock some federal services that other residents cannot access.

Quick Reference Table

Code	Plain-language meaning	Conditional?
IR1	Spouse of a U.S. citizen, married longer than two years	No
CR1	Spouse of a U.S. citizen, married less than two years	Yes
F2A	Spouse or child of a permanent resident	No
EB2	Worker with an advanced degree or exceptional ability	No
CU6	Cuban refugee adjusted inside the United States	No

Keep this table handy the next time you open your wallet. Spotting your own code is the first step toward knowing what paperwork lies ahead.

Terminology Explained

Before digging deeper, let us clear up a few phrases that pop up over and over in immigration chats.

New Arrival

This label signals that residence began through an immigrant visa picked up abroad, followed by entry at a U.S. port. The case ran through a consulate, not local USCIS offices.

Adjustment of Status

An adjustment means the applicant was already inside the country on another status, such as a student or tourist, and later “switched” to LPR without leaving.

Conditional Green Card

A two-year card, often tied to marriages under two years old or certain entrepreneur visas. Holders must file to remove conditions within the 90-day window before the card expires.

Self-Petitioned

Some immigrants, like certain VAWA applicants or workers with extraordinary ability, can file for themselves without a family or company sponsor.

Conditional vs. Permanent

Conditional cards expire in two years and carry codes that begin with “C,” “CR,” or “CF.” Permanent cards last ten years and do not require an extra filing to stick around.

Green Card Category Codes vs. EAD Codes

Do not mix up your permanent resident code with the code on an Employment Authorization Document. EAD codes, such as “C08,” only describe temporary work permission and disappear once you become an LPR.

Common Green Card Categories

Let us tour the most frequent buckets you will see in day-to-day practice, starting with the path that still delivers the most resident cards each year: family unity.

Family-Based Green Cards

Below is a short list of the family codes you might stumble upon. We tucked them into bullet points for easy reading:

• IR1, CR1, IR6, CF1, CF6: Spouse of a U.S. citizen. “CR” and “CF” signal a marriage of fewer than two years.
• IR2, CR2, IR7: Child under 21 of a U.S. citizen.
• IR5: Parent of a citizen who is at least 21.
• F1: Unmarried sons and daughters (21+) of U.S. citizens.
• F2A: Spouses and unmarried kids (under 21) of permanent residents.
• F2B: Unmarried sons and daughters (21+) of permanent residents.
• F3: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
• F4: Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens.

Because Congress caps the annual visas in F-categories, wait times can stretch for years. Double-checking the Visa Bulletin each month keeps families from missing their shot when the date finally becomes current.

Employment-Based Green Cards

Job-driven codes start with “E” or “EB.” They fall into five main groups:

1. EB-1: multinational executives, professors, and top talents (codes E11–E13).
2. EB-2: workers with advanced degrees or national interest waivers (E21, E26).
3. EB-3: skilled and unskilled positions where U.S. workers are scarce (E31–E37, EW3).
4. EB-4: certain immigrants, such as religious workers or Afghan translators (codes like SD1, SI1).
5. EB-5: investors placing capital in U.S. projects that create at least ten full-time jobs (codes C51, I51, T51).

Each group has different labor rules, costs, and timing. A quick peek at the code tells you where the case started and which perks apply.

Green Cards Through Other Means

Not every resident arrives through a family member or an employer. A few alternate routes carry their own codes:

• CU6: Cuban refugee adjusted inside the U.S.
• CU7: Spouse or child of a CU6 holder.
• DV1: Winner of the Diversity Visa lottery.
• AS6: Asylee one year after being granted protection.
• RE6: Refugee adjusted after twelve months in the United States.

These paths often sidestep visa backlogs yet still require careful follow-up, such as filing for travel documents or renewing work authorization during the first year.

Need Help With Your Green Card?

Reading through codes is only half the story. You still have to file the right forms, watch processing times, and respond to any requests for more evidence. That is where a caring legal team steps in.

At Wogwu Law, I combine professional skills with personal immigration journeys, so I know the stakes when a filing goes sideways. I aim for clear answers, fair fees, and a steady hand from start to finish.

You deserve peace of mind while chasing the next chapter. Give me a ring at 919-964-5472 or visit my contact page to set up a chat. One short call can spare months of guesswork. I look forward to helping you move from code confusion to clear plans.