• Amerasians: any person who is 18 or older, born in Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Kampuchea, or Thailand after December 31, 1950, and before October 22, 1982, and fathered by a U.S. citizen. Depending on their marital status, they fall into ist or 3rd preference category.
• Widows/Widowers: formerly married to U.S. citizens for at least 2 years, currently unmarried, and filing petition within 2 years of their spouses' death. They belong to Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens category.
• Battered or Abused Spouses/Children of U.S. Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents: spouses or children of U.S. citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents who have been battered by or have been subject of extreme cruelty perpetrated by their U.S. citizen/Lawful Permanent Resident spouses and/or parents. Their preference category is determined by the status of their abuser - if he/she is a U.S. citizen, then they fall into immediate relatives category; if LPR, then 2nd preference.
• Special Immigrant Juveniles: unmarried juveniles under 21 who have been placed under the custody of an agency or department of a state. These immigrants do not belong with family-based preference categories and are allocated visas remaining from employment-based immigrants in 4th preference category (employment-based).
  These Special Immigrants Classes may self-petition, whereas their other family-based counterparts depend on a relative petition by their qualifying relative.
• Orphans and Intercountry Adoptees (under 16) - special rules and procedures apply. These immigrants belong to Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens category.

These petitioners are eligible to file the following types of petitions directly with U.S. Consulate having jurisdiction over their place of residence: Petitions for Immediate Relatives, Family Preference Categories, Amerasians, Widows/Widowers, and Orphans. U.S. Consulates abroad do not have jurisdiction to accept or adjudicate the following types of petitions: Petitions for Battered or Abused Spouses/Children, Special Immigrant Juveniles, and Intercountry Adoptees.These petitions must be filed in the U.S. with an appropriate USCIS Office or USCIS Service Center.