; or (C) is the sole or majority owner of a company with more than 50 direct employees or greater than $5 million in assets. (2) Spouses and children An alien is described in this subsection if the alien is the spouse or child of a principal alien described in paragraph (1). (c) Numerical limitations (1) In general The total number of principal aliens who may be provided special immigrant status under this section may not exceed 50,000 per year for each of the 5 fiscal years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act. The Secretary may, in consultation with the Secretary of State, prioritize holders of diplomas in STEM fields, including the physical and life sciences, computer science, engineering, technology, math, and medicine. (2) Exclusion from numerical limitations Aliens provided immigrant status under this section shall not be counted against any numerical limitation under section 201, 202, 203, or 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1151 , 1152, 1153, and 1157). (d) Protection of aliens The Secretary of State, in consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall make a reasonable effort to provide an alien described in this section who is applying for a special immigrant visa with protection or the immediate removal from the PRC if possible, of such alien if the Secretary determines after consultation that such alien is in imminent danger. (e) Eligibility for admission under other classification No alien shall be denied the opportunity to apply for admission under this section solely because such alien qualifies as an immediate relative or is eligible for any other immigrant classification. (f) Timeline for processing applications (1) In general The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure that all steps under the control of the United States Government incidental to the approval of such applications, including required screenings and background checks, are completed not later than 2 years after the date on which an eligible