Ever wondered how US green card holders bring their adult children from abroad to live with them? The F2B visa is their legal path. It’s a US permanent resident sponsorship visa that allows lawful permanent residents (LPRs) to bring their unmarried sons and daughters to the United States, helping families stay connected.
However, navigating the multi-step application process can be confusing, especially for first-time applicants. So we at Remitly have created this F2B visa application guide to explain everything you need to know. We’ll walk you through every stage of the process, from eligibility to the application procedures, and provide some tips to avoid common challenges.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for the F2B you need to meet specific criteria and provide necessary documentation.
Who qualifies for the F2B visa?
You may qualify for the F2B visa if:
- The sponsor (your parent) is a US green card holder living in the country.
- You’re the sponsor’s unmarried son or daughter aged 21 or older.
If you get married before your visa is approved, you may no longer qualify under the family preference immigration rules for unmarried adults.
Required documentation
To apply for the F2B visa, you’ll need:
- A valid passport (for at least six months after your planned arrival in the US).
- Your birth or adoption certificate to show you’re the child of the sponsor.
- Passport-style photos that follow the official size and quality guidelines.
- A divorce certificate if you were previously married.
- Police clearance or any court/criminal records.
- A copy of your parent’s green card or other proof showing lawful permanent residency.
- A signed Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) from your parent.
- Form DS-260 confirmation.
If any of your documents aren’t in English, you’ll need to include certified translations. Mistakes or missing details can cause delays or even denial. So even if you meet the F2B family-based immigration requirements and have these documents ready, be sure to double-check everything before you apply.
F2B visa application process
It’s a pretty drawn-out process and the number of F2B visas that are issued each year is limited. So let’s break it down into steps.
File Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)
The lawful permanent resident should start the process by filing Form I-130 to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This establishes a parent’s qualifying relationship with their unmarried son or daughter.
Tips for filing Form I-130 correctly
Fill out every part of the form. USCIS may reject it if any sections, like your relationship, personal details, or information of the beneficiary are not completely filled in.
Be sure to sign the form, too. USCIS won’t accept unsigned forms.
Don’t forget to pay the filing fee.
Wait for I-130 approval and priority date
Once your Form I-130 is approved, USCIS gives you a priority date. This date decides your place in line for a visa. Due to the yearly cap on F2B visas, you might have to wait a while before your turn comes up. You can keep an eye on the US Visa Bulletin to check when your priority date becomes current. Once it does, this means a visa number is available and you can move to the next step.
National Visa Center (NVC) processing
There are more people wanting to come to the US on various visas than there are places available, even on family visas like the F2B. The National Visa Center determines the priority of visa application processing and handles the petitions. The NVC will give you a case number and instructions for your next steps, which may include fee payments and document submission. You’ll need to pay $325 USD for immigrant visa application processing and a $120 USD fee for the Affidavit of Support.
Fill out Form DS-260, the Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application, using your NVC case number and invoice ID. You can submit this form online through the CEAC portal. After submitting the form, you’ll get a confirmation page and number.
Medical examination
The visa process requires you to complete a medical examination by an authorized physician and get any required vaccinations. The fee varies by country and physician, but usually ranges from $200 USD to $500 USD. The results are submitted directly to the US embassy or consulate.
Consular interview
The NVC will set up an interview for you at the US embassy or consulate in your home country. During the interview, expect the consular officer to ask questions, verify your qualifications, and examine your documents.
Visa issuance and entry to the US
If approved, you’ll receive a visa stamped in your passport along with a sealed immigration packet. Do not open the packet because you’ll need to show it to the US Customs and Border Protection official when you enter the country. If it’s already open they may refuse you entry.
F2B visa processing times vary. However, the US Department of State publishes monthly updates on visa availability for all categories in their Visa Bulletin. After receiving your visa, you can make travel arrangements to join your parents in the US
Tips for accuracy in form submissions
Make sure names, dates, and other personal details match across all documents. Submit all required forms and supporting documents as specified by USCIS and the NVC. Regularly check for updates or requests for additional information from USCIS or the NVC.
Common challenges
Like in any US visa application, you may encounter a few challenges during the F2B process. But if you know what to watch out for, you can anticipate and handle them.
Extended wait times due to family preference category visa caps
Family preference immigration visas for unmarried adults—which include the F2B—are capped every year. At the time of writing, the F2B is limited to 26,266 visas per year, which results in long wait times, particularly for countries like Mexico or the Philippines that have huge numbers of applicants. How long you wait depends on how many people are applying from your country, and the total number of people applying.
To stay on top of things, check the Visa Bulletin regularly. You can also use tools like MyPriorityDate.com to get an estimate of when your priority date might become current.
Tracking priority dates
Your priority date is key to moving forward in the F2B visa process. But tracking it can get tricky, especially if delays happen—which they do, quite frequently. We’ll be honest here—for citizens of some heavily oversubscribed countries, the wait can be ten years or longer.
So to stay on top of it, keep an eye on Visa Bulletin announcements. Get your documents ready and act fast if things change unexpectedly.
Financial sponsorship issues
One of the crucial F2B family-based immigration requirements is proving your sponsor can support you financially. The sponsor needs to fill out Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, and provide their most recent tax returns, proof they’re employed, and bank statements. The documentation needs to show that the sponsor earns at least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
If the individual doesn’t meet that income level, you can ask a joint sponsor to help. Both sponsors need to submit Form I-864, and include tax returns and proof of employment. If you’re unsure about the financial side, it’s a good idea to talk to an immigration expert.
The F2B visa process involves submitting various forms and documents, like Form I-130, Form DS-260, and Form I-864, birth certificates, police records, and more.
Double-check what each form requires and ensure everything you submit is accurate and complete. Using a checklist can make the process a lot easier and less stressful. Consider getting the help of a professional immigration lawyer, too—they’ll know their way around what’s a complicated and over-subscribed system.
Adjusting status within the US
If you’re already in the US, you might be able to apply for adjustment of status using Form I-485 when your priority date is current. However, you’ll need to meet certain eligibility requirements and submit additional documents, so check the requirements ahead of time and get everything ready.
Emotional and psychological stress
The long wait and uncertainty that comes with the F2B visa processing time can be tough on you and your family. It’s totally normal to feel stressed and anxious.
Lean on your loved ones or connect with community groups—especially support groups of families that have been through the same thing, if you can find them—to help you through it. Staying informed and organized can also make things more manageable and give you peace of mind.
Visa validity, renewal, and restrictions
The F2B visa provides a pathway for unmarried sons and daughters of US lawful permanent residents to obtain green cards. When you complete the process and get approved, you’ll become a lawful permanent resident, which means you can live and work in the US indefinitely. After getting your F2B visa, you have six months to enter the country.
Restrictions while awaiting visa approval
While waiting for F2B visa approval, you may face certain limitations:
If you’re outside the US, you can’t work in the country until you receive your green card.
If you’re in the US and waiting to adjust your status, don’t travel abroad unless you’ve filed the Advanced Parole (Form I-131). Leaving without it could cancel your application.
Maintaining eligibility and ensuring process continuity
To keep your F2B visa process moving smoothly, here are a few tips:
- If you move or change your phone number or email, make sure USCIS and the NVC have your updated information.
- If you get a request for more information or documents, reply quickly to avoid delays.
- Strictly follow US immigration laws and guidelines throughout the application process.
- Consult with immigration experts or attorneys to navigate complex situations and receive personalized advice.
By understanding the rules and staying on top of your application, you can increase the chances of getting your green card and settling in the US without problems.
Conclusion
The F2B visa plays a vital role in helping US green card holders reunite with their unmarried sons and daughters. While the process can be extremely lengthy due to annual visa limits, and excessive demand making processing times very long, staying informed and prepared can make a big difference.
Ensure your documents are accurate, track your priority date, and don’t hesitate to ask for help from a professional if you need it. But this is about reconnecting with your family, so we think it’s worth the wait.
FAQs
How long is the waiting time for the F2B visa?
There’s no exact timeline for how long the F2B visa process takes. But due to a limited number of visas available each year, some people may wait two years while others might take seven or ten years, or even longer.
Can F2B beneficiaries bring their children to the US?
If you’re an F2B beneficiary, you can bring your unmarried kids with you as part of the visa application. They’re called derivatives and can come to the US with you. But if you become a US citizen before the visa is issued, the category changes, so your kids may no longer qualify.
How do I check my priority date for the F2B visa?
Your priority date is the day USCIS received your Form I-130. To check if your priority date is current, go to the Visa Bulletin published each month by the US Department of State. Match your filing date with the F2B category under your home country.
How much do I have to earn to sponsor an F2B applicant?
The sponsor needs to show income that’s at least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for their household size. If you’re the sponsor and you don’t meet this threshold, a joint sponsor can help meet the financial requirement.
What happens if my F2B visa is denied?
If your F2B visa is denied, USCIS or the consulate will explain the reason. It could be missing documents, ineligibility, or insufficient proof of relationship or income. You may be able to appeal, file a motion to reopen, or reapply after addressing the issues.