The F2A visa is a family preference visa for the spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 of lawful permanent residents (green card holders) in the United States. This visa catego-ry allows family reunification for individuals who are not U.S. citizens but have a permanent resident spouse or parent. The application process begins when the lawful permanent resident files a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This petition establishes the qualifying relationship and, once approved, is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC) for further processing.
After the petition is approved and forwarded to the NVC, the next steps involve submitting the immigrant visa application (Form DS-260) and providing necessary documentation, including proof of the family relationship, birth certificates, and police records, if applicable. The appli-cant will also need to undergo a medical examination by an approved physician to meet health requirements for U.S. entry. Once the documents are submitted, the applicant will be scheduled for an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. During the interview, a consular officer will review the documentation, confirm the relationship, and assess the appli-cant’s eligibility for the F2A visa.
If the consular officer approves the F2A visa, the applicant will be issued an immigrant visa to enter the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident. Upon arrival in the United States, the applicant will receive their Green Card in the mail. As the F2A visa category is subject to annual visa caps, applicants may experience wait times before their visa becomes available, depending on the demand and the applicant’s country of origin. It's important for applicants to keep track of visa bulletin updates and ensure all required documentation is submitted correctly. Working with an immigration attorney can help streamline the process and avoid delays or complica-tions in securing the visa.
