The F2B visa is a family preference visa that allows unmarried sons and daughters over the age of 21 of lawful permanent residents (green card holders) to apply for lawful permanent residen-cy in the United States. The application process begins when the U.S. permanent resident parent files a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This petition is used to establish the family relationship and determine the eligibility of the applicant for the visa. Once USCIS approves the petition, it is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC) for further processing, which includes collecting additional documents and forms necessary for the immigrant visa application.
After the petition is approved and the case is transferred to the NVC, the unmarried son or daughter must complete Form DS-260, the immigrant visa application. The applicant will need to submit supporting documents such as their birth certificate, proof of the family relationship, and police records, if applicable. In addition, the applicant must undergo a medical examination by an approved physician to meet the U.S. health requirements. Once all necessary documenta-tion is submitted, the applicant will be scheduled for an interview at the U.S. embassy or consu-late in their home country. During the interview, the consular officer will review the docu-ments, verify the relationship, and assess the applicant’s eligibility for the F2B visa.
Once the F2B visa is approved, the applicant will be issued an immigrant visa, which will allow them to travel to the U.S. and enter as a lawful permanent resident. Upon arrival, they will re-ceive their Green Card by mail. It’s important to note that, due to high demand for F2B visas, applicants often face long waiting periods before a visa becomes available, especially in coun-tries with high numbers of applicants. This waiting time is determined by the U.S. Department of State’s visa bulletin, which provides updates on visa availability and priority dates.
The main difference between the F2A and F2B visa categories is that the F2A visa applies to the spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 of permanent residents, while the F2B visa is for unmarried children over 21. The F2A visa tends to have a faster processing time be-cause of the smaller age limit, while F2B applicants often face longer waits due to demand and age eligibility.
