How to check your F2B visa status
If you are applying for a F2B visa then it is possible to track the progress of your application via the Visa Bulletin.
Working with a specialist immigration lawyer can help maximize your chances of a successful application. Call Total Law on +1 844 290 6312 for a confidential discussion about how we can help you and your loved ones settle in the United States.
Tracking a F2B Visa Application
The F2B Visa is a Family Preference Visa which leads to a Green Card in the US. It is typically a long application process, often taking over 5 years. It depends on your nationality, as well as the annual cap limits (approximately 34,260 visas yearly) as to how long it can take to complete an F2B visa application. You can track the progress, and the priority date using the visa bulletin. This post details how to track your F2B visa application.
How Do I Check My F2B Visa Status?
If you are applying for an F2B visa, there are several ways to check your case. The correct method depends on whether your Form I-130 is still with USCIS, you are waiting for a visa number, or your case has progressed to the National Visa Center (NVC).
Step 1: Check Your I-130 Status
First, use the USCIS Case Status Online service and the receipt number on your Form I-797 to check whether your Form I-130 is still pending or has been approved.
Your Form I-797 should also show your priority date. Keep this date, as you will need it to track when an F2B visa becomes available.
Step 2: Check the Visa Bulletin
Once you are waiting for a visa number, check the Department of State’s monthly Visa Bulletin. Find the F2B category and the column that applies to your country of chargeability, usually your country of birth.
Compare the date shown with your priority date. If your priority date is earlier than the applicable cut-off date, you may be able to move to the next stage. If it is later, you will normally need to continue waiting.
Step 3: Check Which Visa Bulletin Table Applies
The Visa Bulletin contains Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates. The Dates for Filing can determine when you may submit documents or an application, while the Final Action Dates determine when a visa number is available for final approval.
If you are applying for adjustment of status in the US, check which table USCIS has authorised applicants to use that month before filing Form I-485.
Step 4: Track Your Case With the NVC
If USCIS has approved the I-130 and your case has moved to the NVC, you can use CEAC to monitor fees, forms and supporting documents.
Once your case is documentarily complete and a visa is available, the NVC can arrange your immigrant visa interview. F2B applicants should therefore continue checking the Visa Bulletin while their case progresses.
The F2B Visa Application Process – Checklist
The F2B visa application can be a complicated process and you should consider seeking advice from professional immigration lawyers to ensure your best chance of becoming a green card holder without any unnecessary delays.
The application process is as follows:
- The sponsor completes the petition form and submits it to USCIS
- National Visa Center (NVC) receives accepted petition form and supporting documents
- NVC sends a package to the beneficiary which will then explain the next steps of the process
- A visa application slot becomes available and the F2A visa application process begins
- The adult child completes and files Form DS-260
- The applicant collects the required documents together. The medical examination is taken and vaccinations are given.
- The applicant attends the visa interview at a US embassy or consulate
- Applicant receives NVC packet and travels to the US
How Long Is the F2B Visa Waiting Time?
Waiting times for an F2B family-based Green Card can be several years, as the category is subject to annual visa limits. The actual wait depends primarily on your priority date and country of chargeability, rather than simply the country where you submit your application.
F2B visas are subject to annual limits, which means applicants can face lengthy backlogs before a visa becomes available. Recent Visa Bulletins indicate a backlog of roughly seven years for most countries, including China and India.
The backlog is considerably greater for certain oversubscribed countries. Recent figures indicate waits reflected in the Visa Bulletin of around 17 years for Mexico and 13 years for the Philippines.
| Country/area | Approximate recent F2B backlog |
|---|---|
| Most countries | ~7 years |
| China | ~7 years |
| India | ~7 years |
| Mexico | ~17 years |
| Philippines | ~13 years |
These figures illustrate the current backlog rather than predicting how long a new applicant will wait. Final Action Dates can advance, remain unchanged or retrogress. Applicants should therefore check the latest US Visa Bulletin regularly and compare the relevant date with their own priority date.
What If the Sponsor Becomes a US Citizen?
If the sponsoring parent becomes a US citizen while the applicant is waiting, the case may move from F2B to the F1 category for unmarried adult sons and daughters of US citizens. However, this does not necessarily mean a shorter wait; applicants should compare the relevant F1 and F2B Visa Bulletin dates, and in some circumstances may be able to opt out of conversion to F1 and remain in F2B.
How Can Total Law Help With Your F2B Visa Application?
F2B applications can involve several stages and potentially many years of waiting. Total Law’s US immigration attorneys can help you prepare and submit the initial family petition, understand your priority date, monitor visa availability and complete the later Green Card or consular processing stages when your case becomes eligible to progress.
You can expect clear guidance on cost, eligibility and an anticipated timeline. If you have any questions at any stage, our friendly and professional client care teams can work directly with you so that you feel confident in the process. We offer insight into other available options and always build our advice sessions to focus on your goals.
We can also advise if your circumstances change while you are waiting, such as if the sponsoring parent becomes a US citizen, and explain whether this affects your family preference category or the best way to proceed. Contact us on +1 844 312 4979 or online today for help tracking your visa application, or for advice on your options.
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