F1 vs F2B Visa: What Is the Difference?

Both the F1 and F2B categories are part of the U.S. family preference immigrant visa system that enables extended family members to reunite with relatives in the United States.

The F1 category serves adult, unmarried children of U.S. citizens, whereas F2B serves adult, unmarried children of lawful permanent residents.

Each is subject to annual caps and visa availability determined by the Department of State’s Visa Bulletin, meaning potential delays in the immigration process. Understanding these differences helps sponsors and beneficiaries anticipate timelines and eligibility under U.S. immigration law.

The F1 preference category is designed for unmarried sons and daughters aged 21 or older of U.S. citizens.

To qualify, the beneficiary must be an adult (21+) and unmarried at the time of filing and processing. Because this category applies to adult children of U.S. citizens, it reflects a closer family tie than some other preference classifications, but it is still subject to annual caps on the number of visas that can be issued.

The U.S. citizen sponsor must file a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, on behalf of their eligible child. Once the petition is approved and a visa number becomes current through the monthly Visa Bulletin, the beneficiary may apply for a green card through adjustment of status (if in the U.S.) or consular processing (if abroad).

The F2B preference category, in contrast, applies to unmarried sons and daughters aged 21 or older of lawful permanent residents (green card holders).

Like the F1 category, the child must be unmarried and at least 21 when the petition is filed and processed. However, the key difference lies in the status of the sponsor: instead of a U.S. citizen, the petitioner is a permanent resident. The sponsoring LPR must file Form I-130 on behalf of the eligible adult child.

The primary difference between the F1 and F2B categories lies in the type of sponsor and therefore the family relationship:

• Sponsor status: F1 visas are for the unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens, while F2B visas are for unmarried adult children of lawful permanent residents (green card holders).

• Waiting periods and numerical limits: Both categories are subject to annual limits and quota backlogs, so applicants may wait years before a visa number becomes available. However, the demand dynamics and allocation of the broader F2 category can influence relative wait times for F2B versus F1 cases, depending on how many visas are consumed by other subcategories and shifts in priority dates.

At the present time, the processing of the F2B visa is quicker than for the F1 visa. However, this situation can often change depending on the progress of the visas so it is worth keeping up to date with the situation in the Department of State’s monthly visa bulletin.

Which route is faster also depends on the status of your sponsor and whether they are an American citizen or an American Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR). A US citizen is classed as the highest individual status, while a permanent resident remain a citizen of their birth/home country.

If your sponsor is a LPR there is the possibility they could be deported and there are restrictions on how many family members they are able to sponsor.

US Immigration Services will update the visa category from F2B to F1 if the petition is filed by a LPR who is granted citizenship before the visa is processed. However, it is important to note that this change is optional and can be reversed – which is relevant if the F2B timescales are shorter.

Many US visas do not have a set timescale for processing and they can change almost on a daily basis due to changing demand and quota caps.

Under the quota system, there are 23,400 F1 visas made available per annum and 114,200 F2 visas (of which 70 per cent or 79,940 are F2A and 30 per cent or 34,260 are F2B).

In addition, no single country is allowed to have more than seven per cent of the total applications for the year.

Once your sponsor has filed Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) it will join the wait queue and it can take a considerable time to reach the top of this. Once, it does you are able to submit an application for either a F1 or F2B visa.

Waiting to be approved to move to the US can be a very long and stressful process – for both unmarried children and their parents. Unfortunately, there are not guarantees on how long it takes to process a visa or on a priority date can change.

It also depends on individual circumstances and it is not unheard of people wanting several years to be granted permission to move to the US. However, in most cases the average waiting time can be around two years.

Therefore, it is vital that you ensure you complete your application correctly and ensure you provide all required paperwork to avoid any additional delays. If you are unsure what is required that it may be helpful to seek the advice of an immigration law expert.

Under certain circumstances it is possible to switch visa category once the process has started and this could help to reduce waiting times for family members. As mentioned if the sponsor becomes a citizen then the application will be automatically switched from the F2B to F1 route.

This is because F1 visas are for the unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens and their minor children, while F2B visas are for the unmarried children of a green card holder (LPR).

However, it is important to consider this change on the potential waiting times – especially if the F1 category is facing lengthy delays.

Therefore, is is possible to file a formal request with United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) to keep to the original route, and retain the original priority filing date.