F2B Visa

A sponsor, also known as the green card holder, permanent resident alien, or the lawful permanent resident (LPR), is a non-citizen who is lawfully authorized to reside in the US. The LPR may apply to become a US Citizen once they have fulfilled the eligibility requirements. A person is eligible to be a sponsor if they are a green card holder, live in the US with a verified address, and are the legal parent of the subject (applicant), whether biologically or by adoption.

The F2B visa application process happens in two major stages. The first step in the application processing is filing the petition and sending it to the USCIS, followed by submitting the application by the applicant in their home country via the US consulate or embassy.

Unfortunately, the application process cannot proceed until USCIS approves the Lawful Permanent Resident’s petition on behalf of the adult child.

Filing the petition on behalf of the applicant is the first step in the F2B visa application process. To do this, the sponsor files Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) to the USCIS. This petition is then forwarded to the Department of Homeland Security as an integral part of USCIS. In addition, the USCIS sets a fee for this process which the sponsor is required to pay.

Failure to submit the petition or rejection of the petition means you won’t be able to proceed with the application. Both the sponsor and the applicant need to complete the petition separately.

After the petition is filed, the USCIS will then process the petition and send either an approval or rejection to the LPR. In the case of rejection, the USCIS provides detailed reasons, allowing the sponsor the opportunity to rectify any errors and re-submit the petition.

In the case of approval, the USCIS will then transfer the petition to the National Visa Center for further processing. Subsequently, the applicant (sponsor’s child) will receive an informational packet from the National Visa Center (NVC) in the next steps of the application process.

The packet will contain a case number and invoice ID number. The applicant will need these numbers at a later stage to provide to the US consulate or embassy.

However, before the next step, the applicant must wait for their day to be current owing to the yearly cut-offs. The applicant is required to wait in line for the next F2B visa batch. When the next slots are available, the National Visa Centre will inform the applicant to send in their application.

Once the visa application slot becomes available, the applicant can now begin the second phase from their home country. The NVC will send follow-up instructions on how to proceed in the second phase of the application to the applicant.

The applicant (sponsor’s child) must complete this part of the F2B application process in the US consulate or embassy in their home country. In addition, the applicant will be required to pay the application fees at the US consulate or embassy. After payment, the applicant must submit the affidavit of support, the requested civil documents, and the application forms.

The visa applicant is required to comply and file Form DS-260, also known as the Immigrant Visa Electronic Application. The applicant will do this online and access it using the NVC case number and invoice ID number. Here, the authorities will go through the applicant’s background information and their reasons for wanting to migrate to the US.

Getting your family to join you in the US can be one of the greatest opportunities for both you and them. Whether for study, work, or living, an F2B visa for UK citizens allows your unmarried child to join you in the US. However, due to the yearly cut-offs, it is advisable to start the F2B visa application process as early as possible. Most importantly, ensure you have all the relevant documents compiled before beginning the F2B visa application process.

In addition to the medical documents and application forms, an applicant must also send the NVC supporting documents proving they qualify for the F2B visa.  These supporting documents may include the following:

• Birth certificate or adoption papers
• A valid passport
• Two photographs
• Military certificate (if relevant)
• Divorce certificate (if relevant)
• Death certificate (if applicable)
• Criminal or court records and police certificate
• Medical examination and vaccination documents
• Form DS-260 confirmation page
• A signed Form I-864 (This is an affidavit signed by the sponsor agreeing to take care of the applicant upon arrival in the country)

You should note that the passport must be valid for six months after planned entry into the country. In addition, if any document is not written in English, it must be translated by an accredited translator. If a document is not written in English, there is a high chance of disqualification or rejection during the application. Most importantly, ensure you have the original documents when applying for the visa.

The expected fees for an F2B visa may include the following:

• I-130 fees ($535)
• Medical examination fees (costs vary)
• Vaccination fees (costs vary)
• Form DS-260 processing fee
• Document translation fees
• USCIS immigrant fee (this should be paid after receiving your visa and before traveling to the United States)