F2B Visa - Unmarried Children of U.S. Green Card Holders

Applicant’s eligibility

If your child is older than 21 years of age and unmarried, they will be eligible to apply for a Green Card through the F2B visa. Do bear in mind that if the child gets married before the petition is approved, they will no longer be eligible for the F2B visa.

To apply for an F2B visa, the child will need to complete an application form and several documents will need to be submitted in their application.

A vital document is evidence of the relationship between your child and the Green Card holder, through a birth certificate or adoption documents.

Sponsor’s eligibility

The F2B visa sponsor must fulfil several key requirements, as listed below.

The F2B visa sponsor must be:

• A Green Card holder
• The parent of the person they are petitioning for, and be able to provide evidence of this
• Living in the U.S. with a verified address

Note that a Green Card holder is also called a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR), or Permanent Resident Alien. An LPR is a non-citizen who is lawfully authorized to live permanently within the U.S. He or she may also apply to become a U.S. citizen if they meet certain eligibility requirements.

When you apply for an F2B visa, you will need to submit a number of documents along with the application form. These include the following:

• Passport – must be valid for 6 months after planned entry into the U.S.
• Birth certificate or adoption certificate
• A signed Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support from U.S. petitioner)
• Form DS-260 confirmation page
• Medical examination and vaccination documents
• Two photographs
• Court and criminal records and/or police certificate
• Divorce certificates (if relevant)
• Death certificate (if relevant)
• Military certificates (if relevant)

Note that any documents that are not in English must be translated by an accredited translator, as documents that are not provided in English will be rejected in the application.

The F2B application process comprises two main stages: the filing of the petition and the application being submitted. Below is a list of all the key steps in the whole F2B visa application process.

List of the key steps in the F2B visa application process

• Sponsor completes the petition form and sends it to USCIS
• NVC receives approved petition
• NVC sends a package to the overseas applicant explaining the next steps
• A visa application slot becomes available
• F2B visa application process begins and the applicant completes Form DS-260
• Applicant collects the required documents together
• Medical examination and vaccinations are carried out
• Applicant attends the F2B visa interview at U.S. embassy or consulate
• Applicant’s passport is stamped, and applicant receives NVC packet
• Applicant travels to the U.S.

The first step in the F2B application process is filing the petition.

This is a vital first step. If a petition is not submitted, or is submitted and rejected, you will not be able to proceed with the application.

Both the U.S. Green Card holder and sponsor need to complete the petition. Usually the sponsor is the petitioner. Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) will be processed by the USCIS.

The sponsor will receive an approval or rejection from the USCIS. If the petition is rejected, the sponsor will be informed of the reasons, which provides the sponsor the opportunity to rectify any issues and re-submit the petition.

If the petition is accepted, the documents will be sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) for onward processing.

The adult child applicant will then receive a package from the NVC, with detailed next steps in the process.

Any person who wants to emigrate to the U.S. is required to undergo a medical examination and receive certain vaccinations.

The package which is sent by the NVC to F2B applicants will explain which medical examinations and vaccinations are needed.

Once an F2B application has been sent to the NVC, the application will be processed. If the NVC determines that you meet all necessary requirements, an interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the applicant’s country of residence will be arranged.

The Embassy / Consulate interview is a vital and last stage of the F2B visa application process. The Embassy / Consulate will have a copy of your application at the interview and you will be interviewed by an official who will decide whether to accept or reject your F2B visa application.

If your F2B application is successful, the U.S. Embassy / Consulate will stamp the visa in your passport. From this point, you will be able to travel to and enter the United States on the basis of this visa.

You will also be given a sealed package by the Embassy / Consulate, which you must not open. You will need to hand over this packet with you when you travel to the United States, and a U.S. immigration official will open it when you arrive at the airport.

The interview stage of the F2B application process can be a nervous time for applicants. For support and preparation guidance, call Total Law now on +1 844 290 6312.

To apply for the F2B visa, several costs will need to be paid.

The main F2B fees

• I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative form) – currently $535
• Processing fee for DS-260 form
• Vaccination(s) fees
• Medical examination fee
• Fees for having any documents translated (if relevant)
• USCIS immigrant fee – payable after you receive your visa and before you travel to the U.S.

Total Law has highly experienced immigration (and emigration) attorneys, who are able to ensure your F2B application is comprehensive and watertight, to ensure your chance of a successful outcome.

Your assigned immigration advisor will review the annual F2B Visa bulletin to check the availability of this visa. They will ensure your F2B application is progressed as fast as possible, bearing in mind the wait times.

Total Law can also advise you on any other, more preferable routes for emigration to the USA, so contact us today on +1 844 290 6312, or use our online contact form.