F2A Visa — Spouses and Children of Lawful Permanent Residents

The F2A Family Preference Visa enables the spouses and unmarried children (under 21 years) of lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders) to immigrate to the United States. This category plays a key role in maintaining family unity by allowing permanent residents to bring their immediate family members to live with them.

Key Features of the F2A Visa:

• Eligibility: Applicants must be either the spouse or the unmarried child (under 21 years old) of a lawful permanent resident (LPR). The relationship must be legally recognized and verifiable through official documents such as marriage or birth certificates.
• Petition Process (Form I-130): The LPR must file Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once approved, the case is transferred to the National Visa Center (NVC) for visa processing.
• Priority Date: The priority date is established when the I-130 petition is filed. F2A visas are subject to annual numerical limits, and applicants must wait until their priority date becomes current according to the Visa Bulletin issued monthly by the U.S. Department of State.
• Consular Processing: When the priority date becomes current, the applicant completes Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application) and attends an interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country. During the interview, applicants must present all required documents, including the I-864 Affidavit of Support and medical examination results.
• Adjustment of Status (AOS): If the applicant is already in the U.S. under a valid visa, they may apply to adjust their status to permanent resident by submitting Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status).
• Derivative Beneficiaries: The unmarried children (under 21) of a principal F2A spouse applicant can also immigrate as derivative beneficiaries and receive their Green Cards upon approval.
• Work Authorization: F2A visa applicants who are adjusting status within the U.S. may apply for work authorization by filing Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization).
• Permanent Residency: Once admitted on an F2A visa or granted adjustment of status, applicants become lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders) and enjoy the right to live, study, and work in the United States indefinitely.
• Path to Citizenship: F2A visa holders may apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization after five years of permanent residence, provided they meet all other eligibility criteria.

The F2A visa category ensures that families of permanent residents can stay together and thrive in the United States. At Visa2Migrate, we highlight the importance of preparation, proper documentation, and timely monitoring of the Visa Bulletin to ensure a smooth immigration journey.