how to file f2a visa

Apply for an F2A visa.

• 1. Completion and submit Form DS-260. Most immigrant visas applicants must complete this form. Applicants can complete this form online at the ...
• 2. Perform medical examination and vaccination.
• 3. Provide the necessary documents.
• 4. Participate in the interview.
• 5. Get another NVC package and travel to the US.

Full Answer

How to apply for F2A visa in USA?

Applying for the F2A visa 1 File Form DS-260. Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa Electronic Application is the form which all applicants for immigrant visas must submit. 2 Complete medical examination and vaccination. ... 3 Compile the F2A visa documents file. ... 4 Attend interview. ... 5 Receive NVC packet and travel to the US. ...

What happens if F2A visa is not current?

Since there is a cap for the F2A visa, the applicant will not be able to apply from their home countries if the date is not current. NVC takes into account the number of petitions for each year and if your petition exceeds the limit of up to 80,000 visas, then your application will be processed next year.

How does the NVC process F2A visas?

NVC takes into account the number of petitions for each year and if your petition exceeds the limit of up to 80,000 visas, then your application will be processed next year. If your date is current, then the NVC will instruct you to begin the application process for the F2A visa.

What is F2A and F2B green card?

The F2A along with the F2B Visa falls under the second category of the ‘preference relative Green Cards’. Every year, a quota is imposed on the number of category 2 preference relative visas which are issued. The quota is divided into 70% for the F2A category and 30% for the F2B category.

How do I file an F2A?

How to Apply for the F2A Visa?The US Lawful Permanent Resident petitions for their spouse or minor children to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)When the petition is approved, the spouse or child must apply to a US Embassy or Consulate in their home country.

How long F2A visa takes?

Estimated timelineApplication stepsEstimated TimelineStep 1. USCIS processing of Form I-13011-15 months from the date of filingStep 2. USCIS Receipt Notice issued2 weeks from the date of filingStep 3. Visa number availability (F2A category)Varies (check the latest Visa Bulletin)Step 4. Form I-485 processing9-11 months4 more rows

Who qualifies for F2A?

Second preference (F2A) - spouses and children (unmarried and under 21 years of age) of lawful permanent residents; Second preference (F2B) - unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age and older) of lawful permanent residents; Third preference (F3) - married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens; and.

Is F2A visa still current?

F2A has been 'current' since July 2019 and the only question is when it is going to end-- if ever.

How long does F2A visa take 2022?

As of mid-2022, people in category F2A were facing no wait at all from most countries (with the exception of Mexico), but it's often about two years before the U.S. government can allot a visa number and allow someone to carry on with the application process for permanent residence, plus another ten months or so months ...

How much is F2A visa?

USD 325How much does it cost to apply for the F2A Visa? You need to pay the fee for the application process, which costs USD 325. Also, you will need to add a USD 120 fee for the Affidavit of Support, an essential document during the process.

How long it takes to petition brothers or sisters?

After you've filled out Form I-130 and submitted it to the USCIS, all you can do is wait to hear back from them. If you've submitted everything correctly and accurately, the application will be approved. This usually takes somewhere between 2 to 5 years. But the waiting time may further extend in some cases.

What is USCIS F2A?

F2A: Spouses and unmarried minor children (under age 21) of green card holders. If you are a green card holder who has applied for a green card for your spouse, this is the category you'll need to watch when you check the visa bulletin.

How long does it take for NVC to send case to embassy?

After you have submitted all of your required documentation to the National Visa Center, paid the visa fees, and uploaded all of the necessary documents to your Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) portal, it can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months for the National Visa Center to review your documentation and ...

Is NVC scheduling interviews 2022?

While in May 2022, NVC reported 421,136 eligible immigrant visa applicants still pending the scheduling of an interview after May 2022 appointment scheduling was completed, resulting in a growing backlog of 5,350 immigrant visa cases in June.

How long does it take for NVC to schedule interview 2022?

How long does it take to get an appointment? Although NVC strives to schedule appointments within three months of NVC's acceptance of all requested documentation, this timeframe is subject to the operating status and capacity of the consular section.

Why is USCIS taking so long to process 2022?

The reasons for these delays are twofold: (1) the COVID19 pandemic impacted the efficiency and productivity of USCIS and all government functions, including mail delivery, and (2) the Trump Administration delayed processing of visa petitions as a way to reduce the number of legal immigrants entering the United States.

What is an F2A category visa?

The F2A visa is a Family Based Green Card designed for spouses and unmarried children of U.S. permanent residents/Green card holders. The F2A along with the F2B Visa falls under the second category of the 'preference relative Green Cards'.

How long does it take for NVC to send case to embassy?

After you have submitted all of your required documentation to the National Visa Center, paid the visa fees, and uploaded all of the necessary documents to your Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) portal, it can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months for the National Visa Center to review your documentation and ...

What is f21 visa processing time?

It takes approximately 30-60 days for an immigrant visa application to be transferred from USCIS to the National Visa Center. The National Visa Center recommends that an applicant wait at least 60 days from the date of the immigrant petition's approval before calling to confirm the receipt of an application.

How much does it cost to apply for an F2A visa?

The applicant and the visa applicant will have to pay different fees for different services. The amount of these costs varies. Consequently, it is not possible to give an accurate estimate of it. In general, the following actions must be paid for:

What is an F-2A visa?

This visa is a type of immigration status issued to the spouse and young children of Green Card holders. With this visa, US Lawful Permanent Residents can bring their family members to the United States and live together as a family. Unfortunately, there is an annual cap on the issuance of this visa. On the other hand, a significant number of applicants want to receive this visa. Therefore, the processing time for this visa is a bit long. But after receiving the visa, these people are considered permanent residents of the United States and can live and work in this country.

What questions might be asked in a US F2A visa interview?

During the interview, The consular officer may tell you to give documents such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate or wedding documents, and ask questions. The consular officer probably asks the following questions:

How old do you have to be to get a F2A visa?

Also, children applying for this visa must be under 21 years old and unmarried.

How to file an alien relative petition?

The US resident must first complete Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, and submit it to USCIS. Besides, the petitioner must pay a fee for filing. The Department of Homeland Security then processes the petition. Afterward, USCIS announces the final result to the petitioner.

How to get a permanent resident visa?

The US Lawful Permanent Resident must first file a petition to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services or USCIS. If the petition is approved, the petitioner’s spouse or child can begin the visa application process via the US Embassy in their country. Therefore, the basic step is to obtain the necessary approvals. Otherwise, any attempt to obtain a visa will be in vain.

What happens after submitting DS-260?

The applicant must answer all the questions in this form carefully. After submitting Form DS-260, a confirmation page will appear that the applicant must save because, in the next steps, this page will be required.

How to apply for a F2A visa?

The application process has two main stages. First, the sponsor must complete a petition for their spouse or child . If the petition is accepted, the applicant can then begin the F2A visa application process.

What is an F2A visa?

The F2A visa is a Family Based Green Card designed for spouses and unmarried children of U.S. permanent residents/Green card holders.

How Much Does the F2A Visa Application Cost?

There are a number of fees that need to be taken into consideration with an F2A visa. The overall cost of the visa depends on the U.S. embassy or consulate to which you are applying.

How Long Does it Take to Process an F2A Visa Application and get a Green Card?

It is impossible to determine how long an F2A visa application will take to process. First, it might take some time for a visa application slot to become available. If the quota for the year has already been reached, the applicant will need to wait until the next year for the visa application to proceed.

How can IAS help you and your family?

The process to get an F2A Visa can be tedious and time-consuming. However, at IAS we are here to help you with all the necessary legal details.

How to contact F2A visa?

We can assist you through the entire F2A visa application process, helping you to secure a highly sought-after Green Card. Call us on +1 844 290 6312 for immediate help & assistance with your situation. We’re here to help you in person, via the phone or online.

Where will I get my I-130?

If your petition has been approved, your documents will be delivered to the NVC (National Visa Centre).

What is an F2A visa?

Belonging to the family of F visas (which also includes the F1 visa and the F4 visa ), the F2A visa is a U.S. immigrant visa used by spouses and minor children of green card holders to move to the U.S. permanently.

Who Is Eligible for the F2A Visa?

To be eligible for an F2A visa, you must meet a certain set of requirements, including:

How Much Does the F2A Visa Cost?

The fees vary and are determined by the USCIS, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Individual US Embassy or Consulate.

What Is the F2A Visa Processing Time?

As already mentioned, the processing time for the F2A visa varies based on the number of applicants and the workload of the government agency in charge of processing the applications. As a matter of fact, the applications are processed in chronological order, so it all depends on the number of applicants before you.

What if the Petitioning LPR Gets a U.S. Citizenship While the F2A Visa Is Still Under Processing?

However, the good news is that if your petitioner gets a U.S. citizenship, you will qualify for a different type of visa—the Immediate Relative (IR) visa. Since this visa doesn’t have a cap on the number of accepted applications, the processing time is much faster!

What is the difference between an F2A and an F2B visa?

While the F2A visa is used for the spouse or unmarried child (under the age of 21) of an LPR, the F2B visa is issued to an unmarried child who is older than 21 years of age.

What is DS-260?

Also called Immigrant Visa Electronic Application, Form DS-260 is required to be submitted by all immigrant visa applicants. It can be submitted online. The applicant is required to provide all the important details including their NVC case number and invoice ID number.

What is the F3 family preference?

Third preference (F3) - married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens; and. Fourth preference (F4) - brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens (if the U.S. citizen is 21 years of age and older). This page provides specific information for aliens in the United States who want to apply for lawful permanent resident status based on a family preference ...

What is the F1 preference?

First preference (F1) - unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age and older) of U.S. citizens; Second preference (F2A) - spouses and children (unmarried and under 21 years of age) of lawful permanent residents; Second preference (F2B) - unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age and older) of lawful permanent residents;

What is the ground of inadmissibility for family preference immigrants?

As a family preference immigrant, the following ground of inadmissibility does not apply to you: Labor certification and qualifications for certain immigrants (INA 212 (a) (5)) If you are inadmissible, the law may allow you to apply for a waiver of inadmissibility or other form of relief.

How to apply for employment authorization for a pending I-485?

Generally, when you have a pending Form I-485, you may apply for employment authorization by filing Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.

What is a copy of my passport?

A copy of your passport page with admission or parole stamp (issued by a U.S. immigration officer) (if applicable); A copy of your Form I-94 , Arrival/Departure Record, or copy of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) admission or parole stamp on your Travel Document (if applicable).

Can a family member get a green card?

U.S. immigration law allows certain aliens who are family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to become lawful permanent residents (get a Green Card) based on specific family relationships. If you are the spouse, minor child or parent of a U.S. citizen, please see the Green Card for Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizen page for information on how to apply for a Green Card.

Who is the principal applicant on an I-130?

If you are the named beneficiary of a Form I-130, you are called the principal applicant. As the principal applicant, you should submit the following documentation and evidence to apply for a Green Card as a family preference immigrant who is already in the United States:

What is the family preference category for spouses?

Spouses and children of US citizens belong to the immediate relatives category and the spouses and children of permanent residents belong to the family preference category. People who belong to the immediate relatives category need not wait for priority dates to become current and they will immediately be issued immigrant visas.

Can immediate relatives file concurrently?

This is similar to the immediate relatives of US citizens who are eligible for concurrent filing. There are no wait times for the immediate relatives of US citizens and they can file applications for employment authorization documents and adjustment of status, when their sponsors file immigrant petitions for them.

How to change visa category back to F2B?

Applicants whose case is at NVC should submit requests using NVC’s online inquiry form. NVC will forward the request to USCIS and change the visa category back to F2B upon receipt of USCIS’s approval.

What is the effect of F2A on spouse?

Effect on spouses and minor children: If you filed a petition for your spouse or minor children (under age 21 and unmarried) while you were an LPR, the visa category was family second preference (F2A). When you become a U.S. citizen, NVC will upgrade the petition to an immediate relative (IR) visa category. This benefits your immigrating family member (s) because there are no limits on the number of visas that can be issued each year in the IR categories.

What happens if a visa is not available?

If a visa is not available, unfortunately there is nothing that NVC can do to expedite the petition. Immigrant visa processing is governed by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, as amended, which controls availability of visas. There is no provision within the law that would allow the Department of State to issue a visa to someone for whom a visa is unavailable.

What does NVC do with a visa?

If a visa is available for your petition (or if the Department of State believes that one will be available in the next several months), NVC will send you, the beneficiary, a letter or email directing you to begin visa pre-processing with NVC.

What happens if you don't get a visa?

If visas are not available for your visa category, NVC will notify you that NVC received your petition and will hold it until a visa becomes available.

How to hire an attorney for a visa?

If you wish to hire an attorney, please submit a signed form G-28 Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative to the National Visa Center (NVC) using our Public Inquiry Form.

How to transfer a case to a consulate?

If your case is at a U.S. embassy or consulate, contact the potential gaining U.S. embassy or consulate in writing to request a transfer of your case. Please include a justification for the request. If you are not a resident of that country, specify that in your request.