United States•North AmericaF2B — Family Second Preference (F2B)
At a Glance
3 months – 100 years
Varies by processing route
USD $2,745–$3,595
Varies by filing options
Indefinite
Not renewable
Renewal
Not renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
Yes
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote work OK
Living in United States
Overview
Unmarried adult sons and daughters (21+) of lawful permanent residents.
The F2B is a US immigrant visa for unmarried sons and daughters aged 21 or older whose parent is a lawful permanent resident (not a US citizen). It is family-sponsored, requires no job offer or education credential, and grants a green card on approval. About 26,266 visas are issued each year.
Priority date backlogs are severe: roughly 9 years for most countries, around 13 years for the Philippines, and up to 17 years for Mexico. The beneficiary must remain unmarried throughout — marriage ends F2B qualification immediately. Dependents (unmarried children under 21) may accompany the principal.
This visa is ideal for the adult unmarried child of a US green card holder who wants a permanent path to US residence without relying on an employer or a US citizen parent.
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Cost Breakdown
Processing Time
| I-130 USCIS adjudication | 1–2 years |
| NVC processing (consular) | 3–6 months |
| Priority date wait — most countries (rest of world) | 5–15 years |
| Priority date wait — Mexico | 20–100 years |
| Priority date wait — Philippines | 20–50 years |
Stay & Extensions
| Status type | Permanent / indefinite |
Annual Cap & Quota
Approximately 26,266 visas per year (23% of the 114,200 F2 family preference total, per INA § 203(a)(2))
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Petitioner must be a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR)
Beneficiary must be an unmarried son or daughter of the LPR petitioner
Beneficiary must be 21 years of age or older
Petitioner and beneficiary must have a qualifying parent-child relationship
Beneficiary must remain unmarried throughout the entire petition process — marriage terminates F2B qualification
Beneficiary must be admissible to the United States or qualify for a waiver of inadmissibility
Petitioner must demonstrate financial ability to support beneficiary above 125% of the federal poverty level (Form I-864)
KEY CRITERIA
Min. Income
27,050 USD/yr
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)
Copy of petitioner's green card (proof of LPR status)
Birth certificate proving qualifying parent-child relationship
Beneficiary's valid passport
Proof of unmarried status (if previously married: divorce decrees or death certificates of prior spouses)
Police certificates from all countries of residence of 6 months or more after age 16
Medical examination results
Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) with petitioner's tax returns and financial evidence
Passport-style photographs
Any court records, military records, or other civil documents as required by NVC
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Grants lawful permanent residence (green card) — no need to renew immigration status
- Derivative benefits: beneficiary's spouse and unmarried children under 21 may be included on the same petition
- Full unrestricted work authorization upon receiving green card
- Travel freely to and from the U.S. as a permanent resident
- Provides a clear path to U.S. citizenship after 5 years of LPR status
- If petitioner later naturalizes to U.S. citizen, the case converts to the F1 category (still a path to a green card)
- When priority date is current, AOS applicants can obtain interim EAD and Advance Parole while case is pending
Worth Knowing
- Severe priority date backlogs: waits exceed 10 years for most countries and 20+ years for Mexico and Philippines
- Beneficiary must remain unmarried throughout the entire process; any marriage immediately terminates qualification in this category
- If petitioner naturalizes to U.S. citizen during the process, the petition converts to the F1 category, which can change the priority date situation
- Annual per-country numerical caps apply; visa availability is dictated by monthly Visa Bulletin final action dates
- The priority date is locked in at the date USCIS receives the I-130; protecting an early priority date is critical
- Beneficiaries applying via AOS must have maintained lawful status or qualify for an exemption from unlawful presence bars
- Derivative beneficiaries (spouse and children of the principal beneficiary) must also qualify and be admissible
- Significant backlog
Application Process
LPR parent files Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS
USCIS adjudicates I-130 and issues approval notice
Approved petition forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC) for consular processing, or retained at USCIS for AOS
Monitor the State Department Visa Bulletin monthly for priority date to become current
Once priority date is current
submit DS-260 and supporting documents to NVC (consular) OR file Form I-485 with USCIS (domestic AOS)
Complete required medical examination (panel physician abroad for consular; Form I-693 for AOS)
Attend visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate (consular processing) or USCIS interview (AOS)
Upon approval, receive immigrant visa stamp (consular) or I-551 green card (AOS)
Application Forms
Go to application portal| I-130 Petition for Alien Relative | Fill online |
| I-864 Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA | Fill online |
| DS-260 Immigrant Visa Electronic Application | Fill online |
| I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | Fill online |
| I-693 Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record | Fill online |
| I-131 Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records | Fill online |
| I-765 Application for Employment Authorization | Fill online |
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