Visa Type

F2B Family Preference Visa Guide (U.S.)

United States • FAMILY immigrant pathway

Eligibility and planning checklist for unmarried adult children of lawful permanent residents.

Last reviewed: 2026-01-29Official sources
Key takeaways
  • F2B is for unmarried adult children of lawful permanent residents.
  • Subject to annual caps and Visa Bulletin priority dates.
  • Processing includes I-130 and consular steps.

Who the F2B is for

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  • Unmarried adult children (21+) of LPRs
  • Applicants with documented family relationships
  • Families planning for longer priority date waits

Official guidance to review

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Use the official USCIS humanitarian program pages for eligibility and filing steps.

    Requirements checklist (high level)

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    • Form I-130 filed by the LPR sponsor
    • Proof of relationship and unmarried status
    • DS-260 immigrant visa application
    • Medical exam and consular interview

    Documents and evidence

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    • Birth certificates and civil documents
    • I-130 approval notice
    • Visa Bulletin priority date evidence
    • DS-260 confirmation and police certificates

    Step-by-step overview

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    1. File I-130 and monitor the Visa Bulletin.
    2. Complete NVC steps when the date is current.
    3. Attend interview and medical exam.
    4. Enter the U.S. as a permanent resident.

    Fees (verify before you pay)

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    Immigrant visa fees, affidavit of support fees, and USCIS petition fees can apply. Immigrant visa and affidavit of support fees apply.

    Last verified: 2026-02-02 Visa fee schedule (Department of State)

    Last verified: 2026-02-02 USCIS filing fees

    Processing times

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    Processing depends on USCIS petitions, NVC timelines, and visa bulletin availability. F2B categories can have longer waits.

    Last verified: 2026-02-02 USCIS processing times tool

    Last verified: 2026-02-02 Visa appointment wait times (Department of State)

    Common mistakes that cause delays

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    • Failure to document unmarried status
    • Missing NVC document requirements
    • Incorrect priority date tracking

    FAQs

    Who qualifies for F2B?

    F2B is for unmarried adult children (21+) of lawful permanent residents.

    What happens if I marry while in F2B?

    Marriage can change eligibility. You may no longer qualify for F2B and might need a new petition if eligible.

    Are F2B wait times long?

    F2B is subject to annual caps and can have multi-year waits depending on country of chargeability.

    Sources

    Last reviewed: 2026-01-29

    Important

    VisaMind provides informational guidance only and is not a government agency. This is not legal advice. Requirements can change and eligibility depends on your specific facts. If your case is complex or high-stakes, consult a licensed immigration attorney.

    Next steps

    Requirements vary by nationality, purpose, timeline, and case details. VisaMind turns uncertainty into a sequenced checklist with official source citations.

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