Who the F3 is for
#- Married children of U.S. citizens
- Families with documented parent-child relationships
- Applicants prepared for longer priority date waits
Official guidance to review
#Use the official USCIS humanitarian program pages for eligibility and filing steps.
Requirements checklist (high level)
#- Form I-130 filed by the U.S. citizen parent
- Proof of relationship and marital status
- DS-260 immigrant visa application
- Medical exam and consular interview
Documents and evidence
#- Birth and marriage certificates
- I-130 approval notice
- Visa Bulletin priority date evidence
- DS-260 confirmation and police certificates
Step-by-step overview
#- File I-130 and track the priority date.
- Complete NVC processing when current.
- Attend interview and medical exam.
- Enter the U.S. and receive the green card.
Fees (verify before you pay)
#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
#Processing depends on USCIS petitions, NVC timelines, and visa bulletin availability. F3 waits can be significant depending on country caps.
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
#- Incorrect priority date tracking
- Incomplete civil documents for spouse/children
- Missing NVC document deadlines
FAQs
Who qualifies for F3?
F3 is for married children of U.S. citizens, along with their spouses and minor children.
Does F3 include derivative family members?
Yes. Spouses and unmarried children under 21 can be included.
How long are F3 wait times?
F3 is subject to annual caps and often has long priority date waits depending on country.
Sources
Last reviewed: 2026-01-29
- Family immigration (Department of State)
- Family preference immigrant visas (Department of State)
- Immigrant visas overview (Department of State)
- Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative (USCIS)
- Visa fee schedule (Department of State)
- Visa appointment wait times (Department of State)
- USCIS processing times tool
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.
Requirements vary by nationality, purpose, timeline, and case details. VisaMind turns uncertainty into a sequenced checklist with official source citations.
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