F2A

F2A is a U.S. immigrant visa subcategory within the family-sponsored preferences. It covers spouses and unmarried children under 21 of lawful permanent residents (LPRs). The category is subject to annual numerical limits and per-country caps, and is one of several "F" categories used to allocate immigrant visas.

Eligibility requires that the beneficiary be the spouse or unmarried child under 21 of an LPR, that the sponsoring relative has LPR status, and that the relationship is legally established. The beneficiary must remain unmarried and, at the time a visa is issued, under age 21. The Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) can affect age calculations in some cases. Applicants must also pass routine background, security, and medical checks.

Processing generally begins with the sponsoring LPR filing Form I-130 with USCIS. After USCIS approves the petition and a visa number becomes available, the case proceeds to consular processing abroad or to adjustment of status in the United States if the beneficiary is eligible and present in the U.S. The Visa Bulletin published monthly shows when the F2A category is current and which countries have waiting lists.

Waiting times vary by country and change over time; some periods the category is "current" (no backlog) while others experience backlogs. When a visa number becomes available and all checks are complete, the beneficiary obtains lawful permanent resident status, subject to final processing.

Note that F2A applies to spouses and unmarried children of LPRs; relatives of U.S. citizens are generally processed under other, often immediate-relative categories rather than F2A.