United States•North America180-730 days
3,620 USD
Indefinite
No
Not Required
Allowed
Available
Allowed
Unmarried adult sons and daughters (21+) of U.S. citizens. Subject to annual numerical limit.
The F1 is a US family-based immigrant visa granting lawful permanent residence to unmarried sons and daughters aged 21 or older of US citizens. Subject to an annual cap of 23,400 visas plus any unused Family Fourth Preference numbers, it is governed by monthly Visa Bulletin priority dates.
Processing takes several years for most countries, with 20+ year waits for Mexico and the Philippines due to per-country demand. The petitioner must be a US citizen who meets the 125% poverty income threshold ($27,050 for a household of two). Minor children of the beneficiary may join as derivatives.
This visa is ideal for unmarried adult children of US citizens who accept multi-year waits in exchange for a permanent green card and a path to naturalization.
Form I-130 filing fee (online) | 625 USD |
Form I-130 filing fee (paper) | 675 USD |
Immigrant visa application fee (DS-260 / NVC) | 325 USD |
NVC Affidavit of Support fee (Form I-864 review) | 120 USD |
USCIS Immigrant Fee (paid after visa issuance, before entry) | 235 USD |
Medical examination (panel physician, varies by location) | 200 USD |
Form I-485 filing fee (if adjusting status inside U.S.) | 1,440 USD |
| I-130 petition (USCIS) | 6 months – 2 years |
| Total process — most countries (excl. Mexico/Philippines) | 5 years – 20 years |
| Total process — Mexico | 20 years – 100 years |
| Total process — Philippines | 20 years – 75 years |
| Status type | Permanent / indefinite |
23,400 visas per year, plus any unused visas from the Family Fourth Preference (F4) category
Petitioner must be a U.S. citizen
Beneficiary must be an unmarried son or daughter age 21 or older
Proof of qualifying parent-child relationship (birth certificate or equivalent)
Petitioner must meet income threshold of 125% of federal poverty level (Form I-864)
Beneficiary must remain unmarried throughout entire application process
Beneficiary must be admissible to the United States
Priority date must be current per monthly Visa Bulletin before immigrant visa can be issued
Education
none or higher
Min. Income
27,050 EUR/yr
Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)
Petitioner's proof of U.S. citizenship (U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or birth certificate)
Birth certificate proving parent-child relationship
Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) with petitioner's most recent tax returns and financial documentation
Proof of unmarried status (divorce decrees if previously married)
Police certificates from all countries where beneficiary has resided for 6+ months since age 16
Medical examination results
Two passport-style photos
Valid passport (at least 6 months validity beyond intended entry date)
Civil documents (e.g., name change records if applicable)
| I-130 Petition for Alien Relative | Fill online |
| DS-260 Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application | Fill online |
| I-864 Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA | 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 |
| Application Steps | U.S. citizen petitioner files Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS; Wait for I-130 ap… | travel.state.gov |
| Dependent Visa | Minor children allowed as derivatives; spouse not applicable (beneficiary must be unmarried) | travel.state.gov |
| Fee Breakdown | Form I-130 filing fee (online): 625 USD; Form I-130 filing fee (paper): 675 USD; Immigrant visa appl… | uscis.gov |
| Fee Breakdown · USCIS Immigrant Fee (paid after visa issuance, before entry) · amount | 220 | uscis.gov |
| Fees | $625 (online) or $675 (paper) Form I-130 filing fee + $325 immigrant visa application fee (DS-260) +… | uscis.gov |
| Forms | Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative); Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Applica… | uscis.gov |
| Forms · DS-260 · description | Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application | travel.state.gov |
| Forms · I-130 · description | Petition for Alien Relative | uscis.gov |
Let's check your eligibility against published requirements. 2 minutes. Free trial.
Check Eligibility