United States•North America1-2 years
3,420 USD
Indefinite
Yes
Not Required
Allowed
Available
Allowed
Spouses and unmarried children (under 21) of lawful permanent residents.
The F2A is a US family-based immigrant visa for spouses and unmarried children under 21 of lawful permanent residents (LPRs). It leads directly to a green card and falls under the second family preference category, subject to annual numerical limits.
The LPR petitioner must meet 125% of federal poverty guidelines via Form I-864. If the marriage was under 2 years at approval, a conditional 2-year green card is issued and conditions removed via Form I-751. Spouses receive unrestricted work authorization on approval; an EAD is available while I-485 is pending.
This visa is ideal for spouses and minor children of US green card holders who want to join their LPR family member and obtain permanent residence.
Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative - online filing) | 625 USD |
Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative - paper filing) | 675 USD |
Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status, ages 14–78, includes biometrics) | 1,440 USD |
DS-260 Immigrant Visa Application Fee (consular processing) | 325 USD |
Affidavit of Support review fee (consular processing) | 120 USD |
USCIS Immigrant Fee (consular processing) | 235 USD |
Medical examination (Form I-693 or DS-2053) | — |
| I-130 petition (USCIS) | 1 year – 2 years |
| I-485 Adjustment of Status (after visa availability) | 6 months – 1.5 years |
| Consular processing (after visa availability) | 3 months – 1 year |
| Status type | Permanent / indefinite |
~87,900 (77% of F2 annual allocation; F2 total is ~114,200 of the worldwide family preference limit)
Petitioner must be a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR/green card holder)
Qualifying relationship: spouse or unmarried child under 21 of the LPR petitioner
Relationship must be bona fide (genuine marriage or biological/legal parent-child)
Petitioner must meet income threshold (125% of federal poverty guidelines via Form I-864)
Beneficiary must be admissible to the United States
Visa number must be available per the monthly USCIS Visa Bulletin
Education
none or higher
Min. Income
27,050 EUR/yr
Form I-130 with filing fee
Form I-130A (if beneficiary is a spouse)
Copy of petitioner's Permanent Resident Card (both sides)
Proof of qualifying relationship (marriage certificate or birth certificate)
Passport-style photos for beneficiary
Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) with tax returns, W-2s, and pay stubs
Valid passport for beneficiary
Civil documents: birth certificates, marriage certificates for all parties
Police clearance certificates from each country of residence (consular processing)
Medical examination results (Form I-693 or DS-2053)
Form I-485 or DS-260 depending on processing pathway
| I-130 Petition for Alien Relative | Fill online |
| I-130A Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary | 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-765 Application for Employment Authorization | Fill online |
| I-131 Application for Travel Document | Fill online |
| DS-260 Immigrant Visa Electronic Application | Fill online |
| Application Steps | LPR petitioner files Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS; Wait for I-130 approval an… | uscis.gov |
| Dependent Visa | Dependents allowed, spouse can work | uscis.gov |
| Fee Breakdown | Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative - online filing): 625 USD; Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Re… | uscis.gov |
| Fees | I-130: $625 (online) or $675 (paper); I-485 (adjustment of status): $1,440; or consular processing: … | uscis.gov |
| Forms | Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative); Form I-130A (Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficia… | uscis.gov |
| Forms · DS-260 · description | Immigrant Visa Electronic Application | travel.state.gov |
| Forms · I-130A · description | Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary | uscis.gov |
| Forms · I-130A · url | https://www.uscis.gov/i-130a | uscis.gov |
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