United States•North America3 months – 100 years
Varies by processing route
$2,745–$3,595 USD
Varies by filing options
Indefinite
Not renewable
Renewal
Not renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
Yes
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote work OK
Unmarried adult sons and daughters (21+) of lawful permanent residents.
The F2B is a US immigrant visa for unmarried sons and daughters aged 21 or older whose parent is a lawful permanent resident (not a US citizen). It is family-sponsored, requires no job offer or education credential, and grants a green card on approval. About 26,266 visas are issued each year.
Priority date backlogs are severe: roughly 9 years for most countries, around 13 years for the Philippines, and up to 17 years for Mexico. The beneficiary must remain unmarried throughout — marriage ends F2B qualification immediately. Dependents (unmarried children under 21) may accompany the principal.
This visa is ideal for the adult unmarried child of a US green card holder who wants a permanent path to US residence without relying on an employer or a US citizen parent.
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| I-130 USCIS adjudication | 1–2 years |
| NVC processing (consular) | 3–6 months |
| Priority date wait — most countries (rest of world) | 5–15 years |
| Priority date wait — Mexico | 20–100 years |
| Priority date wait — Philippines | 20–50 years |
| Status type | Permanent / indefinite |
Approximately 26,266 visas per year (23% of the 114,200 F2 family preference total, per INA § 203(a)(2))
Petitioner must be a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR)
Beneficiary must be an unmarried son or daughter of the LPR petitioner
Beneficiary must be 21 years of age or older
Petitioner and beneficiary must have a qualifying parent-child relationship
Beneficiary must remain unmarried throughout the entire petition process — marriage terminates F2B qualification
Beneficiary must be admissible to the United States or qualify for a waiver of inadmissibility
Petitioner must demonstrate financial ability to support beneficiary above 125% of the federal poverty level (Form I-864)
Min. Income
27,050 EUR/yr
Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)
Copy of petitioner's green card (proof of LPR status)
Birth certificate proving qualifying parent-child relationship
Beneficiary's valid passport
Proof of unmarried status (if previously married: divorce decrees or death certificates of prior spouses)
Police certificates from all countries of residence of 6 months or more after age 16
Medical examination results
Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) with petitioner's tax returns and financial evidence
Passport-style photographs
Any court records, military records, or other civil documents as required by NVC
| I-130 Petition for Alien Relative | Fill online |
| I-864 Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA | Fill online |
| DS-260 Immigrant Visa Electronic Application | 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 |
| I-131 Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records | Fill online |
| I-765 Application for Employment Authorization | Fill online |
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