How can I check my F2B visa status?

Checking your F2B visa status

It is a straightforward process to check your immigrant visa status. First, locate your priority date on Form I-797 which you received when your Form I-130 (Petition for an Alien Relative) was filed.

Next, determine your applicable preference category. If you have submitted an F2B visa application and you are checking the F2B visa status, this means you are the unmarried son or daughter of a lawful permanent resident (LPR) of the United States.

To check the status, go to the current visa bulletin issued by the Department of State and find your relevant table.

You should then find the date for your family-sponsored preference category under the relevant country of application.

Compare this date with your priority date in Form I-797. If the priority date you have been given is prior to the date on the visa bulletin, then the status of your visa is available (current). You can apply for your green card by completing Form I-485.

However, if the priority date falls after the visa bulletin date, your immigrant visa is not yet available and you must wait. It is your responsibility to regularly check the bulletin to monitor the status of your visa.

How long do you have to wait for the F2B visa?

The length of time you have to wait for your family-based green card will depend on the specific type of visa you have applied for, as well as the country you are applying from.

Citizens of China, India, the Philippines, and Mexico may face lengthy delays when it comes to visa wait times. Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing in advance how long you will have to wait until the wait is nearly finished.

By regularly checking the Department of State’s visa bulletin, you can check your waiting time and track the progress of applications in this category.

If your sponsor becomes a US citizen through the citizenship process while you are waiting for your priority date, you may be eligible to apply for an immediate relative visa. There are no quotas for these categories of visas and the waiting time is much shorter.

How to apply for the F2B visa

If you are eligible for the F2B visa, you should follow the below steps in order to join your family member in the United States.

The eligibility criteria include being aged over 21 years, unmarried, and having a family member sponsor who is legal permanent resident (green card holder) in the US.

To apply for the F2B visa, your sponsor must file a petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Following this, you should check the visa bulletin regularly until your application date becomes current.

When your date is available, you can submit your application by completing the appropriate form, submitting the medical documents, and attending a visa application appointment. If your application is successful, you will be given instructions on how to enter the US.

What is the priority date for visa applications?

There are many immigration terms and phrases used by the USCIS to describe the visa waiting process. One such term is the priority date.

When your sponsor files a petition with the USCIS, they will receive a ‘priority date’ which means the date that the petition was received. In the majority of circumstances, your priority date will not move and you must wait for it to become current.

The ‘final action dates’ refers to the green card category (i.e., F2B) and the chargeability area (or the country of origin of the applicant).

The final action date changes based on how many applicants from a particular area apply for a particular category.

Another important term is the ‘date for filing chart’ and the ‘final action date.’ The date for the filing chart refers to whether an applicant may submit the final immigrant visa application.

The final action date outlined whether an immigrant visa number will soon become available.

How can IAS help with my F2B visa?

The Immigration Advice Service works with clients who are applying for the F2B visa. We understand that it can take a long time and sometimes a significant amount of money to submit your application.

All our immigration lawyers are highly trained in all areas of immigration law and can assist you with your application.

Working with an immigration lawyer can maximize your opportunities of a successful application.

If you choose to work with IAS, you will have a dedicated advisor to support you throughout your case. They will review the visa bulletin regularly and update you when your priority date is current.

Phone us on +1 844 290 6312 for a confidential discussion about your immigration case. Alternatively, you can use the online contact form to speak with us.