Reviewed by André Matias, Esq., Principal Attorney
Permanent residency
For lawful permanent residents (green card holders) in the United States, the dream of bringing their spouse and unmarried children under 21 to join them is within reach through the F2A visa.
At Altius Immigration Law, we understand that family is the cornerstone of happiness and success. Our dedicated team of F2A immigration attorneys is here to guide you through every step of this journey, ensuring a smooth path to family reunification.
What is the F2A Visa?
The F2A visa is a family-based immigrant visa category designed for:
- Spouses of lawful permanent residents
- Unmarried children (under 21 years old) of lawful permanent residents
This visa category is a crucial pathway for green card holders to bring their immediate family members to the United States, allowing them to live, work, and study in the country permanently.
Why Choose Altius Immigration Law for Your F2A Visa?
At Altius, we bring more than just legal experience to your case:
- Experienced Attorneys: Our team has successfully handled numerous F2A visa cases, navigating the complexities of immigration law with precision.
- Personal Approach: We understand the emotional weight of family separation. Our approach combines professional experience with genuine compassion.
- Comprehensive Support: From initial consultation to your family’s arrival in the U.S., we’re by your side at every stage.
- Multilingual Services: We offer services in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French, ensuring clear communication throughout the process.
- Strategic Planning: We develop tailored strategies for each case, addressing potential challenges proactively to minimize delays.
F2A Visa Requirements
To sponsor your spouse or unmarried children under 21 for an F2A visa, you must meet the following criteria:
- Lawful Permanent Resident Status: You must be a green card holder in the United States.
- Proof of Relationship: You need to provide evidence of your relationship with your spouse or children.
- Financial Capability: You must demonstrate the ability to financially support your family members in the U.S.
Your family members must also meet certain requirements:
- Health Requirements: Pass a medical examination.
- Character Requirements: Clear criminal background checks.
- Admissibility: Meet general U.S. immigration admissibility criteria.
Don’t let these requirements overwhelm you. Our experienced attorneys at Altius Immigration Law will guide you through each step, ensuring you have all the necessary documentation and meet all criteria.
The F2A Visa Process: Your Path to Family Reunification
Bringing your spouse or unmarried children under 21 to the U.S. involves several steps. Here’s an overview of the process:
- File the Petition: Submit Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, to USCIS.
- Wait for Approval: USCIS processes your petition.
- Priority Date: Once your I-130 is approved, your family members are assigned a priority date.
- Visa Availability: Wait for an F2A visa to become available based on the priority date.
- National Visa Center (NVC) Processing: When a visa is available, your case moves to the NVC for further processing.
- Visa Application: Your family members complete the DS-260 immigrant visa application.
- Document Submission: Gather and submit required civil documents to the NVC.
- Interview Preparation: We help prepare your family for their visa interview.
- Visa Interview: Your family members attend an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country.
- Visa Issuance: If approved, your family members receive their F2A visas.
- Travel to the U.S.: Your family enters the U.S. and becomes lawful permanent residents.
At Altius Immigration Law, we’re committed to making this process as smooth as possible. We’ll be there to assist you at each stage, from preparing the initial petition to ensuring your family is ready for their visa interview.
Common Challenges in F2A Visa Cases
While the F2A visa process is generally straightforward, some families may face challenges:
- Visa Availability: F2A visas are subject to annual numerical limits, which can lead to waiting periods.
- Document Verification: Proving the legitimacy of your relationship can be complex, especially in cases of recent marriages.
- Financial Requirements: Meeting the financial sponsorship requirements can be challenging for some families.
- Age-Out Issues: Children nearing 21 may “age out” of eligibility during the process.
- Processing Delays: Unexpected delays can occur at various stages of the application.
Our experienced attorneys at Altius are well-versed in handling these challenges. We work proactively to address potential issues before they become problems, ensuring a smoother process for your family.
Benefits of the F2A Visa
The F2A visa offers numerous advantages for both you and your family:
- Family Reunification: Bring your spouse and young children to live with you in the United States.
- Permanent Residence: Your family members receive green cards upon arrival in the US
- Work Authorization: Your spouse can legally work in the US upon arrival.
- Education Opportunities: Your children can attend US schools and universities as residents.
- Path to Citizenship: After holding a green card for five years, your family members may be eligible for US citizenship.
The decision to bring your family to the United States is significant, and the process takes time. By starting now, you’re taking the first step towards reuniting your family and providing them with new opportunities in the US. The sooner you begin, the sooner your family can be together.
At Altius Immigration Law, we’re ready to help you navigate this journey. Our team of dedicated attorneys will work tirelessly to ensure your F2A visa application is strong, complete, and positioned for success.
Get Started with Altius Immigration Law
Don’t let borders keep your family apart any longer. Take the first step towards reuniting with your spouse and children in the United States.
Contact Altius Immigration Law today to schedule a consultation. We’ll review your situation, answer your questions, and develop a personalized strategy for your F2A visa application.
Let us help you bring your family together. Your family’s new life in the U.S. begins with a call to Altius Immigration Law.
Check out the benefits of the family green card and immigrating to the USA
The Benefits of the Family-Based Green Card
Obtaining a Green Card through family sponsorship to the USA brings a number of benefits for you and your loved ones:
Family reunion
With a family sponsorship visa, you can build a life together with your family in the United States, strengthening bonds and creating unforgettable memories.
Access to opportunities
The United States offers a wide range of educational, professional, and other opportunities. With a family sponsorship green card, you can take advantage of these benefits.
In addition, the United States is known for its diversity and inclusion, providing a welcoming and receptive environment for people from different backgrounds and cultures. Regardless of where you come from, there is a community for everyone, which makes it easy to adapt and feel at home.
What’s more, the country is renowned for its excellence in various sectors, such as technology, medicine, research, and entrepreneurship, which means you’ll have access to some of the best career opportunities in the world. Whatever your area of interest, the United States offers an environment conducive to personal and professional growth.
Security and stability
The United States is known for its solid legal system and quality infrastructure. By obtaining a family sponsorship green card, you and your loved ones can enjoy security and stability in a new country.
The United States offers many educational opportunities for its citizens. With a family sponsorship green card, your children will have access to a quality education, from elementary school to higher education. Educational institutions in the United States are recognized worldwide for their academic excellence and offer a wide variety of courses and study programs.
Cultural diversity is also an attractive aspect of the United States. By moving to the country on a family sponsorship green card, you will have the opportunity to experience a unique mix of cultures, traditions and experiences. From the vibrant arts and music scene to the internationally renowned cuisine, the United States offers a plethora of possibilities to explore and appreciate different cultures.
In addition, the USA is known for its job opportunities and entrepreneurship. With a family sponsorship green card, you’ll be able to pursue new career opportunities or even start your own business. The country offers a favorable environment for professional and economic growth, enabling you and your family to achieve your goals and prosper in a new country.
Simplified Family Sponsorship Green Card Process
At Altius, we are committed to facilitating the process of obtaining your Family-based Green Card. Our team will help you with
- 1Initial assessment
- 2Collecting documents
- 3Preparing the application forms and evidences
- 4Preparing for the interview
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered
How long does the F2A visa process take?+
The processing time can vary, but it typically takes 1-2 years from filing the I-130 petition to visa issuance. Our attorneys will provide you with more specific timelines based on current processing times.
What happens if my child turns 21 during the process?+
The Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) may protect your child from aging out in some cases. Our attorneys will carefully calculate your child's CSPA age and advise on the best course of action.
Lawyer Green Card Family
Benefits of a family-based green card with Altius
Altius’ specialized team has experience in family immigration and is ready to guide you through every step of the process of obtaining a family sponsorship visa for the USA. We know that each case is unique, so we offer customized solutions that suit your individual needs.
Get in touch
If you're looking forward to reuniting your family in the United States, Altius is ready to help. Our team of family immigration specialists is committed to providing exceptional service and high-quality legal advice. Contact us today and let us help you achieve your family immigration goals.