Family-based immigration is one of the major sources of US immigration. What are the US family-based immigration visa processes and categories? Today, Worldway Immigration will explain them to you.
US family-based immigration visa application process:
Step 1: US citizens submit Form I-130 at the US Citizenship and Immigration Services office in their area of residence. If the US petitioner has resided in China for more than six months, they may submit the application to the local immigration office based on the jurisdiction of their place of residence.
Step 2: If the application is submitted in the United States, the approved I-130 will be sent directly to the National Visa Center (NVC) and then to the Consulate General. The time for the Visa Center to forward it is approximately 3-4 months. However, there may be delays due to customs clearance procedures in China.
Note: After the NVC receives the application fee, they will mail you an immigration instruction packet (including Form DS-230 PDF). Please fill out the form according to the instructions and mail it back to the NVC along with the required materials. The faster you submit the forms and relevant materials, the faster your application will be processed.
If your I-130 is submitted in China, your immigration application will be sent directly to the consulate without needing to go through the NVC. Once the consulate receives the file, they will mail an instruction packet to your beneficiary.
Step 3: After the consulate receives the file, they will first review it to ensure the applicant's information is complete. If any materials are missing, the consulate will mail an instruction packet to the beneficiary. After confirming that the materials are complete, the consulate will schedule an interview for the applicant. The processing time is approximately 2-4 months.
Step 4: Once the consulate determines the interview date, they will mail the applicant an appointment packet (also known as Packet 4) explaining how to prepare for the interview materials. The applicant must undergo a medical examination at a designated hospital (PDF) before the interview.
US family-based immigration visa categories are divided into the following 4 types based on relationship:
① Family First Preference, annual quota of 23,400
F1: Unmarried children of US citizens who are adults (over 21 years old), including children born out of wedlock under 21; the application process takes about 6 years.
② Family Second Preference, annual quota of 114,200
F2A: Spouses and unmarried children under 21 of US permanent residents (green card holders), accounting for at least 77% of the annual quota; the application process takes about 5 years.
F2B: Unmarried children over 21 of US permanent residents, including children born out of wedlock, accounting for about 23% of the annual quota; the application process takes about 9 years.
③ Family Third Preference, annual quota of 23,400
F3: Married children of US citizens and their families; the application process takes about 8 years.
④ Family Fourth Preference, annual quota of 65,000
F4: Siblings of US citizens and their unmarried children under 21.
However, another prerequisite for this type of family-based immigration is that the US citizen must be over 21 years old.
The above is the complete content regarding US family-based immigration visa processes and categories. If you have any other questions or questions related to US investment immigration, you can consult Worldway Immigration customer service.
