San Francisco Family Preference Visa Attorneys

Eligibility Criteria for Family Preference Visas in San Francisco, CA

People living in the United States who have family members living in other countries may want to bring their loved ones to live with them. There are multiple options for family-based immigration, and in many situations, Immediate Relative visas are the ideal choice. For those who do not qualify for visas as the immediate family members of U.S. citizens, Family Preference visas, also known as F visas, may be available. While there are no limits on Immediate Relative visas, there are quotas that cap the number of Family Preference visas issued each year.

Understanding the eligibility criteria, preference categories, and application process is essential for families who are planning to reunite in the United States. At Hafey & Karim, our immigration lawyers have extensive experience working with families to prepare and submit visa applications and supporting documentation, and we can also assist with applications for Green Cards, defense against deportation, asylum, VAWA self-petitions, and other legal issues that may affect immigrants and their loved ones. We are here to provide the highest level of legal support to ensure that matters related to immigration will be handled correctly.

Eligibility for Family Preference Visas

F visas are divided into several categories, and a certain number of visas is available for each category each year. Typically, there are a total of 226,000 Family Preference visas that may be issued each year. F visas are allocated according to an order of preference, with different categories having higher priority. The categories are as follows:

1. F1 (first preference): These visas can be obtained through sponsorship by a U.S. citizen, who may apply to bring their children to the United States. To qualify for this category, children must be at least 21 years old, and they cannot be legally married. There are around 23,00 visas available in this category each year.
2. F2A (second preference A): These visas can be obtained through sponsorship by lawful permanent residents. A Green Card holder can sponsor their spouse, and they can also sponsor children who are under the age of 21 and unmarried. The most visas are allocated to this category, with around 87,000 visas being available each year.
3. F2B (second preference B): A Green Card holder can also provide sponsorship for their adult (21+) children, as long as the children are unmarried. Around 26,000 of these visas may be issued each year.
4. F3 (third preference): U.S. citizens can sponsor adult children who are married for this category of visa, and around 23,000 visas may be available each year.
5. F4 (fourth preference): At the lowest preference level, U.S. citizens can sponsor their siblings (sisters and brothers) for visas. The sponsor must be over the age of 21. There are around 65,000 visas allocated to this category each year, and any unused visas will be allocated to the first preference category.

Due to these numerical limits, applicants often face extended wait times, especially in higher preference categories. The wait time can vary greatly depending on the applicant's country of origin and the specific category of visa, but there are many cases where immigrants must wait several years for visas to become available.

Contact Our San Francisco, CA and Dallas, TX Family Preference Visa Attorneys

Citizens or permanent residents of the United States can provide invaluable help to loved ones in other countries by sponsoring them for immigration. However, they will need to meet multiple legal requirements and complete a variety of complex procedures, including filling petitions and visa applications, submitting supporting documentation, and demonstrating that they can financially support immigrants who come to the U.S. At Hafey & Karim, we understand the complexities of the immigration system, and we can provide comprehensive legal support during every step of the process of applying for visas, Green Cards, or citizenship. With our help, immigrants and their loved ones can build positive lives together in the United States. To set up a free consultation and learn more about our immigration services, contact us online.