F1 Visa — Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

The F1 Family Preference Visa allows unmarried sons and daughters (aged 21 or older) of U.S. citizens to immigrate to the United States as lawful permanent residents. It is part of the Family First Preference (F1) category under the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

Key Features of the F1 Visa:

• Eligibility: The F1 visa is reserved for unmarried sons and daughters (21 years or older) of U.S. citizens. Applicants must prove their biological or legal parent-child relationship to the U.S. citizen sponsor.
• Petition Filing (Form I-130): The process begins when the U.S. citizen parent files Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once approved, the petition is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC) for further processing.
• Priority Date: The priority date — the date USCIS receives the I-130 — determines the applicant’s place in the visa queue. F1 visas are subject to annual numerical limits and may have waiting periods depending on the applicant’s country of origin.
• Visa Bulletin: The Visa Bulletin issued monthly by the U.S. Department of State shows which priority dates are currently being processed. Applicants can apply for their visa once their priority date becomes current.
• Consular Processing: Once the priority date is current, the applicant applies for an immigrant visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country. This includes completing the DS-260 immigrant visa application, submitting supporting documents, and attending a visa interview.
• Adjustment of Status (AOS): If the F1 applicant is lawfully present in the United States, they may file Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) to become a Green Card holder without leaving the U.S.
• Required Documentation: Applicants must present proof of family relationship (birth certificates, adoption records, etc.), civil documents, police clearances, financial evidence (Form I-864, Affidavit of Support), and valid medical examinations.
• Dependents: The F1 visa allows the spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of the principal applicant to immigrate as derivative beneficiaries under the F2B visa category.
• Permanent Residency: Upon entry to the U.S. on an F1 visa or approval of adjustment of status, the individual becomes a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) and can live, work, and study in the U.S. indefinitely.
• Naturalization: After five years of lawful permanent residence (or three if married to a U.S. citizen later), F1 visa holders may apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization, subject to eligibility requirements.

The F1 Family Preference Visa provides an important pathway for U.S. citizens to reunite with their adult unmarried children in the United States. At Visa2Migrate, we help families understand each stage of the petition and visa process, ensuring clarity and compliance with all U.S. immigration requirements.