F2B Unmarried Adult Children Petition in San Bernardino: Family Immigration Guide
Bringing your unmarried adult children to America through family preference immigration
Quick Answer
For green card holders in San Bernardino seeking to bring their unmarried adult children to the United States, the F2B family preference category provides a pathway to permanent residence. SoCal Immigration Services offers Arabic-speaking assistance for families navigating this complex process with its lengthy wait times.
Reviewed for accuracy by
Maria Santos
DOJ Accredited Representative • 15+ years experience
For green card holders in San Bernardino seeking to bring their unmarried adult children to the United States, the F2B family preference category provides a pathway to permanent residence. SoCal Immigration Services offers Arabic-speaking assistance for families navigating this complex process with its lengthy wait times.
What is the F2B Family Preference Category?
Key Facts About F2B:
• Available only to green card holders (not U.S. citizens)
• For unmarried children age 21 or older
• Subject to annual visa quotas
• Current wait times exceed 6-8 years
• Child must remain unmarried throughout the process
F2B Eligibility Requirements
- •The petitioner must be a lawful permanent resident (green card holder)
- •The beneficiary must be your biological, adopted, or stepchild
- •Your child must be 21 years of age or older
- •Your child must be unmarried at the time of filing
- •Your child must remain unmarried until receiving their visa
- •You must be able to prove the parent-child relationship
Current F2B Processing Times and Wait
| Country/Region | Current Wait Time | Priority Date Being Processed |
|---|---|---|
| All Countries (General) | 6-8 years | Check Visa Bulletin |
| Mexico | 20+ years | Severely backlogged |
| Philippines | 10+ years | Heavily backlogged |
| India/China | 8-10 years | Moderately backlogged |
| Middle East (most) | 6-8 years | Standard processing |
The F2B Process Step by Step
- •Step 1: File Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
- •Step 2: Wait for priority date to become current (years)
- •Step 3: USCIS approves the petition
- •Step 4: Case transfers to National Visa Center
- •Step 5: NVC processes and requests documents
- •Step 6: Immigrant visa interview at embassy OR adjustment of status if in US
- •Step 7: Child receives immigrant visa and green card
Required Documents for F2B Petition
- •Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
- •Copy of your green card (front and back)
- •Your child's birth certificate (with certified translation if not in English)
- •Evidence of name changes (marriage certificates, court orders)
- •Your birth certificate showing parent relationship
- •Two passport photos of beneficiary
- •Filing fee ($535)
- •Form G-325A biographical information (if required)
- •Evidence of any adoption proceedings if applicable
Critical: The Unmarried Requirement
• Marriage at any point terminates the petition
• There is no exception to this rule
• If your child marries, you cannot petition for them as a green card holder
• Common law marriages and religious marriages count
• Divorce does not restore eligibility once married
For Arab families in San Bernardino with traditional expectations, this requires careful family planning and clear communication about the immigration timeline.
What Happens If You Become a Citizen?
Positive Change:
• Your child under 21 becomes immediate relative (much faster)
Potentially Negative Change:
• Your unmarried child 21+ moves to F1 category
• F1 has different (sometimes longer) wait times
• Must evaluate whether conversion helps or hurts
We help San Bernardino families strategize about naturalization timing.
F2A vs F2B: Understanding the Difference
| Category | Who Qualifies | Wait Time | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| F2A | Spouse and unmarried children under 21 | 2-4 years | Faster processing |
| F2B | Unmarried children 21 and older | 6-8+ years | Much longer wait |
| Note | If child turns 21, may age out of F2A | CSPA protection applies | Complex calculations |
Child Status Protection Act (CSPA)
How CSPA Works:
• Your child's 'CSPA age' is calculated specially
• Formula: Age at visa availability minus days pending at USCIS
• If CSPA age is under 21 when visa available, they may remain in F2A
• Must seek to acquire immigrant status within one year
This complex calculation requires professional analysis. We help San Bernardino families understand their CSPA options.
Maintaining Status During the Long Wait
- •Student visas (F-1) for continuing education
- •Work visas (H-1B, L-1) if qualified
- •Careful management of any visa status
- •Understanding 3/10 year bars for unlawful presence
- •Regular monitoring of priority date progress
- •Document preservation for eventual processing
San Bernardino F2B Services
- •Arabic and English speaking staff
- •Complete I-130 petition preparation
- •Document gathering and translation
- •Priority date monitoring and updates
- •CSPA age calculations
- •NVC processing assistance
- •Interview preparation
- •Strategy consultation for citizenship timing
Financial Considerations
- •I-130 Filing Fee: $535
- •Document translations: Varies
- •NVC Processing Fee: $120 (when current)
- •Affidavit of Support Fee: $120
- •Medical exam: $200-500
- •Immigrant visa fee: $325
- •USCIS Immigrant Fee: $235
- •Total over time: Approximately $1,500-2,500
- •Note: Fees subject to change over 6-8 year period
FAQFrequently Asked Questions
Q:How long does F2B take from San Bernardino?
A: F2B currently takes 6-8 years for most countries, though applicants from Mexico and the Philippines face much longer waits. The wait time starts from your priority date (filing date) until a visa number becomes available.
Q:What happens if my child gets married while waiting?
A: If your child marries at any point during the F2B process, the petition is automatically terminated. As a green card holder, you cannot petition for married children. There is no exception to this rule.
Q:Should I become a citizen to help my child?
A: This requires careful analysis. Becoming a citizen converts F2B to F1 (unmarried adult children of citizens), which may have different wait times. Sometimes this helps, sometimes it doesn't. We can analyze your specific situation.
Q:Can my child work while waiting for the F2B visa?
A: Only if they have independent work authorization. F2B does not provide work authorization during the waiting period. Your child would need to qualify for a work visa separately or maintain student status.
Q:What if my child turns 21 while my petition is pending?
A: The Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) may protect your child from aging out. A special formula calculates their 'CSPA age' which may keep them in the faster F2A category. This calculation is complex and requires professional analysis.
Q:Can I petition for multiple children at once?
A: Yes, you can file separate I-130 petitions for each qualifying child. Each child will have their own priority date and case. Filing together means they'll have the same priority date and may be processed together.
Ready to Start Your F2B Petition in San Bernardino?
Despite the long wait times, starting your F2B petition now establishes your priority date. Our Arabic-speaking team helps Inland Empire families navigate this process.
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