What is a Family-Based Visa?
A family-based visa is a type of visa that allows the family members of U.S. citizens or permanent residents to enter the country.
The family-based visas have a lot of types, depending on which family members are applying for it and what their relationships are with the sponsor.
Who Qualifies for a Family Visa?
The United States welcomes families. They are looking for ways to strengthen the family unit and build stronger communities. To do this, they have developed a process in which a family member can come to the US and live with their relatives. There are two types of visas that allow you to live in the US with your relatives:
1) Family Visitor Visa (B-2)
2) Family Visa (F-2 or F-3)
A visitor visa is not a permanent residency visa, and it is not available for people who want to stay in the US permanently. It is a temporary visa that allows you to visit a relative or loved one in the US for up to six months at a time. This type of visa does not provide any means of employment, so if you want to work, you’ll need an additional type of visa.
Family visas are available for spouses, parents, children under 21 years old, and siblings under 18 years old of US citizens or legal permanent residents.
How to Apply for a Family Visa?
In this section, we will discuss the steps you need to take to apply for a family visa.
The first step is to find out if you are eligible. You need to be a close relative of an American citizen or permanent resident. This includes your spouse, parents, siblings, children, or grandchildren. You also need to have the sponsorship of your relative, which is called an “affidavit of support”.
The next step is filling out the application form and gathering supporting documents that prove your relationship with the sponsor and your eligibility for the visa type you are applying for. It can be a tough process but it will be worth it in the end!
What is Family Visitor Visa (B-2)
A family visitor is a citizen of a country who wishes to enter the U.S. temporarily who is related to an American citizen or legal permanent resident, and they intend to visit the United States for pleasure.
Requirements for Application For A Family Visitor Visa (B-2)
If you are coming to the United States to visit family or friends, you should apply for a B-2 visitor visa. at a U.S. embassy or consulate before you travel to the United States.
1) You must have close family ties in the United States
2) The relationship must be legal in your home country
3) You must show that you have funds available for your visit and return trip home
4) You will not be granted a visa if you filed for asylum, refugee or withholding of removal during the last 15 years.
Documents needed For A Family Visitor Visa (B-2)
There are a number of documents typically required for a Family Visitor Visa (B-2) application. These include:
- An original document proving your relationship to the United States citizen or permanent resident
- Your current passport
- A letter of invitation from a United States citizen or permanent resident
- The appropriate visa fee ($160) or an official receipt for a fee waiver you received from the U.S. consulate
- A return ticket or evidence that you plan to leave the United States after your authorized stay
- Official documentation of your financial support while in the United States, such as a letter from a family member or employer
- Any evidence that you plan to return to your home country after visiting the U.S., such as an employment contract, study materials, transportation vouchers, or family members outside of the United States.
What are Family Visa F-2 and Family Visa F-3?
The US F-2 and F-3 visa are family visas. The US F-2 visa is for the spouse and minor children of a US citizen. The US F-3 visa is for unmarried children (over 21 years old) of a US citizen or their minor child. Eligibility requirements vary based on the type of relationship between the child and the sponsor. The relationship must be a close family relationship, for example, biological children, legally adopted children, or stepchildren, but not in-laws.
What are the Typical Documents Required for Family F-2 Visas Application?
The following are the typical documents that are required for a family F-2 visa application:
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate from the spouse who is a U.S. citizen or resident
- Divorce decree, if applicable
- Police certificates from every country in which the applicant has lived for six months or more since age 16 (applicant must be 18 years old)
- Proof of financial support, such as recent pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, or other documentation
- Form I-864 Affidavit of Support (signed by U.S. sponsor and co-sponsor)
These documents can be submitted in person to an embassy or consulate abroad, by mail to the Department of State’s National Visa Center (NVC), or by mail to a USCIS office in the United States.
What are the Typical Documents Required for Family F-3 Visas Application?
Family F-3 Visas are visas granted to the spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 of a US citizen.
Typical documents required for Family F-3 Visas application:
- Proof of relationship between the applicant and sponsor
- Proof of financial support from the sponsor
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate, if applicable
- Divorce decree, if applicable
- Police clearance certificate from all places lived since age 16 or last 5 years, whichever is most recent.
Can I Get Permanent Residency if I’m Coming from Abroad as an Immediate Relative of a U.S. Citizen?
The answer is yes. Immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen can apply for permanent residency in the U.S., even if they are not currently living in the country or have never been to the country before. Some people are not eligible for this type of visa, and it’s important to know what types of relatives qualify for this benefit and how to apply for it. The immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen are the spouse, parent, son or daughter (a child who is not married and under 21 years old), son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother or sister of the citizen who is at least 18 years old are all eligible. This includes an adopted child of the U.S. Citizen who is 18 years old or younger when he or she applies for permanent residency in the country as an immediate relative of a citizen (and the U.S. citizen who adopted them has maintained sole physical custody for at least 2 years).
The following groups are NOT eligible to apply for this visa: If married for less than 2 years, if the marriage is not legal, or if the petitioner does not meet the requirements above.
