VisaPalFamily Preference Green Card (F1–F4)
Adult or married children and siblings of U.S. citizens, and spouses and unmarried children of green card holders.
Last verified: 2026-09-25
Requirements
- F1: unmarried sons and daughters (21 or older) of U.S. citizens.
- F2A: spouses and unmarried children under 21 of green card holders.
- F2B: unmarried sons and daughters (21 or older) of green card holders.
- F3: married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
- F4: brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens who are 21 or older.
- Each case needs an I-130, then a wait until the priority date is current.
How long you can stay
Permanent residence with a 10-year card, once a visa number is available and the case is approved.
Timeline
The wait is set mostly by the Visa Bulletin. In September 2026, the F4 filing date was Nov 1, 2011, so siblings can wait well over a decade. USCIS I-130 processing can also take years. Check the bulletin each month.
Government fees
| Fee | Amount | Who usually pays |
|---|---|---|
| I-130 petition for alien relative Online $625. One I-130 per relative, paid by the U.S. citizen or green card holder petitioner. | $675 | Petitioner |
| Affidavit of Support review (NVC) Charged when the State Department reviews Form I-864 domestically for a consular case. Form I-864 itself has no USCIS fee. | $120 | Petitioner |
| Immigrant visa application fee (family-based) Per person. Only if you finish through a U.S. embassy instead of an I-485. | $325 | Applicant |
| USCIS Immigrant Fee (card production) Paid online after you receive the immigrant visa, ideally before you fly. Not charged when you adjust status in the U.S. | $235 | Applicant |
| I-485 green card application (age 14+) Online $1,390. Under 14 and filing with a parent: $950 ($900 online). Only if you apply inside the U.S. | $1,440 | Applicant |
| I-765 work permit with a pending I-485 $260 paper or online when your I-485 was filed with a fee on or after Apr 1, 2024. | $260 | Applicant |
| I-131 advance parole (travel) with a pending I-485 Online $580. Needed only if you plan to travel abroad while the I-485 is pending. | $630 | Applicant |
Most people abroad finish at a U.S. embassy and pay the embassy fees plus the USCIS Immigrant Fee. I-485 fees apply only if you're eligible to adjust inside the U.S.
Typical attorney fees
One firm lists $3,500 for an I-130 when no visa is available yet, and $3,500 for later consular processing. Other pages show $2,000–$6,000 for family cases.
Spouse & children
Spouses and children under 21 can usually come on the same petition. F1 and F2B can include only children, since the main applicant is unmarried.
Work
Once you have the green card, you can work for any employer or yourself. A pending I-485 in the U.S. allows a work permit application.
Path to a green card
This is a green card category. After 5 years as a permanent resident, you may apply to become a U.S. citizen.
Note for Korean applicants
Korea-born applicants use the 'All Chargeability' column. September 2026 filing dates: F1 Feb 1, 2020; F2A Current; F2B Sep 1, 2019; F3 Nov 1, 2014; F4 Nov 1, 2011.
Key documents
- Petitioner's proof of U.S. citizenship or green card
- Birth and marriage certificates showing the relationship
- Form I-864 affidavit of support with tax returns
- Civil documents with certified English translations
- I-797 approval notice showing your priority date
Common pitfalls
- Marrying can change or end your category: F1 becomes F3, and F2B has no married option
- A child turning 21 may 'age out'; the Child Status Protection Act may help
- Not checking which chart USCIS says to use each month
- Using an old I-864 edition: from Oct 1, 2026 USCIS accepts only the 08/24/26 edition
- Missing initial evidence — USCIS may deny without an RFE
Rules in flux
DHS rescinded the 2022 public charge rule (final rule published Jul 20, 2026). Officers now weigh all facts, and any means-tested public benefit received on or after Sep 18, 2026 can be considered. Benefits received before that date are judged under the 2022 rule, which counted mainly cash aid and long-term institutional care. A sufficient Form I-864, when required, is still essential.
Since Aug 5, 2026, USCIS may deny a filing that lacks required initial evidence. It no longer has to send a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) first. An RFE can give less than 12 weeks to respond, and the extra 14 days for mail sent abroad ended. Any reply, even a partial one, is treated as a request for a decision.
Official sources
- Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants — USCIS
- I-130, Petition for Alien Relative — USCIS
- 22 CFR 42.11 — Classification symbols (immigrant visas) — eCFR
- I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA — USCIS
- Fee Schedule (Form G-1055), edition 09/09/26 — USCIS
- 22 CFR 22.1 — Schedule of fees for consular services — eCFR
- Fees for Visa Services — U.S. Department of State
- USCIS Immigrant Fee — USCIS
- The Visa Bulletin — U.S. Department of State
- Adjustment of Status Filing Charts from the Visa Bulletin — USCIS
- When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application: September 2026 — USCIS
- Check Case Processing Times — USCIS
- USCIS Policy Manual Updates — USCIS
- I am a Lawful Permanent Resident of 5 Years — USCIS
- Policy Alert PA-2026-05: Evidence, Requests for Evidence, and Notices of Intent to Deny (Aug 5, 2026) — USCIS
- 8 CFR 204.2 — Petitions for relatives (automatic conversion of preference classification) — eCFR
General information, not legal advice. Rules change often. Check the official source and talk to a licensed immigration attorney before you act.