The F2B visa category is for unmarried adult children of U.S. green card holders (lawful permanent residents). It has been a subject of interest and worry for many people involved in immigration. They want to know why this category has not moved much and when it will improve. In this detailed guide, we try to clarify the F2B visa category, describing its details, the causes of its slow movement, and what might happen next.
What is the F2B Visa Category?
The F2B visa category is reserved for unmarried adult children (over the age of 21) of lawful permanent residents of the United States. This category requires the green card holder to file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, on behalf of their adult child. Once approved, the case moves to the National Visa Center, where it awaits the priority date to become current, signifying that a visa is available.
Why is the F2B Category So Delayed?
The main cause of the F2B category delay is the cap on the number of visas that can be granted each year, along with high demand. The F2 category, which covers both F2A (spouses and children of permanent residents and F2B visas, has a total yearly limit of 114,000. In particular, the F2B category receives 34,260 visas per year.
Countries with a lot of applicants, such as China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines, face especially long delays. However, many other countries also have more demand than supply, leading to longer waiting periods for visa availability.
What Can Be Done to Address the Backlog?
There are different ways to reduce the F2B category’s backlog. One way is to pass laws that raise the yearly visa limit, which would enable more people to be processed every year. Another way is to adopt policies that use up visas that are left over from other categories, and allocate them to categories like F2B that have too many applicants.
Predictions for the F2B Visa Category
It’s hard to say for sure, but there are signs that the processing of F2B visas might speed up a bit as we get further into 2024. Efforts to clear the National Visa Center backlog, which is reportedly shrinking by 4-5% each month, show some improvement. However, it’s unclear whether this will affect the F2B category much.
Legislative changes or policy adjustments could also change how fast F2B visas are processed. Hopefully, by August 2024, we could see quicker movement in this category, but the degree of this change is still unknown.
Staying Informed and Optimistic
Being informed is vital for those who are going through the F2B visa process. Follow trustworthy immigration news sources and get advice from immigration experts to know how policy or legislation changes might impact your case.
The journey to get a visa in the F2B category can be long and unpredictable, but it’s important to stay positive. The immigration situation is always changing, and there might be improvements that could speed up the process. Meanwhile, exchanging information and stories with others who are in similar circumstances can offer support and useful tips.
Don’t forget, if you need help with your immigration issues, you can always contact professionals who can help you with the process and give you customized advice based on the latest updates.
As we look ahead, we hope for a more simple and effective process that allows families to reunite without long waits. By staying informed and active, applicants and their families can deal with the complexities of the immigration system more efficiently, getting closer to fulfilling their American dream.
If you or your family members have any questions about how immigration and nationality laws in the United States may affect you, or if you want to access additional information about immigration and nationality laws in the United States or Canada, please do not hesitate to contact the immigration and nationality lawyers at NPZ Law Group. You can reach us by emailing info@visaserve.com or by calling us at 201-670-0006 extension 104. We also invite you to visit our website at www.visaserve.com for more information.