Family First Preference (F1) Visas

F1 Visa for Unmarried Sons and Daughters: What Is It?

The F1 Visa is a green card issued to unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. Citizens. (Note that this visa is not available for sons and daughters of a person who has a lawful permanent residence (known as a green card holder) in the U.S.)

• The married sons and daughters must be 21 years of age or older and not minor children.
• Certain conditions apply.
• Depending on the family member, applying for another type of green card might be necessary.

Family First Preference (F1) Visa Application Process

Applicants should follow four distinct steps of the application process:

Step 1: Visa Petition

The US citizen petition must submit Form I-130 online to USCIS. In addition to presenting accompanying documents, the petitioner must be able to prove a genuine family relationship with the unmarried child.

Step 2: USCIS Decision and Visa Process Application Submission

Upon receiving the petition, USCIS officers will verify everything before approving or denying the request. Upon approval, the applicant will need to submit some documents with a visa issuance fee and wait for the visa to be issued.

Step 3: Waiting for the Visa

Applicants are placed in a queue, so the unmarried child has to wait for a visa to become available. About 226,000 visas are granted annually.

Step 4: Embassy or Consulate Interview

Applicants located outside the US will be required to undergo consular processing. They will need to appear at their nearest US embassy or consulate for an interview. As soon as their visa is approved, they can enter the United States as Family First Preference (F1) Visa holders.

Preparing for the F-1 Visa Interview

F-1 visa interview needs you to be prepared for the possible questions that might be asked.

Here are some steps you can take to prepare for the interview.

1. Prepare documents: You need to prepare the required documents needed for your interview, including your passport, Form I-130 approval notice, National Visa Center (NVC) appointment letter, medical examination results, and some civil documents such as birth and marriage certificates. You also need to bring financial documents from the petitioner as proof of their ability to support the beneficiary. In some cases, you might need to bring the application fee payment receipt with you.
2. Practical training for potential questions: You should prepare yourself for the possible questions that may be asked by the consular officer. Such as questions about your relationship with the petitioner, your plan in the U.S., and your education and employment background.

Though all this can be done alone, there will be some points where you might need an attorney’s help to process things with efficiency whilst avoiding making a mistake.

Working with an attorney can help you in various ways, including

What to Submit (Principal Applicant)

Form I-130 names a beneficiary as the principal applicant. If the applicant is already in the country and intends to apply for a family preference green card, the principal applicant must submit several documents and evidence, including some of the following:

• Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

• Form I-797, Approval or Receipt Notice, for the Form I-130 petition filed on your behalf, unless the Form I-485 is filed simultaneously with the Form I-130

• Two passport-sized photographs

• Copy of your government-issued identity document with photo

• Copy of your birth certificate

• Copy of your passport page with a nonimmigrant visa, if applicable

• A copy of your passport page with an immigration officer’s admission or parole stamp, where applicable

• A copy of Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, or copy of an immigration officer’s admission or parole stamp on the passport or travel document, if applicable

• Continuous proof of lawful status since arriving in the United States

• Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA or Form I-864EZ, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act

• Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, which requires a medical examination

• Police and court records containing criminal allegations, arrests, or convictions, if any

Depending on your circumstances, additional documents and forms may be required to provide proof of compliance. So, it is a good idea to first go through your submission with a qualified and experienced immigration law firm to prevent unnecessary delays and, worse still, possible rejection of your application.

How Can an Attorney Help?

As you may know, immigration law is quite complex, confusing, and full of nuance. As a result, it is a problematic area when it comes to complying with the detailed requirements for submission. Our skilled attorneys at Manji Law, PC, deal with these issues every day. As a result, they have a deep understanding of the processes.

Our immigration services include filing applications for immediate relatives and other family members. When you consult with an experienced and qualified attorney, you’ll be relieved of the stress of submission. Also, we can assist with i-765 applications for authorization to work in the U.S.

During your initial consultation, our empathic Atlanta family immigration lawyer will assess your situation, determine whether your family members qualify for family-based visas, and advise you on your options.

Get in touch with MAnji Law, PC, today for help filing your immigrant visa petition and resolving your immigration problems. Get a free consultation with an EB-5 immigration attorney today!