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F3 Visa (Family Third Preference – Married Children of U.S. Citizens)
The F3 Visa is a family-based immigrant visa that allows married sons and daughters (21 years or older) of U.S. citizens to immigrate to the United States along with their spouse and minor children. It belongs to the Family Third Preference (F3) category and grants permanent residency (Green Card) to eligible applicants.
What is an F3 Visa?
The F3 Visa was created to help U.S. citizens reunite with their married adult children and their immediate family members. Unlike the F2A and F2B categories (for permanent residents’ relatives), the F3 Visa is reserved for U.S. citizens petitioning for their married children and grandchildren (under 21).
Beneficiaries of the F3 Visa receive lawful permanent resident status upon entry, with the right to live, work, and study in the United States.
Why Choose an F3 Visa?
Keeps extended families together in the U.S.
Provides permanent residency to married adult children, their spouse, and their minor children.
Beneficiaries can work, study, and live freely in the U.S.
Pathway to U.S. citizenship after fulfilling eligibility.
Stability and opportunity for the whole family unit.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for an F3 Visa:
The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen (aged 21 or older).
The beneficiary must be a married son or daughter (21 years or older) of the U.S. citizen.
The spouse and unmarried children (under 21) of the beneficiary can also apply as derivative beneficiaries.
Proof of relationship must be provided through legal documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.).
The U.S. citizen petitioner must meet the financial sponsorship requirements.
F3 Visa Process
Petition Filing (Form I-130): The U.S. citizen files the petition for their married son or daughter.
USCIS Approval: After review and approval, the petition is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC).
Visa Availability (Priority Dates): F3 visas are limited each year, so applicants must wait for their priority date to become current as per the Visa Bulletin.
NVC Processing: Submit civil documents, affidavit of support (Form I-864), and required fees.
Consular Interview: The married child (and their spouse/children) attend an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate.
Visa Issuance & Entry: Upon approval, they enter the U.S. as lawful permanent residents and receive Green Cards.
Documents Required
Birth certificate of the applicant (to prove relationship to U.S. citizen).
Marriage certificate (for the married son/daughter).
Passports and ID documents of all applicants.
Proof of U.S. citizenship (naturalization certificate, passport, or birth certificate).
Affidavit of Support (Form I-864).
Financial documents (tax returns, income statements, etc.).
Medical examination results.
Other supporting documents as requested by USCIS/NVC.
How We Help
We provide end-to-end guidance in the F3 Visa process, including:
Filing and tracking the I-130 petition.
Monitoring visa priority dates and Visa Bulletin updates.
Assistance with compiling financial and relationship evidence.
Managing NVC submissions and consular processing requirements.
Preparing beneficiaries for the visa interview.
Ongoing support until permanent residency is granted.
Timeline & Processing Time
USCIS Petition Processing: 12–18 months (approx.)
NVC Processing: 3–6 months
Wait for Visa Availability: Often several years (due to strict annual visa limits and backlogs).
Consular Interview & Green Card Issuance: 1–2 months
(The F3 Visa has one of the longest waiting times among family preference visas.)
F3 vs. Other Family-Based Visas
F2A Visa: For spouses and unmarried children under 21 of Green Card holders.
F2B Visa: For unmarried adult children (21+) of Green Card holders.
F3 Visa: For married adult children (21+) of U.S. citizens, plus their spouse and minor children.
F4 Visa: For brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens.
Why Choose Us for F3 Visa Assistance?
Proven expertise in family-based immigration.
Accurate petition preparation to avoid delays.
Ongoing monitoring of visa priority dates.
Transparent guidance for both petitioners and beneficiaries.
Dedicated support to keep families united in the U.S.