Family Preference Categories

F3: Married Children of U.S. Citizens

F3 Visa (Family Third Preference) – Green Card for Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

The F3 visa category is a family-based immigration route for married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens. It provides a way for these adult children to obtain a green card through a U.S. citizen parent’s petition. Unlike immediate relatives (such as minor children or spouses of U.S. citizens), married sons and daughters are in a preference category, which means they are subject to an annual visa limit and a waiting list. With an approved F3 petition, the beneficiary’s spouse and minor children can also immigrate as derivative beneficiaries once a visa becomes available.

Who Qualifies for the F3 Visa?

U.S. Citizen Petitioner

Only U.S. citizens can petition under the F3 category for their married sons and daughters. (lawful permanent residents cannot sponsor a married child). The petitioner must be the parent of the beneficiary. The U.S. citizen will need to prove the parent-child relationship to the married son or daughter when filing the petition.

Derivative Family Members

One advantage of the F3 category is that it allows “derivative” immigration for the beneficiary’s immediate family. This means that the spouse and unmarried children under 21 of the married son or daughter can be included on the same petition and receive green cards when the principal beneficiary immigrates. If a child of the beneficiary approaches age 21 during the wait, the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) may help keep them eligible by subtracting the I-130 processing time from their age at visa availability.

Filing a Petition for a Married Son or Daughter (Form I-130)

The F3 process starts when a U.S. citizen parent files Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, for their married son or daughter. This petition proves the family relationship qualifies. The petitioner must provide proof of U.S. citizenship and evidence of the parent-child link, such as the child’s birth certificate showing the parent’s name. Essentially, submitting the I-130 is a way to petition for your married child’s immigration to the United States. After submitting the I-130 to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), it will be reviewed. If approved, the petition is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) to await an available visa number if the beneficiary is applying abroad through consular processing. If the beneficiary is adjusting status inside the U.S., USCIS will hold the approved petition until a visa becomes available.

Priority Date: Each I-130 petition receives a priority date when USCIS processes it. This date essentially secures the beneficiary’s position in line for an immigrant visa. The priority date is especially important in the F3 category because of the limited number of visas available each year. Approval of the I-130 does not grant an immediate green card; it simply indicates the beneficiary is in the queue for a visa. After the petition is approved, the beneficiary usually must wait until their priority date becomes current—that is, until their place in line matches the visa availability and a visa can be issued. The following sections explain how to track this.

Understanding Priority Dates and the Visa Bulletin

The F3 visa category is subject to annual caps – specifically 23,400 visas per year worldwide (plus any unused visas from first and second preferences). Because demand often exceeds this supply, a backlog develops and applicants face a waiting period. Here’s how the system works:

  • Visa Bulletin: The U.S. Department of State releases a Visa Bulletin each month that displays the “cut-off” priority dates currently being processed for each family preference category and country. By reviewing the Visa Bulletin’s section for “F3 – Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens,” you can identify the priority date being processed for your category. If your priority date is earlier than the date listed for your country, your date is considered current, and a visa is available for you. If your date is later than the cut-off, you will need to wait until the bulletin date advances to your priority date.
  • Tracking Your Place in Line: It’s important to regularly check the Visa Bulletin. The priority date (the date your I-130 was filed) determines your position in the queue. When reviewing the bulletin:
  • Ensure you review the correct category (F3) and the applicable country of chargeability. (Some countries with high demand, like Mexico, India, China, and the Philippines, have their own separate cut-off dates in the bulletin.) When the bulletin shows a date that is later than or equal to your priority date, that means your F3 priority date is current and you can move forward with the next steps in the immigration process. If the date shown is still earlier than your filing date, you must continue to wait.
  • Waiting Times: Be prepared for a lengthy wait in the F3 category. Due to limited visa numbers and high demand, it is common for F3 applicants to wait several years, often over a decade, before their priority date becomes current. Movement in this category tends to be slow, and applicants from countries with large backlogs, such as Mexico or the Philippines, may wait over 20 years for a visa. Patience is essential – during this time, stay informed and keep your petition details current to avoid missing important notices when your turn comes.

When Your Priority Date Becomes Current: Next Steps

Finally, the big moment arrives – your priority date becomes current on the Visa Bulletin. This means an immigrant visa is available for your petition. At this stage, the beneficiary can proceed with applying for the green card. There are two main pathways to complete the process, depending on where the beneficiary is and their circumstances:

  1. Consular Processing – Completing the immigration process at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. This is the typical path if the beneficiary is outside the United States when the visa becomes available (or is ineligible to adjust status in the U.S.).

  2. Adjustment of Status – Applying for a green card from within the United States by filing Form I-485 with USCIS. This can be used if the beneficiary is in the U.S. and eligible to adjust status (meeting certain requirements).

Both paths ultimately lead to the same result: the beneficiary (and any derivative spouse/children) becomes a U.S. permanent resident. Below is an overview of each route with key requirements and steps.

Consular Processing (Immigrant Visa Interview Abroad)

Consular processing is the default method for beneficiaries who will obtain their immigrant visa outside the U.S. It involves going through the National Visa Center and then attending an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in the beneficiary’s home country.

  • National Visa Center (NVC) Phase: After the priority date becomes current, the NVC will contact the petitioner and beneficiary to begin the visa process. The NVC will request payment of immigrant visa fees and ask for additional documents to prepare for the consular interview. The beneficiary must submit an online Immigrant Visa Application (Form DS-260) and provide supporting civil documents. The U.S. citizen petitioner must also submit the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) along with required financial evidence such as tax returns and proof of employment to demonstrate they can support the beneficiary financially. Derivative family members (spouse and children) will also be included in this process, providing their documents and forms. The NVC acts as an intermediary to ensure all paperwork is complete before scheduling the interview.

  • Medical Examination: Before the interview, each intending immigrant must have a medical examination by a doctor authorized by the U.S. embassy or consulate. The exam will check for health issues and verify that required vaccinations are completed. Afterward, the doctor provides a sealed medical report to be brought to the interview or sent directly to the consulate. It is important to schedule this exam well in advance of the interview date.

  • Consular Interview: The final step in consular processing is the immigrant visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate. The beneficiary (and any derivative spouse or children who are immigrating) will attend an interview with a consular officer. The officer will review the case file, original documents, and ask the beneficiary questions about the application—such as confirming family relationships and background information. The beneficiary must bring all original documents to the interview, including birth and marriage certificates, police certificates, the medical exam results, passport, and the interview appointment letter. The U.S. citizen petitioner is not required to attend this interview. After the interview, the officer will usually inform the applicant whether the visa is approved or if additional information is needed.

  • Visa Issuance and Entry to the U.S.: If the interview is successful, the consular officer will approve the immigrant visa. The beneficiary’s passport will be returned with an immigrant visa stamp valid for entry to the United States (usually valid for up to 6 months, tied to the medical exam date). The beneficiary will also receive a sealed packet of documents to give to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the port of entry. Upon entering the United States on an immigrant visa, the individual is admitted as a lawful permanent resident of the United States. A physical green card will be mailed to their U.S. address within a few weeks of arrival. At this point, the U.S. citizen’s married son or daughter (and their accompanying family members) are officially green card holders. (Note: After visa issuance, there is an immigrant fee that must be paid to USCIS to produce the green card. It’s best to pay this online before or shortly after traveling to the U.S. so that the green card is not delayed.)

Adjustment of Status (for F3 Category Beneficiaries in the U.S.)

Adjustment of status (AOS) is an alternative path available if the beneficiary of the F3 petition is physically present in the United States when the priority date becomes current and is eligible to adjust their status. Instead of going to a consular interview abroad, the beneficiary applies for a green card through USCIS and, if approved, obtains permanent residence without leaving the U.S.

Eligibility for AOS in F3: Not every F3 beneficiary in the U.S. can use adjustment of status – there are strict requirements. The beneficiary must have been lawfully inspected and admitted or paroled into the U.S. (for example, entered with a valid visa). They must also have an immigrant visa immediately available (i.e. the priority date is current) at the time of filing the AOS application. The family relationship that is the basis of the petition must still exist (the petitioner is still a U.S. citizen parent, and the beneficiary remains a married son/daughter). Additionally, the beneficiary cannot be subject to certain bars to adjustment – for instance, individuals who have violated status or worked without authorization are generally barred from adjusting in family preference categories (unless they are grandfathered under INA 245(i) due to an old petition or qualify for another exception). Finally, the beneficiary must be admissible to the U.S. (issues like serious criminal history or prior immigration violations may require special waivers or could make someone inadmissible). In practical terms, F3 adjustment of status is typically only an option for those who have maintained a relatively clean immigration record in the U.S. up to the time their visa becomes available.

If the above criteria are met, the married son or daughter (beneficiary) can file Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status with USCIS once the priority date is current.

 The adjustment of status process involves several steps:

  • Applying for Adjustment: The beneficiary submits Form I-485 to USCIS, along with supporting documents and forms. These include the approved I-130 petition notice (or Receipt Notice if filed concurrently), a sealed medical exam report (Form I-693) from a civil surgeon, the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) from the petitioner, and other records to establish eligibility. Supporting evidence typically includes the beneficiary’s birth certificate, marriage certificate, passport, and I-94 (to verify lawful entry), proof of any status maintenance (such as copies of visas or extension approval notices), and more. The applicant will also submit filing fees and may optionally apply for a work permit (EAD) and an advance parole travel document at the same time (Forms I-765 and I-131), enabling them to work and re-enter the U.S. while the I-485 is pending. Once USCIS accepts the adjustment application, the beneficiary will receive a receipt notice and later a biometrics appointment notice.

  • Biometrics Appointment: USCIS will schedule the applicant for a biometrics appointment at a local Application Support Center a few weeks after filing. At this appointment, the beneficiary (and any derivative adjusting family members) will have their fingerprints, photograph, and signature taken for background checks. This is a routine part of the process for all applicants.

  • USCIS Interview: After biometrics, the I-485 will be processed at a USCIS field office. In many cases, especially for parent–child petitions, USCIS may schedule an in-person interview with the beneficiary (and their derivative family) to review the application. The interview will assess the validity of the parent-child relationship (usually straightforward if the documents are in order) and verify the beneficiary’s background (checking information on the forms, confirming no inadmissibility issues, etc.). Sometimes USCIS waives the interview for family cases with clear documentation, but you should be prepared to attend one. If an interview is scheduled, the beneficiary will need to bring original documents and any updated evidence appointment.

  • Approval and Green Card Issuance: If USCIS determines that all requirements are met, they will approve the I-485 application. No separate visa is issued; the status is granted within the U.S. Once approved, the beneficiary becomes an official lawful permanent resident (green card holder). A green card is created and mailed to the address on file, usually arriving within a few weeks. The approval date on the I-485 marks the start of the permanent residence (the green card’s “Resident Since” date). The beneficiary (now a permanent resident) does not need to leave the U.S.—their status automatically changes from any temporary status to permanent resident at the moment of approval.

Adjustment of status can be very convenient because it avoids the need to travel abroad and go through consular processing. It also allows the applicant to obtain work and travel permits while waiting for a decision. However, not everyone qualifies for adjustment of status due to strict eligibility requirements. Many F3 beneficiaries spend years outside the U.S. and then go through consular processing. If a beneficiary is in the U.S. but is ineligible for AOS (for example, entered without inspection or has a long period of unlawful presence without 245(i) protection), they will need to leave and complete the consular process. In such cases, it’s important to consult an attorney because leaving the U.S. after unlawful presence can trigger re-entry bars (3 or 10-year bans), and the individual might need a waiver to return. Each situation is different, so professional guidance is recommended to choose the best path.

Conclusion

The F3 visa category offers a pathway for U.S. citizens to reunite with their married sons, daughters, and grandchildren in the United States, but it requires patience and careful planning. Both the petitioner and the beneficiary have specific eligibility requirements to meet. After filing the initial petition, the priority date system means there will likely be a long wait before a visa becomes available. During that time, it’s important to stay informed by tracking the Visa Bulletin, stay prepared by keeping documents ready, and maintain eligibility. Once the F3 priority date is current, the beneficiary can proceed with either consular processing or adjustment of status to get the green card. By understanding the process and planning ahead, families can successfully navigate the F3 visa process and ultimately achieve the goal of permanent residence in the U.S. for the married son or daughter of a U.S. citizen.