F1 is the first preference category for family-based immigration, for unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age or older) of U.S. citizens. Approximately 23,400 visas are available annually.
Current Priority Dates
Current bulletin dates
(F1)Historical Trends
Visa Bulletin trends
Eligibility Requirements
Sponsor Requirements
- Must be a U.S. citizen (green card holders cannot sponsor F1 category)
- Must prove citizenship (birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or passport)
- Must be at least 21 years old
Beneficiary Requirements
- Must be the sponsor's biological child, stepchild, or adopted child
- Must be at least 21 years old
- Must be unmarried
Unmarried Status Explained
- Never married
- Divorced (must provide divorce decree)
- Widowed (must provide death certificate)
Important: If you marry while waiting, you will lose F1 eligibility.
Application Process
Phase 1: I-130 Petition
-
Prepare Documents
- Sponsor's proof of citizenship
- Proof of relationship (birth certificate)
- Beneficiary's identity documents
-
File I-130
- Submit online or by mail
- Pay filing fee
- Receive receipt notice
-
Await Approval
- Processing time approximately 6-12 months
- May receive Request for Evidence (RFE)
Phase 2: Wait for Priority Date
- After I-130 approval, case transfers to NVC
- Priority date is the I-130 receipt date
- Monitor monthly visa bulletin
- F1 category typically has long wait times
Phase 3: Immigrant Visa/Adjustment of Status
Consular Processing (Outside U.S.):
- NVC sends fee payment notice after receiving case
- Pay visa fee and affidavit of support fee
- Submit DS-260 and supporting documents
- Schedule interview and complete medical exam
- Receive immigrant visa after interview approval
Adjustment of Status (Inside U.S.):
- File I-485 when priority date is current
- Complete biometrics appointment
- May be scheduled for interview
- Receive green card after approval
Child Status Protection Act (CSPA)
Age Protection
If a child is about to turn 21 during the waiting period:
Calculation Formula: CSPA Age = Actual Age - I-130 Processing Time
Protection Conditions:
- CSPA age under 21 maintains IR-2 (immediate relative) eligibility
- Over 21 converts to F1 category
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I get married?
After marriage, you will lose F1 eligibility and need to convert to F3 category (married adult children of citizens), which has longer wait times.
Can the process be expedited?
I-130 cannot be expedited. Priority date wait times cannot be accelerated.
Can I have multiple petitions?
Yes. If you qualify for other immigration categories, you can apply to multiple categories.