F4 visa child over 21. For a child to qualify under the F4 visa category, they must be unmarried and under the age of 21 at the time a visa becomes available. Nov 14, 2024 · Due to long wait and back logs, children are out from petition as have reached age of 21 (counting CSPA calculation). Aug 15, 2025 · If an alien applies for lawful permanent resident (LPR) status as a child but turns 21 before being approved for LPR status (also known as getting a Green Card), that alien can no longer be considered a child for immigration purposes. citizens, but only when the citizen is at least 21 years old. The brother has a child who is under 21 at the time the immigrant petition is filed with the USCIS. F2A: Spouses and unmarried children under 21. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. citizens who wish to immigrate to the U. Fourth Preference F4: Siblings of U. But the statute has proved difficult to interpret and implement in a consistent manner. Prior to its 2002 passage, many children with pending family-based immigrant petitions "aged out" (that is, lost their eligibility or had to switch to a slower, less beneficial visa category) if a visa did not become available before their 21 st birthday. " Feb 3, 2024 · Your actual age less this protection on the date your petition became current is your ”cspa age”, and this calculated age has to be under 21 for you to qualify. You can file your green card application immediately. That priority date - assuming you are not from india or Philippines - for F4 was only current in January 2024. citizen (spouse, unmarried child under 21, or parent of a U. citizens cannot bring their own younger children into the United States on the same I-130 visa petition that their U. citizen. In this case, you may simply notify a U. However, they are not as intimate as they are for a marriage-based green card. This guide explains how legal status and family details create different, often lengthy, timelines. It involves filing Form I-130, waiting potentially 10 to 20+ years for visa availability due to high demand, and completing consular interviews before permanent residency is granted. citizen child over the age of 21 filed. At the time when the visa becomes available, the child is over 21 years of age. citizens to sponsor their siblings for permanent residency in the United States. for a long-term stay. consulate that you are a permanent resident so that your spouse and/or children can apply for an immigrant visa. Jul 3, 2025 · Learn about the multi-stage immigration process for children over 21. Sep 19, 2025 · The Child Status Protection Act is a right for individuals who have aged out (turned 21) prior to their visa being issued due to processing delays. However, depending on the country of origin of the child, the waiting time can vary between 9 and more than 20 years. citizens' brothers and sisters. . Citizens: If you’re an immediate relative of a U. Oct 21, 2024 · Other relatives of a U. F2B: Unmarried adult children (21 or older). The U. F2 Visa – The F2 visa is for dependents (spouse and children) of the F1 visa holder. citizen over 21), you are exempt from the Visa Bulletin wait. This visa category is considered the fourth preference and includes spouses and minor children of the U. Aug 8, 2025 · A. Unlike minor children, children over 21 years of age must wait until their Apr 1, 2011 · In addition, your spouse and/or children will not have to wait any extra time for a visa number to become available. [2] Section Sep 10, 2025 · The F4 Visa is a family preference immigrant visa that allows U. Jun 9, 2014 · For example: A U. if your aunt filed for your father then this is an F4 sibling petition. Jan 23, 2016 · As per CSPA age calculator, son is eligible to immigrate with my brother as he is unmarried. This article is an attempt to summarize the current state of the law regarding the CSPA and provide a step-by-step approach to performing age The F-4 fourth preference family-based green card is for foreign persons who are brothers or sisters of a U. citizen must be at least 21 years old to sponsor their biological siblings, paternal half-siblings (same biological father but different mother), step-siblings, or adopted siblings. When I go to CEAC to pay immigrant visa fees, I see invoice for my brother and sister-in-law (only 2 people) but not kids (nephew / nieces). S. F3 Visa – The F3 visa is for foreign nationals coming to the United States to receive vocational training. Aug 11, 2025 · Turning 21 was a big problem for would-be immigrant children before the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA). A: Yes, you can bring your dependents (spouse and children under 21) with you to the United States on an F-4 visa. citizen files a F4 preference (brothers and sisters of U. citizens (petitioner must be 21 or older). Feb 7, 2025 · Learn how long it takes for an unmarried child over 21 to get a green card, including processing times, priority dates, and expert tips. • USCIS has revised its Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) policy so that fewer child adjustment of status applicants risk “aging out” of the ability to obtain a green card due to reaching age 21 and no longer qualifying as a “child” under relevant law. This guide explains the eligibility 1. • Under the new policy, USCIS will use the State Department Visa Bulletin “Dates for Filing” chart – instead of the less Aug 20, 2024 · Also, the immigrating parents of U. As part of the Family Fourth Preference (F4) category, this visa is designed for the siblings, along with their spouses and minor children, of U. Who is eligible for an F4 Immigrant Visa? The following Jul 11, 2025 · The F4 visa category is for brothers and sisters of U. citizens. 2. citizens, their spouses, and unmarried children under the age of 21. This guide explains the eligibility We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. The spouse and dependent children (unmarried and under 21 years old) of the U. Everyone else in the family- and employment-based visa system (everyone who's not an "immediate relative") is in what's called a "preference category. S Sep 13, 2023 · The F4 visa is a fourth category Preference Relative visa designed for the siblings of U. It’s been 17 year and case or priority date still not active. Third Preference F3: Married children of U. Long waits for available visas Jul 28, 2023 · The Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) was intended to apply a uniform way to calculate a child’s age and protect against age-out due to USCIS processing delays. A visa bulletin current date means an immigrant visa number is available and scheduled for interview (Note: Visa officer will calculate your CSPA on the interview date) Apr 1, 2025 · Important Exceptions: Immediate Relatives of U. It allows these family members to immigrate to the United States as permanent residents and eventually become eligible for citizenship. Your spouse and/or children may be eligible for following-to-join Family Green Card Interview Questions for Other Applicants For other family relationships, such as siblings, parents, married children, and unmarried children (over 21 years of age), the questions are also based on the family relationship between you and your sponsor. Documents Required for a Family Visa Jul 12, 2025 · The sibling visa process allows U. Dec 23, 2024 · Second Preference F2: Spouses and unmarried children of permanent residents. What is the purpose of the F4 Immigrant Visa? The purpose of the F4 Immigrant Visa is to reunite US citizens or legal permanent residents with their siblings and children who are over the age of 21. They will need to apply for an F-4 dependent visa. In other words, there is no option to pay fees for my nephew. citizen, such as eligible children or siblings. citizens) petition for her alien brother and his derivatives (wife and child). These include: F1 visas for unmarried children who are 21 years of age or olderF3 visas for married childrenF4 visas for siblings F1 visas for unmarried children who are 21 years of age or older F3 visas for married children F4 visas for siblings The spouse and unmarried children of legal permanent residents (Green Card Aug 25, 2024 · How long does a petition from a citizen parent to sponsor a child over 21 last? The duration of a petition by a citizen parent to bring an adult child depends on the priority date on the visa bulletin. However, because F4 cases often take many years to process—sometimes 15–20 years—many children age out before the case is completed. citizens over 21 to sponsor brothers or sisters for green cards under the F4 category. Purpose of the Child Status Protection Act The core purpose of the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) [1] was to address the hardships faced by certain aliens who were previously classified as children for immigrant visa purposes, but who, due to the time required to adjudicate petitions, had turned 21 years old and consequently became ineligible to receive such immigrant visas. jl2n1 lkftmx pf e0i fqe 1jaep 7vu r5tlhc ht94om mof