F2A Visa for Nigerians

Want to Join Your Spouse in the United States?

Applying for a U.S. Visa can be a long and complicated process. However, we offer professional immigration advice, which has helped many Nigerian nationals obtain their U.S. immigrant visa, hassle-free. Let us handle all the complexities and make your travel plans as stress-free as possible.

Nigerian Emigration

For Nigerian emigration matters, please call +44 (0) 3316300929 or +2342013306361

Other Immigration and Emigration Matters

For immigration/emigration to/from other countries, please call:

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UK –  (+44) 333 4149244

What is the F2A Visa in the U.S.?

The Family Immigration category in the U.S. splits between the Immediate Relative and Family Preference. The F2A Visa is one of two U.S. visas in the Second Family Preference category (also referred to as the Preference Relative Green Card category). This visa is specifically for spouses and minor children of Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), also known as Green Card holders. LPRs are non-citizens who hold legal authorisation to live in the U.S. permanently.

With the F2A Visa, Green Card holders can bring their immediate relatives to the United States if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Benefits of the F2A Visa

The F2A Visa allows successful applicants to become permanent resident status holders. With this, you can legally work and study in the U.S., access healthcare and other public services.

Green Card holders can apply for U.S. citizenship 5 years after obtaining their Green Cards, as long as they have continuously lived in the U.S. during that time.

Restrictions of F2A Visa

Obtaining the F2A Visa is a long process, which prevents many immigrants from joining their family in the U.S. Additionally, this visa is only for eligible spouses and minor children of the LPR, meaning that children over the age of 21 must apply for a different visa.

Who Can Obtain the F2A Visa?

Overview

The F2A Visa can be obtained by the eligible spouse or minor child of the U.S. Green Card holder. To prove eligibility, applicants must ensure that they can provide the required supporting documents. This is essential to demonstrate the qualifying relationship between the F2A applicants and the LPR sponsor.

The key eligibility requirements for an F2A Visa focus on the applicants’ age and marital status; however, there are other criteria that applicants have to meet to be considered for this visa.

Eligibility Criteria for F2A Visa

In order to be eligible for the F2A Visa, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be the spouse of an LPR who can sponsor you to come to the U.S
• Children of the LPR must be under the age of 21 and unmarried
• Able to prove a relationship with the U.S. sponsor by providing adequate supporting documentation
• The U.S. sponsor must financially support the F2A applicants.

Requirements for the Lawful Permanent Residents Sponsoring the F2A Family Members

The LPR who will sponsor the F2A Visa applicants must be:

• Over the age of 18
• Living in the U.S. and having a registered address within the United States

Not meeting the required eligibility criteria is a common reason for F2A Visa denial. To qualify for any U.S. visa, applicants must ensure they have essential documents to prove their eligibility.

If you are interested in applying for the F2A Visa in the U.S. and are still unsure whether or not you are eligible, contact us today to determine if you qualify to be considered. IAS is a team of professional immigration lawyers who have helped many Nigerian nationals obtain visas in the U.S. by helping them with their application process and ensuring that they provide adequate documentation to support their visa application.

Talk to one of our immigration advisers to discuss your case and find out how we can help you. Call +2342013306361 in Nigeria or +44 (0) 3316300929, or contact IAS online.

How to Apply for the F2A Visa?

Overview

The application process for the F2A Visa is long and involves different stages that must be completed before submitting the visa application. Before you can apply to apply for the F2A Visa, the LPR, who will be your sponsor, must file a Petition for Alien Relatives to initiate the F2A Visa application process for their spouse and children. The F2A Visa application can only begin once the petition is submitted and approved.

The applicants must then wait for the “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications” to be notified to assemble and submit the required documentation.

Filing the Petition for the F2A Visa

To initiate the F2A Visa application process, the U.S. LPR must first file form I-130, called the Petition for Alien Relatives. The U.S. sponsor must file the petition to the Department of Homeland Security as part of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The USCIS will process the petition and make a decision. They will inform the petitioner of any reasons as to why their petition has been denied. The petitioner can correct any issues requested and file again. If the petition is approved, the National Visa Center (NVC) will progress it further and send detailed instructions to the petitioner and any F2A applicants to inform them of further steps.

Required Documents for F2A Visa

If your “Date for Filing Applications” is current, the NVC will notify you and send you instructions on how to start your visa application process. The F2A applicants must apply through a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country. In Nigeria, the U.S. Embassy is in Abuja, and the U.S. Consulate is in Victoria Island, Lagos. You should choose whichever is nearest to you.

Filing the Form DS-260

The DS-260 Immigrant Visa Electronic Application is commonly known as the form DS-260. Each F2A Visa applicant must complete the form and submit it to be considered for the F2A Visa.

The application is completed online and will ask questions about your details, background information, and reasons for your immigration to the U.S. After completing the required sections, you should submit the application and ensure you have received a confirmation number page. You must then submit the confirmation number page as part of your visa application documents.

Medical Examination and Vaccination Requirements

As part of your visa application process, you must complete medical check-ups and have adequate vaccination before travelling to the U.S.

You will be informed of which medical tests and vaccinations you must complete. You must ensure that you are able to prove that you meet this requirement when you submit your supporting documents.

The NVC will accept a document signed by a licensed doctor as evidence of you fulfilling these criteria. The document must state that you have completed the necessary vaccinations and the medical check-ups.

Documents Required for the F2A Visa Application

To show that you are eligible for the F2A Visa, you must submit the following documents:

• Valid passport for each applicant
• Two U.S. visa photographs for each applicant (note that the photographs must meet the U.S. Visa Photo Requirements)
• A signed Form I-864 (free of charge) from the U.S. sponsor
• Form DS-260 confirmation number page
• Documents demonstrating that you have completed the necessary medical examination and have the required vaccination
• Marriage certificate if you’re applying as a spouse of the U.S. sponsor
• Divorce certificate or certificate of death if you have been previously married
• Birth certificate or adoption certificate if you’re applying as a child of the U.S. sponsor
• Criminal records and court records (if applicable)
• Military records (if applicable)

Visa Interview

As part of your visa application, you will be required to attend a visa interview. After your visa application is processed, you will be required to schedule the interview at the U.S. Embassy near you. Due to extensive waiting times, you must ensure that you schedule the interview as soon as possible.

Visa Interview Process

The purpose of a visa interview is for the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to finalise the decision on your visa application. The interviewer will ask you about your background, relationship with the LPR, and intentions after moving to the U.S.

They will ensure that your answers correspond with all your submitted information and then determine whether to approve or reject your visa application.

A decision might be made immediately after the interview or later. Once your visa is approved, you will receive the NVC packet, and you can then travel to the U.S. Please note that you cannot open the sealed packet. It will contain documents that you should handle to the immigration official when you travel to the U.S.

How Much Does the F2A Visa Cost?

The F2A Visa cost is based on the following fees:

• Form I-130 – $535
• Form DS-260 – $325
• USCIS Immigration Fee – $220
• Medical examination and vaccines fee depends on your circumstances.

Processing Times for the F2A Visa

The processing time for the F2A Visa can vary. However, it is important to note that the Family Preference visas are in high demand and there is a limitation on the number of applications processed every year.

Due to the limited number of visas processed each year, you can expect waiting times to be long. To check information on your priority date, you should access the Visa Bulletin, published by the U.S. Department of State.

How Can IAS Help?

Visa applications require candidates to provide adequate evidence to show their eligibility and be considered for approval. Many applicants find the visa application process complicated and discouraging, preventing them from joining their families in the U.S.

IAS offers professional support and guidance throughout the application process to ensure the highest chances of visa approval. Our immigration advisers can help you file the petition and complete the required forms for your F2A Visa.

To learn more about how we can help your case, call +2342013306361 in Nigeria or +44 (0) 3316300929. Alternatively, use our chat to talk with one of the advisers online.