Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: F-3 Visa Application Process

F3 Visa Application Process

The visa application process is long and complex. The key steps of the application process include:

1. File an I-130 petition. The U.S. citizen parent must file a petition for their married child and family to become permanent residents.
2. Receive USCIS approval. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will review the petition. If accepted, the documents will be endorsed to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC will then provide the applicant and their family with instructions and documents containing information on the next steps of the process.
3. Wait for a visa to become available. Applicants will need to wait for their priority date to come current to proceed with obtaining their F3 visa. The documents from the NVC will include the priority date.
4. Claim your F3 visa. Once the priority date is current, applicants must complete Form DS-260 for each member of their family.
5. Complete and obtain necessary documentation. Applicants will need to undergo medical examination and take mandatory vaccinations. They should also collect any other documentation needed to complete the visa application process and for the consular interview.
6. Adjust your status or attend a consular interview. Once the visa is released, the applicant can easily modify their residency status if they are already legally residing in the country. On the other hand, applicants residing outside of the U.S. will receive final approval for their visas upon completion of the consular interview.

Claiming Your F3 Visa and Entering the US

After your priority date comes current, you can apply for your F3 visa. You should prepare all necessary documentation and submit your application to the NVC. Your documents will be reviewed, and if everything looks satisfactory, you will be interviewed at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

The interview at the embassy or consulate is the final, and critical, step of applying for an F3 visa. The interviewer is responsible for deciding if your visa application will be denied or approved. A thoughtful consular interview preparation can help you succeed.

If you are approved, your passport will be stamped with an F3 visa. The NVC will also provide you with a sealed package that must be provided to a U.S. immigration official upon your arrival. Only a U.S. immigration official is allowed to open this package and they use the information contained in the package to determine if you are qualified to enter the U.S.

What Documents Are Required for an F3 Visa Application?

The typical documents needed for an F3 visa application are the same as other family preference visas.

• Passports. Valid passports of the applicant, spouse and minor children. These should have more than six months of validity after the projected entry date to the U.S.

• Photos. Two U.S. visa photos for each person applying for a visa.

• Medical Records. Any requested medical and vaccination documents.

• Form DS-260. A copy of the Form DS-260 confirmation pages for each family member. These documents contain detailed information about the applicant’s background and reasons why they want to immigrate to the U.S.

• Form I-864. A copy of the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) from the U.S. sponsor.

• Marriage Certificate. Valid marriage certificate or, if previously married, a death certificate or divorce certificate to prove termination of the marriage.

• Legal Records. Any required court or criminal records, or documentation of police clearance.

• Birth Certificate or Adoption Decrees. Adoption documents or birth records of any minor children.

• Military Records. Military records if the applicant previously served in the military.

Any documents that are not in the English language should be translated by an accredited translator.