Difference Between F21 and F2a Visa

The complex landscape of U.S. immigration encompasses a multitude of visa classifications, each designed to deal with particular situations and connections. Family-sponsored visa categories seek to unite families by providing U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) to sponsor their relatives to apply for immigration.

Two visa categories within family-sponsored visas, frequently misinterpreted due to their name, are those of the F21 and the F2A visas. Both fall within the Family Second Preference category but have different people.

Knowing the differences between the two visas is essential not just for those considering applying but also for those wishing to maneuver through the U.S. immigration system more efficiently. This article aims to clarify these distinctions and offer the information needed to understand who benefits from each visa type and the procedures involved.

Definitions

This is the main difference between visas.

F21 Visa

• Defined: The F21 visa falls within one of the U.S. Visa categories for family members. It’s designed for sons and daughters of permanent lawful citizens (LPRs) and Green card holders. However, there’s a crucial restriction on age: the beneficiaries of this Visa must be 21 years old or older.
• The basis: This Visa falls under the Family Second Preference (F2) category. In this category, it is specifically targeted at adult, non-married children of LPRs, which differentiates them from younger ones.

F2A Visa

• The Definition: The F2A visa can also be family-sponsored. However, it’s affixed to an entirely different set of people. The Visa is only available to spouses and children of unmarried parents from U.S. green card holders. The main difference for kids is that they need not be older than 21.
• Basis: Although it is in its Family Second Preference (F2) category with the F21 visa, the F2A subcategory stands out by its emphasis on immediate family members, including spouses and young youngsters, who are LPRs.

Critical Differences Between F21 and F2A Visas

Here are the most vital general distinctions

1. Beneficiary Relationship to the Sponsor:

• The F21 Visa is only for non-married daughters or sons of U.S. green card holders (lawful permanent residents).
• F2A Visa: The F2A visa is available to two groups: spouses and children not married from U.S. green card holders.

2. Age of the Beneficiary:

• F21 Visa: The applicant has to be at least 21 years old or old or older. This Visa is specially designed for the adult offspring of U.S. permanent residents.
• F2A Visa: This type of Visa addresses the needs of children in family members, particularly children younger than 21.

3. Waiting Periods and Visa Bulletin:

• F21 Visa: Due to the small number of visas available each year in each category, the beneficiaries could be faced with a longer waiting duration. The exact timeframe can differ depending on the country of the country of.
• F2A Visa: Historically, the wait time for F2A applicants has been smaller than for F21, particularly for spouses. However, the availability of visas and waiting time can change according to a myriad of factors, such as government policies and application volume.

4. Impact of Life Changes on Visa Category:

• F21 Visa: If a beneficiary is married, it may alter their eligibility, possibly moving them to a different category of Visa or making them unqualified to apply for the Second Preference Family altogether.
• F2A Visa: If the child beneficiary reaches 21 before receiving their Visa and isn’t covered by the law, such as the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA), the Visa may be changed from F2A to F21. F21 category.

5. Visa Availability:

• F21 Visa: The number of F21 visas issued annually is subject to limits each year, which could result in queues and longer waiting times in certain countries.
• F2A Visa: Visa offers for spouses who fall under this F2A category are usually better than other categories that family members sponsor. However, checking the latest Visa Bulletin for the most up-to-date details is essential.

Application Process for F21 and F2A Visas

Here’s the application procedure

1. Filing the Petition:

• First Steps: U.S. permanent residents (green card holders) start the process by submitting Form I-130, Application to Alien Relative in the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Scope: This document establishes the qualified relationship between the visa sponsor (permanent residence) and the applicant (person seeking a visa).

2. Receipt Notice:

• When the I-130 form has been completed, USCIS sends a receipt acknowledgment notice.
• The notice also includes a unique case number that can be used to monitor the progress of the request.

3. Approval or Denial:

• After USCIS has reviewed the petition, they’ll decide whether to approve or deny it.
• If accepted, the petition is forwarded by the National Visa Center (NVC). If rejected, the petitioner will be provided with the reason for denial and information about possible appeal procedures.

4. Priority Dates and the Visa Bulletin:

• Priority Date: The date that USCIS is given its I-130 form. It’s crucial since it determines when the beneficiary can begin his visa request.
• Visa Bulletin: Issued by the U.S. Department of State. The Visa Bulletin shows visa availability by priority dates. The recipient has to attend to their preferred date until it changes to “current” before proceeding.

5. National Visa Center (NVC) Processing:

• After you have received the I-130 approved by the NVC and sent to the NVC, the beneficiary will be required to pay the required fees.
• The applicant then submits an immigrant visa application by filling out Form DS-260. They also provide the required documents to support it.

6. Consular Processing:

• Interview: When your priority dates are in place, and the NVC has handled all documents, the beneficiary is scheduled to be interviewed at a U.S. consulate or their home country’s embassy.
• Medical Exam: Before the interview, the person being interviewed must undergo a medical exam with an approved panel doctor.
• Visa Issue: If the consular officer accepts the visa application within an interview with the applicant, the applicant will receive an immigrant Visa stamped on their passport.

7. Admission into the U.S. and Green Card Issue:

• With the help of an immigrant visa, the beneficiary can now go to the U.S.
• Upon arrival, they’ll be subject to an inspection by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). If accepted, they’ll be deemed to be a permanent lawful resident.
• The green card’s physical form is generally sent to the recipient’s U.S. address after arrival.

8. Potential Challenges:

• “Age Out: Beneficiaries, particularly those in the F2A category, must know about the possibility of being able to “age out” if they reach 21 years old before the Visa is issued and are not covered by CSPA. Child Status Protection Act (CSPA).
• Document delays: Check that all documents are up to date, translated if needed, and presented promptly to prevent delays.

Conclusion

Navigating through the maze of the U.S. immigration system requires an understanding of the different visa categories. For instance, the F21 and the F2A visas, which fall under the Family Second Preference umbrella, demonstrate the system’s precise categorization to accommodate different family relationships.

While they share the same overarching purpose of reuniting families, they each address specific individuals of the hierarchy of family members: adults, unmarried children, and spouses of younger children from U.S. permanent residents.

Knowing the differences between the different visa categories isn’t only a matter of semantics. It has practical implications for the application process, along with wait times and general expectations.

As families and applicants begin the process of immigration, being armed with this knowledge could make an enormous difference in smoothing the process of joining family members in America. United States.

In the constantly changing policy landscape for immigration, being up to date and seeking advice from an expert is vital.

Difference Between F21 and F2a Visa

The complex landscape of U.S. immigration encompasses a multitude of visa classifications, each designed to deal with particular situations and connections. Family-sponsored visa categories seek to unite families by providing U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) to sponsor their relatives to apply for immigration.

Two visa categories within family-sponsored visas, frequently misinterpreted due to their name, are those of the F21 and the F2A visas. Both fall within the Family Second Preference category but have different people.

Knowing the differences between the two visas is essential not just for those considering applying but also for those wishing to maneuver through the U.S. immigration system more efficiently. This article aims to clarify these distinctions and offer the information needed to understand who benefits from each visa type and the procedures involved.

Definitions

This is the main difference between visas.

F21 Visa

• Defined: The F21 visa falls within one of the U.S. Visa categories for family members. It’s designed for sons and daughters of permanent lawful citizens (LPRs) and Green card holders. However, there’s a crucial restriction on age: the beneficiaries of this Visa must be 21 years old or older.
• The basis: This Visa falls under the Family Second Preference (F2) category. In this category, it is specifically targeted at adult, non-married children of LPRs, which differentiates them from younger ones.

F2A Visa

• The Definition: The F2A visa can also be family-sponsored. However, it’s affixed to an entirely different set of people. The Visa is only available to spouses and children of unmarried parents from U.S. green card holders. The main difference for kids is that they need not be older than 21.
• Basis: Although it is in its Family Second Preference (F2) category with the F21 visa, the F2A subcategory stands out by its emphasis on immediate family members, including spouses and young youngsters, who are LPRs.

Critical Differences Between F21 and F2A Visas

Here are the most vital general distinctions

1. Beneficiary Relationship to the Sponsor:

• The F21 Visa is only for non-married daughters or sons of U.S. green card holders (lawful permanent residents).
• F2A Visa: The F2A visa is available to two groups: spouses and children not married from U.S. green card holders.

2. Age of the Beneficiary:

• F21 Visa: The applicant has to be at least 21 years old or old or older. This Visa is specially designed for the adult offspring of U.S. permanent residents.
• F2A Visa: This type of Visa addresses the needs of children in family members, particularly children younger than 21.

3. Waiting Periods and Visa Bulletin:

• F21 Visa: Due to the small number of visas available each year in each category, the beneficiaries could be faced with a longer waiting duration. The exact timeframe can differ depending on the country of the country of.
• F2A Visa: Historically, the wait time for F2A applicants has been smaller than for F21, particularly for spouses. However, the availability of visas and waiting time can change according to a myriad of factors, such as government policies and application volume.

4. Impact of Life Changes on Visa Category:

• F21 Visa: If a beneficiary is married, it may alter their eligibility, possibly moving them to a different category of Visa or making them unqualified to apply for the Second Preference Family altogether.
• F2A Visa: If the child beneficiary reaches 21 before receiving their Visa and isn’t covered by the law, such as the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA), the Visa may be changed from F2A to F21. F21 category.

5. Visa Availability:

• F21 Visa: The number of F21 visas issued annually is subject to limits each year, which could result in queues and longer waiting times in certain countries.
• F2A Visa: Visa offers for spouses who fall under this F2A category are usually better than other categories that family members sponsor. However, checking the latest Visa Bulletin for the most up-to-date details is essential.

Application Process for F21 and F2A Visas

Here’s the application procedure

1. Filing the Petition:

• First Steps: U.S. permanent residents (green card holders) start the process by submitting Form I-130, Application to Alien Relative in the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Scope: This document establishes the qualified relationship between the visa sponsor (permanent residence) and the applicant (person seeking a visa).

2. Receipt Notice:

• When the I-130 form has been completed, USCIS sends a receipt acknowledgment notice.
• The notice also includes a unique case number that can be used to monitor the progress of the request.

3. Approval or Denial:

• After USCIS has reviewed the petition, they’ll decide whether to approve or deny it.
• If accepted, the petition is forwarded by the National Visa Center (NVC). If rejected, the petitioner will be provided with the reason for denial and information about possible appeal procedures.

4. Priority Dates and the Visa Bulletin:

• Priority Date: The date that USCIS is given its I-130 form. It’s crucial since it determines when the beneficiary can begin his visa request.
• Visa Bulletin: Issued by the U.S. Department of State. The Visa Bulletin shows visa availability by priority dates. The recipient has to attend to their preferred date until it changes to “current” before proceeding.

5. National Visa Center (NVC) Processing:

• After you have received the I-130 approved by the NVC and sent to the NVC, the beneficiary will be required to pay the required fees.
• The applicant then submits an immigrant visa application by filling out Form DS-260. They also provide the required documents to support it.

6. Consular Processing:

• Interview: When your priority dates are in place, and the NVC has handled all documents, the beneficiary is scheduled to be interviewed at a U.S. consulate or their home country’s embassy.
• Medical Exam: Before the interview, the person being interviewed must undergo a medical exam with an approved panel doctor.
• Visa Issue: If the consular officer accepts the visa application within an interview with the applicant, the applicant will receive an immigrant Visa stamped on their passport.

7. Admission into the U.S. and Green Card Issue:

• With the help of an immigrant visa, the beneficiary can now go to the U.S.
• Upon arrival, they’ll be subject to an inspection by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). If accepted, they’ll be deemed to be a permanent lawful resident.
• The green card’s physical form is generally sent to the recipient’s U.S. address after arrival.

8. Potential Challenges:

• “Age Out: Beneficiaries, particularly those in the F2A category, must know about the possibility of being able to “age out” if they reach 21 years old before the Visa is issued and are not covered by CSPA. Child Status Protection Act (CSPA).
• Document delays: Check that all documents are up to date, translated if needed, and presented promptly to prevent delays.

Conclusion

Navigating through the maze of the U.S. immigration system requires an understanding of the different visa categories. For instance, the F21 and the F2A visas, which fall under the Family Second Preference umbrella, demonstrate the system’s precise categorization to accommodate different family relationships.

While they share the same overarching purpose of reuniting families, they each address specific individuals of the hierarchy of family members: adults, unmarried children, and spouses of younger children from U.S. permanent residents.

Knowing the differences between the different visa categories isn’t only a matter of semantics. It has practical implications for the application process, along with wait times and general expectations.

As families and applicants begin the process of immigration, being armed with this knowledge could make an enormous difference in smoothing the process of joining family members in America. United States.

In the constantly changing policy landscape for immigration, being up to date and seeking advice from an expert is vital.