U.S. Immigration under F-1 Visa: What You Need to Know About Sponsoring a Single Child Over 21

When talking about the F-1 visa, many people immediately think of studying in the U.S. However, in this article, ImmiPath will discuss U.S. immigration under the F-1 visa for U.S. citizens who are sponsoring their unmarried children over 21 to join them in the U.S.

So, what are the requirements for U.S. immigration under the F-1 visa, what is the process, and what are the costs involved? Let’s find out through the following article from ImmiPath!

1. What is U.S. Immigration under F-1 Visa?

U.S. immigration under the F-1 visa is a category specifically for the family members of U.S. citizens, particularly unmarried sons and daughters over the age of 21.

The sponsored individual receives a green card, allowing them to live, work, study, and apply for citizenship once they meet the requirements.

2. What are the Requirements for U.S. Immigration under the F-1 visa?

To be eligible for U.S. immigration under the F-1 visa category, the following conditions must be met:

• The son or daughter must be unmarried and the child of a U.S. citizen (not a permanent resident).
• The son or daughter must be 21 years of age or older.
• The adult child must have met the legal definition of “child” under U.S. immigration law when they were under 21.
• The sponsor must be a U.S. citizen.

Each year, there are 23,400 visas available for the F-1 immigration category.

3. The Process for U.S. Immigration under the F-1 visa

There are 4 steps required to successfully apply for U.S. immigration under the F-1 visa for unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens:

• Step 1: The U.S. citizen submits Form I-130 to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), along with documents proving that the family relationship between the petitioner and the beneficiary is genuine.
• Step 2: After USCIS receives the application, staff will verify all information to approve or deny the request. If the application is approved, the applicant will need to submit additional required documents and wait for the visa to be issued.
• Step 3: Next, the unmarried son or daughter must wait until a visa becomes available (with a cap of approximately 226,000 visas issued each year).
• Step 4: If the unmarried son or daughter is abroad, they will need to attend an interview at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate and wait for visa approval. Once approved, they will be able to enter the U.S. with a Family Preference Visa (F-1). If the application is denied initially (when submitting Form I-130 to USCIS), the sponsor can submit a new petition after making necessary adjustments for approval.

See more: Tips for parents sponsoring their children to the U.S.

4. Cost of Immigrating to the U.S. under the F-1 Visa

To help clients understand the costs of immigrating to the U.S. under the F-1 visa, ImmiPath has compiled the following fee breakdown for sponsoring unmarried children over 21 years old:

Item	Cost
Filing fee to USCIS	$525/application
Fee for financial sponsorship review submitted to NVC	$120/application
Fee for civil documents review submitted to NVC	$325/person
Medical examination at Cho Ray Hospital, IOM	Adult: $275 Children (2-14 years old): $240 Children under 2 years old: $165
Immigration fee (USCIS immigrant fee)	$220/person
Police clearance certificate (from local justice department)	200,000 VND/person
Document translation costs	Varies by service provider and number of pages
Visa courier fee	140,000 VND
Additional expenses	Other potential costs include attorney fees, immigration agency fees, travel and accommodation for interviews, and airfare to the U.S. if the visa is approved.

5. What are the Documents Required for U.S. Immigration under the F-1 Visa?

For the F-1 visa U.S. immigration process, both the petitioner (U.S. citizen) and the beneficiary (unmarried children over 21 years old) must prepare specific documents:

For the Sponsor:

• Form I-485: Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
• Copy of Form I-797: Notice of Action.
• Two Passport-style Photos: Recent and meeting U.S. visa requirements.
• Form I-864: Affidavit of Support, to demonstrate financial capability.
• Form I-693: Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record.
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship: Such as a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization certificate.
• Certified Records from Police and Courts: Documentation of any criminal charges, arrests, or convictions, if applicable.
• Documentation of Past or Current Nonimmigrant J-1 or J-2 Status: Including proof of compliance with or waiver of the 2-year foreign residence requirement under INA 212(e), if applicable.

For the Sponsored person (Unmarried Children of U.S. Citizens):

• Form I-485: Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
• Proof of Relationship: A copy of documents showing the relationship with the principal applicant (the U.S. citizen).
• Copy of Form I-797: Approval or receipt notice for Form I-130, unless filing Form I-485 together with the petitioner’s I-485.
• Two Passport-style Photos
• Copy of Birth Certificate
• Copy of a Valid Passport
• Medical Examination Report
• Police Clearance Certificate

6. How Long Does It Take to Immigrate to the U.S. Under the F-1 Visa?

For all family-based visas, the approval process can be somewhat lengthy due to the annual limit on the number of available immigrant visas.

To avoid prolonged waiting times, when filing for U.S. immigration under the F-1 category, it is crucial for U.S. citizens and their unmarried children over 21 years old to correctly fill out the forms and provide the required documents and evidence to prevent delays.

Typically, immigration under the F-1 category – where U.S. citizens sponsor their unmarried children over 21 years old – has a waiting period of about 6-7 years before they can reunite in the United States.

At ImmiPath, we understand how frustrating this wait can be. That is why we offer this guide and provide exceptional services to help you navigate the F-1 visa process more smoothly.

7. Frequently Asked Questions about U.S. Immigration under the F-1 Visa

7.1. Is it safe to rely on ImmiPath to file the F-1 visa application for my unmarried children?

Rest assured, ImmiPath has a team of experienced professionals with offices in both Vietnam and the U.S., ready to assist you in processing your documents to make the F-1 visa application easier.

7.2. I have many unanswered questions about the F-1 visa. Where can I find more information?

Applying for a visa can be complex, especially when sponsoring family members to the U.S. or obtaining a green card. That is why ImmiPath is here to help address any concerns you may have.

We are committed to making the F-1 visa process smoother for you. In the meantime, please feel free to contact ImmiPath’s customer service center, call our Hotline, or leave a comment below the article for assistance with documents, evidence, or other types of U.S. visas.

7.3. What happens if my unmarried child over 21 gets married during the F-1 visa sponsorship process?

If your unmarried child over 21 gets married during the F-1 visa sponsorship process, the application will be reclassified from an F-1 visa to an F3 visa. This change will result in a significantly longer waiting period, potentially doubling the time to approximately 12-13 years.

Therefore, it is advised that F-1 applicants avoid getting married until they have successfully arrived in the U.S.

7.4. Can I submit the Family Preference Visa (F-1) application for my unmarried son and daughter online?

Part of this process can be done online. The first step is to complete the USCIS Form I-130, which can be done entirely online, but remember that you must first create a USCIS account (this can be done on the official USCIS website).

Keep in mind that submitting Form I-130 is just the first step in helping your son or daughter immigrate to the United States and obtain a green card. However, the approval of this petition is just the beginning of the process.

7.5. Can you give me some tips for filling out the Family Preference Visa (F-1)?

ImmiPath offers the following tips for a successful process when opening a U.S. immigration file under the F-1 category:

• The Family Preference Visa (F-1) is specifically for unmarried sons or daughters who are 21 years or older and are family members of U.S. citizens. Therefore, make sure you have all the necessary documents to confirm that the family relationship is legitimate.
• The process of obtaining a green card through this visa is very complex, which is why many documents are required. Always check the official USCIS website to ensure you have all the necessary documents.
• Always use black ink when filling out and signing documents, and don’t forget to review the information to ensure its accuracy.

These are the key points regarding the U.S. F-1 immigration category. Hopefully, this information will be useful to those interested in this visa type.

If you have any further questions about U.S. immigration under the F-1 category or want to learn about other U.S. visa types, please comment below the article. The ImmiPath consulting team will assist and advise you with all the experience to help you choose the most suitable U.S. immigration path.