US Immigration Lawyers for Family and Citizenship Services

Reuniting families through lawful permanent residence

If you are the unmarried son or daughter (aged 21 or over) of a U.S. citizen, you may qualify for a Green Card under the Family First Preference (F1) immigrant visa category.

At Blue Lake Law, we assist families navigating the complex U.S. family-based immigration system. From filing the initial petition through to consular processing or adjustment of status, we provide structured legal guidance at every stage.

Speak to our immigration lawyers today

What is the F1 Family First Preference Visa?

The F1 Family First Preference category allows U.S. citizens to sponsor their unmarried son or daughter over the age of 21 for permanent residence in the USA. Unlike immediate relative categories, the F1 visa classification is subject to annual limits set by U.S. immigration law. As a result, even after an initial petition is approved, applicants must wait for a visa number to become available based on their priority date.

This structured waiting period for these visas is one of the most important aspects of the F1 process. Understanding how priority dates and the Visa Bulletin work, and how your personal circumstances may affect your case, is essential to avoiding preventable delays or complications. 

Our team at Blue Lake Law are specialists in immigration law and will happily guide you through the U.S. immigration process to ensure your application and forms are correct, reducing the complexities and overwhelming nature of the process.

Speak to our F1 Visa Specialists 

Who is eligible for the F1 Visa?

Eligibility under the F1 category is based on both family relationship and personal status. The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen, and the beneficiary must be their unmarried son or daughter who is at least 21 years old. In addition, the U.S. citizen parent must demonstrate the financial ability to sponsor their child through an Affidavit of Support once a visa becomes available.

If the applicant marries at any stage before obtaining permanent residence, the petition will become invalid under the F1 Category and may convert to a different category, depending on circumstances.

F1 Visa Process

As this is a preference-based immigrant category, the process involves multiple stages and often long waiting periods.

Step 1: Filing Form I-130

The U.S. citizen parent files Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration) to establish the qualifying relationship between you and your unmarried son or daughter.

Step 2: Priority Date Assignment

Once the petition is received by the USCIS, a priority date is issued. This date determines the applicant’s place in the visa queue.

Step 3: Visa Bulletin Monitoring

The applicant must wait until their priority date becomes current under the Department of State Visa Bulletin.

Step 4: Consular Processing or Adjustment of Status

When a visa number becomes available:

• Applicants outside the U.S. must complete consular processing
• Eligible applicants inside the U.S. may file for adjustment of status

Step 5: Green Card Approval

Upon approval, the applicant becomes a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

Speak to our immigration lawyers today 

Important considerations during the waiting period

The F1 visa category is subject to annual caps, which can average around 23,400 visas per year, and waiting times can extend over several years. During this period, maintaining eligibility is critical. 

The petition itself does not grant permission to enter the United States or remain in the country without separate lawful status. If the beneficiary is already in the United States, maintaining a valid immigration status is essential until they are eligible to adjust.

If there are changes in your child’s marital status, or you’ve spent extended periods outside the United States, or your financial situation changes that can affect sponsorship can all impact the final stage of the case. 

This is why careful planning can help reduce the risk and help you move forward with certainty when a visa number becomes available.

How Blue Lake Law can help

How Blue Lake Law Can Help

We understand that the F1 Visa process can be complex and overwhelming, and ensuring your application is accurate and stable throughout the lengthy process is key. This is why our team of immigration specialists will ensure that your petition is filed accurately from the outset. We will actively monitor the visa bulletin movement and prepare Affidavit of Support documentation for you, helping remove the stress and burden of reuniting with your family member. 

If you are looking to reunite your family in the U.S., speak to our team of immigration lawyers who will help and guide you through the whole visa process.