Family-Based Preference Categories (F1, F2A, F2B, F3, F4)

Family-sponsored green cards outside the "immediate relatives" bucket are allocated among four preference categories with annual numerical caps: F1 (unmarried adult sons/daughters of U.S. citizens), F2A (spouses and unmarried minor children of permanent residents), F2B (unmarried adult sons/daughters of permanent residents), F3 (married sons/daughters of U.S. citizens), and F4 (siblings of U.S. citizens). Because demand exceeds supply, these categories have backlogs tracked monthly in the Visa Bulletin. Wait times currently range from a few years (F2A) to over 20 years (F4 for Philippines and Mexico).