Family reunification visas have always been one of the most frequently used pathways to lawful permanent residency in the United States.
The wait time for approval can vary based on the type of relationship, the country of origin, and the visa category. It is also affected by the staffing of the responsible agencies and the political climate. Below, we’ll review the most recent available information on the wait times for different categories so that applicants within those categories can know what to expect.
Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens
The government categorizes spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens as “immediate relatives.” This group has the shortest wait time because there is no annual cap on the number of visas that can be approved.
- An I-130 petition approval typically takes 11–15 months.
- An adjustment of status application for those who are already in the U.S. is about 8–10 months.
- Consular processing for applicants who are abroad takes an additional several months for National Visa Center review and interview scheduling.
For most immediate relatives, the overall process takes about one to one and a half years.
Family Preference Categories
Other relatives fall into “family preference” categories, and the numbers of those that can be approved are capped each year. These caps create significant backlogs, so applicants should expect significant wait times. Common categories of applications include:
- F2A applications are submitted by spouses and minor children of permanent residents. The wait time is currently over 30 months for petition processing alone, plus visa wait time.
- F2B applications are submitted by unmarried adult children of permanent residents, and often take 5–10 years.
- F3 applications are submitted by the married children of U.S. citizens. The waits can be more than a decade.
- F4 applications are submitted by the siblings of U.S. citizens. As an example of what to expect, some applicants from Mexico, India, or the Philippines have faced waits of more than 15 years.
There are several issues that can influence how long families will end up waiting. These include:
- Visa Caps & Quotas: Some categories have limited numbers of visas available, and they can quickly run out.
- Country of Origin: High-demand countries face longer waits.
- Backlogs at USCIS & Consulates: Limited staff and heavy caseloads can add significant delays.
- Quality of Information on the Application: When documents are missing or filled with errors, it can trigger requests for more information, which slows things down.
What Families Should Expect
In 2025, the family reunification process has proven to be extremely lengthy for many applicants. Immediate relatives should plan to wait 12–18 months, while those in capped preference categories should prepare themselves for years of waiting.
To stay informed, families should check the Visa Bulletin each month to see which priority dates are current and make sure that all their paperwork is complete and accurate before sending it in. For more information, contact an experienced immigration attorney who can provide you with answers on the different categories and the most current wait times.