Visto n' Visa

I am on F2B and I am going to get married. What changes to my category?

By getting married, you lose the ''unmarried'' condition required by the F2B visa, impacting eligibility and possibly requiring migration to another category, such as F3, depending on the case.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on May 2, 2025
2 min read
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The immigration process involves specific rules for each visa category, and a significant change in your personal situation – such as marriage – can indeed alter your eligibility.

In the case of the F2B visa, it is important to understand that this category is intended for unmarried sons and daughters (21 years or older) of permanent residents. This means that, upon getting married, you no longer meet the basic criterion of being ”unmarried”, which generally makes it impossible to maintain the petition under the F2B category.

If you marry before the process is finalized or while waiting for visa availability, this change in your marital status will have a direct impact. Usually, from the moment the marriage is legally recognized, your case may no longer be eligible for the F2B category.

In some situations, if your sponsor becomes a naturalized citizen and you qualify to be included in another family category – such as married children of U.S. citizens (F3, for example) – there may be the possibility to transfer or restart the process. However, each case has its particularities, and waiting times can vary significantly between categories.

It is essential that you closely follow the steps of your process and, above all, strictly adhere to the rules established by United States immigration laws. It is recommended to consult official sources, such as the Department of State website or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), as well as to seek guided assistance from specialized professionals – always verifying the credibility and reputation of consultants – to avoid inaccurate information or offers promising quick and guaranteed solutions.

Remember that every change in your personal status can have significant impacts on the immigration procedure, and being well informed about these changes is essential to make the best decisions for your situation.

Learn more about Family Based

Type
Family-sponsored Green Card
Sponsor
U.S. citizen or LPR
Petition
Form I-130
Processing
12 months to several years
All about Family Based

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.

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I am on F2B and I am going to get married. What changes to my category?

By getting married, you lose the ''unmarried'' condition required by the F2B visa, impacting eligibility and possibly requiring migration to another category, such as F3, depending on the case.

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