F2A in 2026 — category is current
F2A covers spouses and unmarried children under 21 of U.S. lawful permanent residents (green card holders). As of April 2026, F2A is current in the Visa Bulletin for all countries — meaning eligible beneficiaries can move forward with adjustment of status (I-485) or consular processing right now without waiting in line.
"Current" can change. F2A has historically retrogressed (gone backwards) when demand spikes. If you are eligible to file now, the safest move is to file now rather than wait. The total processing time once filed is typically 12-24 months depending on whether you file I-485 from inside the U.S. or go through consular processing abroad.
Inside the U.S. (I-485) vs. abroad (consular)
If the F2A beneficiary is already inside the U.S. in lawful status, filing I-485 with USCIS is usually faster — typically 12-18 months from concurrent I-130/I-485 filing to green card in 2026. If the beneficiary is abroad, the case goes through the National Visa Center (NVC) and a U.S. consulate, which generally takes 18-24 months from I-130 filing to immigrant visa interview.
What affects your F2A timeline
- Priority date. Date USCIS received your I-130.
- Country of birth. Even when F2A is current overall, Mexico and Philippines occasionally retrogress separately.
- Filing location. Inside U.S. (I-485) is typically faster than consular processing.
- USCIS field office or service center backlog. Affects I-485 interview scheduling.
- Whether the LPR petitioner naturalizes during the wait. If the petitioner becomes a U.S. citizen, the case can be upgraded to immediate relative (no waiting line).
Use the calculator below
The calculator is preset to F2A. Pick your country of birth, enter your priority date if you have one, and select your filing stage to see an estimated wait based on the most recent Visa Bulletin and USCIS data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is F2A current in 2026?
Yes. As of April 2026, F2A is current in the Visa Bulletin for all countries. Eligible spouses and unmarried children under 21 of green card holders can move forward with adjustment of status or consular processing without waiting in line. This can change month to month.
How long does an F2A green card take in 2026?
Total processing time after filing is typically 12-18 months for I-485 (adjustment of status from inside the U.S.) and 18-24 months for consular processing abroad. F2A being current means there is no Visa Bulletin wait on top of those processing times.
Can I file I-130 and I-485 together for F2A?
Yes, when F2A is current, you can file I-130 and I-485 concurrently if the beneficiary is in the U.S. in lawful status. This is generally the fastest path to a green card for F2A beneficiaries.
What happens if the green card holder petitioner becomes a U.S. citizen during the F2A wait?
If the LPR petitioner naturalizes, the spouse converts from F2A to immediate relative (no waiting line at all), and the unmarried child under 21 also converts to immediate relative. This is almost always faster, even if F2A was already current — though child age-out rules under the CSPA need to be checked.
What if F2A retrogresses while my case is pending?
If F2A is current when you file I-485, your case continues even if F2A later retrogresses. USCIS will simply not approve the I-485 until your priority date becomes current again under the Final Action Dates chart. You generally keep your work and travel authorization while waiting.
