Clarification on F2A/F2B visas, follow to join

[Ribs&Beans 0]

I've read through these forums, and I think I've figured this situation out, but I just want to verify that this is correct with some of you guys who have more experience with this type of visa.

My father in law is an LPR. He has 2 unmarried daughters outside of the US--one who is 18, one who is 28. Each of them has a child.

Is the following correct?

• For the 18 year old, he would be applying for an F2A visa with follow to join benefits for his daughter's child. This would probably take about 2 years; if she ages out, it would change to an F2B visa and take longer.
• For the 28 year old, he would be applying for an F2B visa with follow to join benefits for the daughter's child. This will take several years, but may be a little shorter if he eventually becomes a US citizen and changes the category of the petition.
• For both daughters, he would start by filing an I-130 petitions (one for each daughter), being sure to list the children of each daughter on their respective petition.

Please correct me if any of this is wrong!

Thanks. :-)

[Ribs&Beans 0]

ALSO:

• He would have to file a form I-824 to request follow to join benefits for the child of each daughter after each I-130 is approved.

Is that right?

[Boiler 46,130]

Exactly how old is the 18 year old?

Which Country is involved, some have longer processing times.

[Ribs & Beans 19]

I'll have to double check the 18 year old's birthday, but I think she turned 18 in January 2016.

They're from Dominican Republic.

[aleful 1,905]

hi

no follow to join is needed, the children are the parents' derivatives, so they'd come together,

are the father's involved? if the fathers are involved, they would need a letter from the parent allowing them to take the child out of the country

unfortunately, for unmarried children over 21, whether their parents are LPR or USC, the wait is about the same, over 7 years

so it wouldn't be less, sometimes the parents being only LPR has benefited them more, than if the parent becomes a USC, the category F2B is faster in a few months sooner than the category F1

Edited June 18, 2016 by aleful

[Ribs & Beans 19]

Thank you!

One of the fathers is involved. Would he need to submit the letter now with the I-130, or later when they have the interview?

Thanks for the info on the F2B--it's good to have realistic expectations.

Thank you!

One of the fathers is involved. Would he need to submit the letter now with the I-130, or later when they have the interview?

Thanks for the info on the F2B--it's good to have realistic expectations.

[aleful 1,905]

hi

the father's authorization is needed at the time of the interview

[Ribs & Beans 19]

Thank you--that helps a lot! Should the father's letter be notarized?

Also, I didn't realize follow to join and derivatives were two different things. Does that mean we don't have to do anything extra to ensure that their children can accompany them (other than the letter from the father)?

[aleful 1,905]

hi

nope, follow to join is if the children would come to the US within a year of the parent coming, that's why it's called follow to join

the derivatives have the interview at the same time and come with their parents

[Boiler 46,130]

Also bear in mind that the older sister's child could age out, 21 less whatever CSPA produces. And of course as it is such a long time in the future laws can change.

Assuming the 18 year old was 18 this year it could be a close run thing, so he should file asap.

[Ribs & Beans 19]

Yep--we're going to try to send in the application for the 18 year old this week!

The child of the older sister is 5 years old now, so hopefully she won't age out! We're going to try to send in that application this week too.

[MessiFcb10 1]

Hi, how are you? I found this forum through a research I was doing on google, I have a question, Im going to get married with a Legal Permanent Resident next month, I would like to know if the process for this visa (F2A) I could do it online, or do I have to pay someone like a lawyer to make this process ?