F2A/F2B — Spouse/child of LPR immigration law firms

About the F2A/F2B category

The F2A and F2B categories are for the family members of lawful permanent residents (green card holders) rather than U.S. citizens. F2A covers spouses and unmarried children under 21; F2B covers unmarried sons and daughters 21 or older. Both are capped preference categories with their own waiting lines, though F2A generally moves faster than the other family preferences. A key planning point is what happens if the petitioner naturalises to U.S. citizen during the wait, which can move a beneficiary into a different — sometimes faster — category. Tracking the Visa Bulletin and a child's age carefully is essential to avoid losing time.

Who the F2A/F2B category is for

  • You are the spouse or unmarried child of a lawful permanent resident.
  • F2A covers spouses and children under 21; F2B covers unmarried sons/daughters 21+.
  • If the petitioner naturalizes, the case can move to a faster category.

How the process works

How a family case unfolds: the U.S.-citizen or permanent-resident relative files an I-130 petition that proves the family relationship. For immediate relatives there is no visa-number wait; for the preference categories, the family then waits for the priority date to become current in the monthly Visa Bulletin. Once a visa is available, the relative abroad completes consular processing through the National Visa Center and a U.S. embassy interview, or — if already lawfully in the United States — files for adjustment of status. An affidavit of support is required to show the household can financially sponsor the immigrant, and a medical examination and background checks complete the case.

Common F2A/F2B pitfalls

A handful of avoidable problems account for most setbacks in these cases — nearly all of them easier to fix before filing than after:

  • Not tracking petitioner naturalization, which can speed the case up.
  • A child aging out of F2A without Child Status Protection Act math.
  • Missing Visa Bulletin movement and filing windows.

Related family options

Not sure the F2A/F2B is the right fit? These related routes are worth comparing:

When a law firm helps most

A firm's depth is genuinely useful for F2A/F2B cases: more hands for document-heavy filings, redundancy so a deadline is never missed, and experience spread across categories when a case has more than one moving part. For companies sponsoring workers, that capacity — and the compliance support that comes with it — is often the deciding factor between a firm and a solo practitioner.

What to look for in a firm

When you compare the firms above, weigh:

  • Relevant caseload — a firm that files matters like yours regularly, not just occasionally.
  • Team and capacity — enough attorneys and paralegals to meet deadlines without bottlenecks.
  • A clear point of contact — someone named who owns your file and keeps you updated.
  • Languages you speak — so nothing is lost between you and your case.
  • Transparent pricing — flat or clearly explained fees, agreed before the work begins.

Solo attorney or law firm?

Whether a firm or a solo lawyer fits a F2A/F2B cases depends on the case: firms bring a team and capacity for complex or high-volume matters, while a solo attorney often means a closer working relationship and lower cost on simpler filings. Compare both on Immigrantio — or switch to our immigration lawyers if an individual attorney is what you want.

Why use Immigrantio

Immigrantio exists to make that comparison straightforward. Every immigration law firms listed here is a verified, Bar-licensed U.S. immigration practice — never paid placement disguised as a recommendation. You can filter by language, location and price, read genuine client reviews, and see consultation fees up front, so you choose counsel for F2A/F2B cases with real information instead of guesswork. There are no referral fees and no middlemen: you deal with the lawyer directly, from the first consultation onward.

Start with a consultation: most immigration law firms above offer a video or phone call and respond within a day or two. A short first conversation is the quickest way to turn uncertainty into a concrete plan for your case.