The USA V visa is a nonimmigrant visa category created under the Legal Immigration Family Equity Act (LIFE Act) on December 21, 2000.
Its primary purpose is to reunite families by allowing certain spouses and children of U.S. lawful permanent residents (LPRs) to be together in the United States while waiting for the completion of their immigration process.
The V visa is designed to prevent prolonged separation during the immigration journey.
Eligibility Criteria for USA V Visa
To qualify for a USA V visa, the applicant must meet the following criteria:
- The U.S. lawful permanent resident spouse and/or parent must have filed Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of the spouse or child on or before December 21, 2000.
- The priority date of the filed petition must be at least three years old and not be current.
- The applicant must not have already had an immigrant visa interview or be scheduled for one.
- The petition must not already be at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for immigrant visa processing.
- The applicant must be otherwise eligible as an immigrant.
Family Members Covered by the V Visa
The V visa applies to spouses and children (under age 21) of U.S. lawful permanent residents. This includes the spouse of an LPR and their unmarried children.
Additionally, step-children of the U.S. lawful permanent resident are also eligible for the V visa if they meet the specified criteria.
The Purpose of the V Visa
The main purpose of the V visa is to keep families together during the often lengthy immigration process.
By allowing eligible family members to stay in the United States with their LPR spouse or parent, the V visa mitigates the emotional and practical challenges of prolonged separation.
Application Process for the V Visa
If the family member is inside the United States, the applicant needs to file Form I-539, Application to Change Nonimmigrant Status, along with Supplement A.
Additionally, Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, is required.
For family members outside the United States, the applicant must go through consular processing. Detailed information about this process is available on the Consular Processing page.
Supporting Documents Required for V Visa Application
When applying for a V visa, the applicant should provide the following supporting documents:
- Completed Form I-539 and Supplement A (if applying within the United States).
- Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (if applying within the United States).
- Relevant proof of relationship to the U.S. lawful permanent resident, such as marriage certificates or birth certificates.
- Evidence of the U.S. lawful permanent resident’s filing of Form I-130 on or before December 21, 2000.
- Any additional documents requested by USCIS or the U.S. Embassy/Consulate.
It’s important to note that while the V visa category still exists, no V visas have been issued for several years due to the availability of immigrant visas.
Processing Time and Fees
The processing time for a V visa application can depends on various factors, including the applicant’s country of origin and the volume of applications received.
Kindly to check with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the applicant’s home country for the most up-to-date processing time estimates.
Regarding fees, applicants are required to pay the standard visa application fee.
Specific fee amounts may change, so applicants should refer to the U.S. Department of State’s official website or the U.S. Embassy/Consulate for the current fee schedule.
Benefits and Limitations of the V Visa
The V visa offers significant benefits, allowing eligible family members to live with their U.S. lawful permanent resident spouse or parent while waiting for the completion of the immigration process.
This prevents long periods of separation and enables families to stay together during this critical time.
Tips for a Successful V Visa Application
- Ensure that all required documents are complete and accurately filled out.
- Submit the application well in advance to account for potential processing delays.
- Keep track of priority dates and stay informed about visa bulletin updates.
- Seek legal advice or assistance if needed to navigate the application process effectively.
FAQs
Are V visas still being issued?
No, V visas have not been issued for several years. Applicants with priority dates on or before December 21, 2000, have been able to apply for immigrant visas as their priority dates become current. As a result, the V visa category is not currently being utilized.
What are the eligibility criteria for the V visa?
To be eligible for a V visa, a spouse or child (under age 21) of a U.S. lawful permanent resident (LPR) must meet the following criteria:
- The U.S. LPR spouse and/or parent must have filed Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of the spouse/child(ren) on or before December 21, 2000.
- The petition’s priority date must be at least three years old and not be current.
- The applicant must not have already had an immigrant visa interview or be scheduled for one.
- The petition must not already be at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for immigrant visa processing.
- The applicant must be otherwise eligible as an immigrant.
Conclusion
The USA V visa was created to unite families during the immigration process.
While it offers valuable benefits, no V visas have been issued in recent years due to changes in the immigrant visa processing system.
What that means is that you should opt for the US family immigration visas instead.