F2A Visa Category Current in April 2026: What Spouses and Children of Green Card Holders Must Do Now

F2A Visa Category Current in April 2026: What Spouses and Children of Green Card Holders Must Do Now

If you are a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) sponsoring your spouse or unmarried child under 21, the April 2026 Visa Bulletin has delivered exceptional news. The F2A family preference category is now listed as "Current" (C) in the Dates for Filing chart for all countries of chargeability.

This rare and highly anticipated movement means that eligible spouses and children who are physically present in the United States can immediately file their Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, regardless of their priority date.

At Alaz Law, we are advising all eligible clients to act swiftly. Visa Bulletin dates can retrogress (move backward) in subsequent months, meaning this window of opportunity could close as quickly as it opened.

---

The U.S. Department of State publishes the monthly Visa Bulletin to track the availability of immigrant visas. Because Congress limits the number of family-based green cards issued each year, most categories experience significant backlogs.

The Visa Bulletin utilizes two distinct charts:

1. Final Action Dates: Determines when a green card can actually be approved and issued.
2. Dates for Filing: Determines when an applicant can submit their final green card application (Form I-485) to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

For April 2026, the Dates for Filing chart lists the F2A category as "C" (Current) for all countries, including typically backlogged nations like Mexico, India, China, and the Philippines.

When a category is "Current" in the Dates for Filing chart, and USCIS confirms it will accept applications based on that chart, it means there is no wait time to file your application. Any qualified applicant with an approved or pending Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) can file their Form I-485 immediately.

---

To take advantage of this current filing date, you must meet specific criteria:

• You must be in the F2A Category: This strictly applies to the spouses and unmarried children (under the age of 21) of U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents. It does not apply to the F2B category (unmarried adult children 21 and older of permanent residents).
• You must be physically present in the U.S.: To file Form I-485 for Adjustment of Status, the beneficiary must be inside the United States.
• You must be in lawful status: Unlike the spouses of U.S. citizens, the spouses of Green Card holders must generally be in a valid nonimmigrant status (such as H-1B, F-1, or TN) at the time of filing to adjust status. Unlawful presence or unauthorized employment can bar you from adjusting status under the F2A category.
• You must have an I-130 filed: You must either have an already approved Form I-130, a pending Form I-130, or be prepared to file Form I-130 concurrently with your Form I-485.

---

Filing your Adjustment of Status application unlocks several immediate and life-changing benefits, even while you wait for the final green card approval:

1. Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

By filing Form I-765 alongside your I-485, you can obtain an unrestricted work permit. This allows the foreign spouse or child to work legally for any employer in the United States while the green card is pending.

2. Advance Parole (Travel Document)

Filing Form I-131 allows you to obtain Advance Parole. Once approved, this document permits you to travel internationally and re-enter the U.S. without abandoning your pending green card application.

3. Protection from Aging Out

For children approaching their 21st birthday, filing the I-485 can freeze their age under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA), preventing them from "aging out" and dropping into the heavily backlogged F2B category.

4. Legal Stay in the U.S.

Once the I-485 is properly filed and accepted by USCIS, the applicant is granted a period of authorized stay. You can legally remain in the U.S. while the application is processed, even if your underlying nonimmigrant visa expires.

---

The Department of State has explicitly warned that visa availability can fluctuate. The advancement of the F2A category to "Current" in the Dates for Filing chart is a strategic move to generate demand, but it is not guaranteed to last.

If USCIS receives a flood of applications in April, the Department of State may retrogress (move backward) the dates in May or June 2026 to control the inventory. If the dates retrogress before your application is received by USCIS, you will lose the ability to file and must wait until your priority date becomes current again—a wait that could take years.

---

If you are eligible, you should immediately begin assembling your concurrent filing packet. A complete F2A Adjustment of Status packet typically includes:

• Form I-130: Petition for Alien Relative (if not already filed/approved)
• Form I-485: Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
• Form I-864: Affidavit of Support (proving the sponsor meets income requirements)
• Form I-765: Application for Employment Authorization (optional but highly recommended)
• Form I-131: Application for Travel Document (optional but highly recommended)
• Form I-693: Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record

You will also need substantial supporting evidence, including proof of the sponsor's permanent resident status, proof of the bona fide marriage (for spouses), birth certificates, passport copies, and evidence that the beneficiary has maintained lawful status in the U.S.

---

The April 2026 Visa Bulletin presents a golden opportunity for Green Card holders to secure permanent residency, work authorization, and travel flexibility for their spouses and minor children. However, the window to file is strictly limited to the month of April, and there is no guarantee it will remain open in May.

At Alaz Law, our experienced immigration attorneys are mobilizing to help families take advantage of this current F2A priority date. We handle the complexities of concurrent filings, ensuring your application is accurate, complete, and submitted before the window closes.

Do not miss this opportunity. Contact Alaz Law today to schedule an urgent consultation and begin preparing your F2A Adjustment of Status application.