V Nonimmigrant Visas
The V visa is a nonimmigrant visa created to allow families to stay together while waiting for the processing of immigrant visas.
If you are a permanent resident (Green Card holder), your spouse, child (unmarried and under 21), or the child of your spouse (your step-child) may be eligible for a V visa if:
- You filed Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, for your family member on or before December 21, 2000. This includes children (unmarried and under 21) listed on the petition.
- The family member has been waiting at least 3 years since you filed the Form I-130.
- The immigrant visa is not available on an approved Form I-130 petition OR the application to adjust status is pending OR the petition for an immigrant visa is pending.
If your family member is inside the United States, you file:
- Form I-539, Application to Change Nonimmigrant Status, and Supplement A (PDF, 385.34 KB) and
- Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record.
If your family member is outside the United States:
- He or she must go through consular processing. For more information, see the Nonimmigrant (V) Visa for Spouse and Children of a Lawful Permanent Resident page. For more information on consular processing overseas, see the Consular Processing page.
More Information
Forms
- I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
- I-864, Affidavit of Support
- Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
Other USCIS Links
- Green Card (Permanent Residence)
- Green Card for a Family Member of a U.S. Citizen
- Visa Availability & Priority Dates
- Adjustment of Status
- Consular Processing
- Check Processing Times
- Military
- In-Country Refugee/Parole Processing for Central American Minors
External Links