What Is the Age Limit for an F4 Visa Child?
The F4 visa is a family preference visa for siblings of U.S. citizens, and it allows the sibling’s spouse and unmarried children under 21 to be included as derivative beneficiaries. For a child to qualify under the F4 visa category, they must be unmarried and under the age of 21 at the time a visa becomes available. However, because F4 cases often take many years to process—sometimes 15–20 years—many children age out before the case is completed.
To address this, the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) may help preserve a child’s eligibility even if they turn 21 during the waiting period. The CSPA allows a child’s age to be “frozen” at the time the visa petition (Form I-130) is filed, minus the time the petition was pending. This calculation determines if the child still qualifies as under 21 for immigration purposes.
It’s important to carefully calculate CSPA eligibility, as it can make the difference between a child being included in the green card process or not. Given the complexities involved and the long wait times in the F4 category, consulting with an immigration attorney is highly recommended.
For personalized guidance and support, feel free to contact us.
