F3 Visa application

[Zakria Samuel 0]

Hi there,

I'm a Canadian citizen. I want to file F3 visa application. Can I do it on my own or do I need to hire a lawyer to do it, which option is better?  Thanks.

[JeanneAdil 7,087]

have your parents (as stated in October 2024) made the I 130 for you?

this is a log process and subject to final action dates on the visa bulletin

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2025/visa-bulletin-for-june-2025.html

 

you will not do the ds 260 for the actual visa until the case is at  NVC and requested on that stage of immigration

[Zakria Samuel 0]

Thanks. Can they do it on their own online or need to hire a lawyer? 

22 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

have your parents (as stated in October 2024) made the I 130 for you?

this is a log process and subject to final action dates on the visa bulletin

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2025/visa-bulletin-for-june-2025.html

 

you will not do the ds 260 for the actual visa until the case is at  NVC and requested on that stage of immigration

Thanks. Can they do it on their own online or need to hire a lawyer? 

[appleblossom 4,451]

19 minutes ago, Zakria Samuel said:

Thanks. Can they do it on their own online or need to hire a lawyer? 

Thanks. Can they do it on their own online or need to hire a lawyer? 

No need to hire a lawyer unless they have complicate circumstances or aren’t comfortable with forms/paperwork. But which stage of the process are you at? Has the I-130 been filed yet? 

Edited July 8 by appleblossom

[Zakria Samuel 0]

1 minute ago, appleblossom said:

No need to hire a lawyer unless they have complicate circumstances or aren’t comfortable with forms/paperwork. But which stage of the process are you at? Has the I-130 been filed yet? 

Nothing has been filed yet. 

[appleblossom 4,451]

Just now, Zakria Samuel said:

Nothing has been filed yet. 

OK. You asked about it 9 months ago, any reason it’s not been filed yet? You are aware that you’ve probably got a 15+ year or so wait ahead of you? The sooner it gets submitted and your place is secured in line, the better. 
 

Follow the instructions here - https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-1-submit-a-petition.html

 

Good luck. 

[appleblossom 4,451]

**Thread moved to Bringing Family Members of USC’s forum**

[Zakria Samuel 0]

On 7/8/2025 at 11:12 AM, JeanneAdil said:

have your parents (as stated in October 2024) made the I 130 for you?

this is a log process and subject to final action dates on the visa bulletin

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2025/visa-bulletin-for-june-2025.html

 

you will not do the ds 260 for the actual visa until the case is at  NVC and requested on that stage of immigration

Hi, thanks for your answer. Both my parents are US citizens. So, anyone of them can file the F3 application for me?

thanks.

On 7/8/2025 at 11:59 AM, appleblossom said:

OK. You asked about it 9 months ago, any reason it’s not been filed yet? You are aware that you’ve probably got a 15+ year or so wait ahead of you? The sooner it gets submitted and your place is secured in line, the better. 
 

Follow the instructions here - https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-1-submit-a-petition.html

 

Good luck. 

Hi, thanks for your answer. Both my parents are US citizens. So, anyone of them can file the F3 application for me?

thanks.

[appleblossom 4,451]

37 minutes ago, Zakria Samuel said:

Hi, thanks for your answer. Both my parents are US citizens. So, anyone of them can file the F3 application for me?

thanks.

Hi, thanks for your answer. Both my parents are US citizens. So, anyone of them can file the F3 application for me?

thanks.

 

Yes, either of them can, or even both of them (possibly a good idea so you have a second petition as back up, just in case - as awful as it is to think about - something happens to the petitioning parent). Just get it filed asap, so you're in the line and the clock starts ticking.

 

Good luck. 

[Zakria Samuel 0]

14 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

Yes, either of them can, or even both of them (possibly a good idea so you have a second petition as back up, just in case - as awful as it is to think about - something happens to the petitioning parent). Just get it filed asap, so you're in the line and the clock starts ticking.

 

Good luck. 

Thanks!

[Zakria Samuel 0]

1 hour ago, appleblossom said:

 

Yes, either of them can, or even both of them (possibly a good idea so you have a second petition as back up, just in case - as awful as it is to think about - something happens to the petitioning parent). Just get it filed asap, so you're in the line and the clock starts ticking.

 

Good luck. 

Also, I have a quick question regarding my F2B file. My parents had filed petition for F2B visa in 2007 when I was single. Eventually I got married in 2010. So, is there any way that my same F2B petition can now be changed to F3 visa category or do they need to file a new F3 petition? Thanks.

On 7/8/2025 at 11:54 AM, appleblossom said:

No need to hire a lawyer unless they have complicate circumstances or aren’t comfortable with forms/paperwork. But which stage of the process are you at? Has the I-130 been filed yet? 

Also, I have a quick question regarding my F2B file. My parents had filed petition for F2B visa in 2007 when I was single. Eventually I got married in 2010. So, is there any way that my same F2B petition can now be changed to F3 visa category or do they need to file a new F3 petition? Thanks.

[appleblossom 4,451]

7 minutes ago, Zakria Samuel said:

Also, I have a quick question regarding my F2B file. My parents had filed petition for F2B visa in 2007 when I was single. Eventually I got married in 2010. So, is there any way that my same F2B petition can now be changed to F3 visa category or do they need to file a new F3 petition? Thanks.

Oh! Yes, your existing petition is still valid but will just change category. But I assume it already has done, as otherwise you should have a visa by now (or at least be close to it). So did you inform NVC of your marriage at the time? What category is it on CEAC? And which country were you born in? 
 

 

Edited Monday at 03:47 PM by appleblossom

[Zakria Samuel 0]

1 minute ago, appleblossom said:

Oh! Yes, your existing petition is still valid but will just change category. But I assume it already has done, as otherwise you should have a visa by now (or at least be close to it). So did you inform NVC of your marriage at the time? What category is it on CEAC? 
 

 

I have no idea about the category. We did not inform them about the marriage. I received some letters from NVC back in 2010/2011 as they were following up on ,y F2B case. I don't even remember my file number now. 

Can I contact them and ask to locate my file number, will it still be active in their system?  thanks

[appleblossom 4,451]

22 minutes ago, Zakria Samuel said:

I have no idea about the category. We did not inform them about the marriage. I received some letters from NVC back in 2010/2011 as they were following up on ,y F2B case. I don't even remember my file number now. 

Can I contact them and ask to locate my file number, will it still be active in their system?  thanks

So what happened in 2010/2011? My concern is that if you didn’t pursue that application your case has now been closed and you’ll have no option but to start from scratch with a 15+ year wait ahead of you. 
 

Did you pay fees, submit docs etc? 

Edited Monday at 04:14 PM by appleblossom

[Zakria Samuel 0]

11 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

So what happened in 2010/2011? My concern is that if you didn’t pursue that application your case has now been closed. 
 

Did you pay fees, submit docs etc? 

We did not pursue it further as I was married. I eventually immigrated to Canada in 2018. No, We did  not pay any fees or submit docs. 

Edited Monday at 04:25 PM by Zakria Samuel