The family sponsored F2A category has become “Current” for August and is expected to stay “Current” for the next several months. This means that foreign nationals who are spouses or child (under the age of 21) of a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) may immediately apply for lawful permanent resident status.
This means that while the priority date stays current, that a spouse or child of a LPR who is lawfully present in the United States may apply to adjust their status while in the United States. For example, if a spouse of a LPR is currently in the United States on a student visa, they can now apply for a green card. Therefore, they would be adjusting their status from a student to a LPR. If the spouse or child of a LPR is currently living in the United States after their visa expired they should not apply for adjustment of status until their LPR spouse naturalizes.
If the spouse and children of the LPR are outside of the United States, the LPR may petition for them. Once the petition is approved they can then apply for their green card through the consulate in their home country if the priority date is still “Current.” This is called consulate processing.