How Long Should You Expect to Wait for an F3 Visa in 2026?

If you are the married son or daughter of a United States citizen, or if you are a US citizen trying to bring your married adult child to the country, you already know that the F3 visa category is not a fast path. The wait is measured in years, sometimes in decades depending on where you were born. Understanding exactly why the wait is so long, what the current numbers look like, and what you can do to protect your position in line is not optional knowledge. It is