V visas were created to reunite families who have been separated pending processing of their family based second preference immigrant visa applications. The V visa allows the holder to travel to and from, and live in, the United States until he/she becomes eligible to apply for an immigrant visa. Spouses and children under the age of 21 of Lawful Permanent Residents who have been waiting for at least three years for their immigrant visa applications to be processed in the family based second preference category on the basis of a petition filed on or before December 21, 2000, are eligible to apply for the V visa, provided their priority date is not yet current, or the immigrant visa petition has not yet been approved.