Family Immigration Lawyer

Are you wanting to unite your family in the United States? Whether you are trying to emigrate to the U.S. or you are needing to bring family members into the country, a family immigration lawyer can help you navigate the process with ease to start your new chapter in the United States. Read on to learn the types of family-based immigration, who is eligible for a green card, and the steps involved.

Working With a Family Immigration Lawyer Makes the Process Easier

Any foreign citizen interested in permanently residing in the United States will need an immigrant visa. But the journey to getting a visa for foreign citizens can certainly be a long process and challenging at times. A simple mistake can cause your application to be denied, which results in extreme delays in obtaining your visa.

A family immigration lawyer has extensive knowledge and familiarity with the U.S. immigration process. Your family visa attorney can review your documents for completeness and ensure the smoothest process possible.

Types of Family-Based Immigration

Family-based visas are a type of visa in the immigrant category. This type of visa enables U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents to petition for an immigrant relative to reside in the United States.

U.S. Citizen

Those who have immediate relatives living in the United States are eligible for an Immediate Relative Immigrant Visa. This type of visa is not subject to yearly limits, such as with some other Family Preference Visas. Here are a few types of Immediate Relative Immigrant Visas someone may qualify for:

• IR-1: This visa is for an individual who is the spouse of a U.S. citizen. It enables them to join their partner in the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident.
• IR-2: This visa is for unmarried children of a U.S. citizen who are also under the age of 21 and living outside of the U.S.
• IR-3: Orphans adopted abroad by a U.S. citizen can obtain this visa.
• IR-4: Orphans who will be adopted by a U.S. citizen can obtain this visa.
• IR-5: A parent of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old can obtain this visa.

Lawful Permanent Resident

An individual who is a lawful permanent resident can also petition for someone residing outside the U.S. This person must be a close family relative and will obtain an F2 visa.

• F2A: This is a U.S. immigrant visa designed for spouses and minor children of individuals who hold green cards.
• F2B: This is a U.S. immigrant visa designed for unmarried children of individuals who hold green cards.

Family Preference Visa

There are also Family Preference Visas that are designed for familial relationships other than a spouse, child, or parents. These types of visas have limits on approvals each fiscal year. Once the visa has been approved, the foreign relative will need to wait until a visa number is available to them.

Who Is Eligible?

It’s important to note that there are only two groups eligible for a family immigration visa: immediate relatives and those that fall under the family preference categories.

Immediate Relatives

1. Spouses of U.S. citizens
2. Unmarried children (who are under 21 years old) of U.S. citizens
3. Orphans adopted abroad, and orphans to be adopted by a U.S. citizen
4. Parents of U.S. citizens (who are at least 21 years old)

Family Preferences

1. Unmarried adult children (over age 21) of U.S. citizens
2. Spouses, minor children, and unmarried adult children (over age 21) of lawful permanent residents
3. Married children of U.S. citizens, their spouses, and their minor children
4. Siblings of U.S. citizens (who are over age 21), their spouses, and their minor children

Steps to Applying for a Family Immigration Visa

Once immigration officials approve the I-130 petition or if an immigration visa is immediately available, there are two ways to obtain a family-based visa: Adjustment of Status and Consular Processing.

Adjustment of Status

Adjustment of Status is used specifically for immigrants in the U.S. This is typically reserved for immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen who are on a nonimmigrant visa and entered the U.S. in a lawful way. For instance, a Chinese parent visiting the U.S. on a tourist visa to see their child may make the decision to relocate and can adjust to being a permanent resident.

Consular Processing

Consular Processing is designed for immigrants who are either inside or outside the U.S. This is the process used when an immigrant is applying for a green card through the U.S. embassy or consular office in a foreign country. If the visa expires for the individual looking to obtain residency before their green card is ready, they will need to go back to their country and wait.

Obtain Help from a Family Immigration Lawyer

If you’re interested in starting the process of getting your family immigration visa, obtain help from a family immigration attorney to help strengthen your case. Acquiring a visa involves a lot of steps and various paperwork. With that said, it’s important to minimize mistakes as you navigate the process to achieve a successful outcome.

An experienced family immigration lawyer can walk you through all of the required steps and check documents for accuracy to avoid unnecessary issues that can stand in the way. In addition to this, a knowledgeable immigration lawyer can help you maneuver permits and regulations. Whether you need an employment visa to enter the U.S., want permanent residency, or are looking to obtain U.S. citizenship, getting help from a skilled family-based immigration attorney is the best option to consider.

You can begin the process today with a free consultation.