When you enjoy the benefits of United States citizenship or lawful permanent residency, it is only natural that you should want to extend those advantages to your loved ones. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents both have the ability to sponsor certain types of family members for green cards.
However, the United States immigration system can be extremely overwhelming and difficult to navigate.
Reuniting your family in the U.S. can be a complex, time-consuming, and arduous process. Our Orlando family visa lawyers at Angel Law Firm, can work to get your loved ones the visas they need as efficiently as possible.
We have an extensive knowledge of how to effectively navigate the U.S. immigration system and will do everything possible to help you and your family achieve your American dream.
Contact us online or call (407) 329-7711 to explore your family immigration options. We offer our legal services in English and Spanish.
According to immigration law an immediate relative includes the following family members:
There are no limits on the amount of immediate relative visas issued. This means you will experience no additional waiting period after your visa petition has been processed and cleared by USCIS.
Access to immediate relative sponsorships is a major advantage to permanent U.S. citizenship, as loved ones sponsored as immediate relatives will consequently almost always receive their visas faster than those of family preference relatives.
Family preference visas are open to both U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. However, only a limited amount of family preference visas is issued each year, meaning your loved one will likely need to endure an additional waiting period until a visa slot becomes available.
The waiting period can last multiple years if the backlog is especially large. Note that lawful permanent residents can only sponsor their spouses, unmarried children under the age of 21, and adopted children.
If they wish to sponsor their parents, siblings, or adult children, they will need to wait until they are U.S. citizens. Additionally, there are limitations on what types of family members can be sponsored, even if you are a U.S. citizen. Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and grandchildren cannot be directly sponsored by a citizen or lawful permanent resident.
Our attorneys specialize in family law and have years of experience handling a wide range of cases, including divorce, child custody, adoption, and more. We stay up-to-date with the latest laws and regulations to ensure that our clients receive the best possible representation.
We believe that every client is unique, and their legal needs require personalized attention. Our team takes the time to understand your specific situation and goals, tailoring our legal strategies to achieve the best outcome for you and your family.
We are dedicated advocates for our clients and will fight tirelessly to protect their rights and interests. Whether negotiating a settlement or representing you in court, we will work diligently to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
We understand the emotional toll that family law matters can take on individuals and families. Our team provides compassionate support and guidance throughout the legal process, helping you navigate through challenging times with empathy and understanding.
We believe in open and transparent communication with our clients. Our attorneys will keep you informed about the progress of your case, explain complex legal concepts in a clear and understandable manner, and promptly respond to any questions or concerns you may have.
If you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who marries a foreign national, you will likely want to bring your new spouse to the United States as quickly as possible. Getting them the status that they need to live and work in the country indefinitely will require obtaining a green card through the marriage visa process.
Because the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is perpetually suspicious of marriage fraud, obtaining a marriage-based green card can sometimes be especially challenging, especially for newer marriages.
Our Orlando marriage visa lawyers at Angel Law Firm, can give you the legal guidance that you need throughout the petitioning process. We can help you avoid common application mistakes, gather the necessary evidence of your marriage, and prepare you for your interview with USCIS.
If you are looking to sponsor your spouse for a marriage-based green card, contact us online or call (407) 329-7711 to discuss your legal options.
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After submitting Form I-130, you may receive a “Request for Evidence” from USCIS. This can occur if there was an omission in the original petition packet or if the agency is not satisfied with the amount of evidence provided. We can help you avoid responding to one of these requirements and avoid other common application errors.
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Next comes a lengthy waiting period, the extent of which will depend on whether the sponsoring relative is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. U.S. citizens can sponsor their spouses through the “immediate relatives” category, which has no annual cap and consequently enjoys faster processing times.
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Lawful permanent residents must sponsor their spouses through the family preference category, which does institute an annual cap. This means you must wait for a visa to become available after your petition has been processed by USCIS.
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Once USCIS approves your petition and a visa becomes available, your spouse will need to formally apply for their green card through either adjustment of status or consular processing. Adjustment of status is used if they are already in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa, while consular processing is completed through a U.S. embassy abroad.
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Both adjustments of status and consular processing involve submitting additional documentation, application materials, and identifying information. This will include submitting to a medical exam by a USCIS-approved doctor.
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Finally, your spouse will need to participate in an in-person interview conducted by a USCIS official. If your spouse is abroad, this interview will take place in their home country’s U.S. embassy or consulate, and you will not attend. Should your spouse already be in the United States, you will attend the interview with them at your local USCIS office. The interview is meant to ensure that your marriage is not fraudulent and will involve reviewing your application materials.
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If the USCIS official conducting your interview is satisfied, your spouse’s green card will be approved and promptly issued via mail. Our Orlando marriage visa lawyers can guide you through each step of the process and work with you to overcome any obstacles that you might encounter.
Our attorneys and staff speak both English and Spanish. We will speak to you in whichever language you are most comfortable with to ensure smooth communication. Get in touch with us today to get started.
A U.S. citizen can petition for their spouse, children (married or unmarried), parents, and siblings.
A lawful permanent resident can petition for their spouse and unmarried children. They cannot petition for parents or siblings.
The processing time varies depending on the relationship, the petitioner’s immigration status, and the visa category. Immediate relatives (spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens) have faster processing times, while preference categories may take years.
If you applied for adjustment of status (Form I-485) inside the U.S., you can apply for a work permit (Form I-765) while waiting for your green card. If you are outside the U.S., you must wait until you receive your immigrant visa.
You need to apply for Advance Parole (Form I-131) before traveling. If you leave without it, your application may be considered abandoned.
Consular processing occurs when the beneficiary applies for a visa at a U.S. consulate abroad. Adjustment of status happens when the beneficiary applies for a green card while inside the U.S.
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