Family-Based Immigration

Overview

The family immigration process is easier with an attorney

The period for the approval of an immigration petition generally takes around six months, but the complete process of bringing your relative to the United States can take around one year.  

Many immigrants want to live and work as a citizen or permanent resident in the United States, and various applicants plan to bring their families with them and settle in the country. The laws are different for family immigrant applications than they are for other types of immigration applications. The easiest way to get the visa is through family sponsorship, which can be a daunting process. An immigration attorney can help make the process easier.

Choose an experienced Family Immigration Attorney Seattle has to offer who can use their extensive knowledge in your favor. They can help with complex issues like US family visa matters, settlement status, registration, deportation issues, and more.

Family Immigration Visas

Family immigration has many positive impacts on an individual, their business, and community development. Many immigrants who have come to the US via family-based immigration have enjoyed great success in the US. For example, the self-employment rate for brothers and sisters of US citizens who immigrate via the Family Fourth Preference Visa is high.

There are many issues that can hinder the process of getting family visas. This is where an attorney can be a great help. A lawyer who knows the ins and out of immigration law can be a great help to you and your family. It is important that the person you choose to stand by your side is a reputed attorney that people trust.

The two types of family visas under US law:

1. Immediate Relative Immigrant Visas (Unlimited) 

These visas are based on a close family relationship with a US citizen. If they are closely related, they can come on an Immediate Relative visa. The immigrants in this category are not capped annually. Immigrants in this category may include:

• IR-1: The spouse of US citizen
• IR-2: Child of US citizen who is unmarried and under the age of twenty-one
• IR-3: An orphan adopted by the US citizen outside the country
• IR-4: Orphan to be adopted inside the US by a US permanent citizen
• IR-5: Parent of the US citizen who is at least 21 years of age

If you are a close relative and want to proceed with the application, you should speak to a family immigration attorney in Seattle. They will help you determine whether you fulfil the eligibility criteria. Your attorney will assist you with the application and help you navigate the entire process. Contact our professionals and get started with your application procedure.  

2. Family preference immigrant visas (Limited)

As mentioned, these types of visas are limited in nature. They are specifically for those with distant family relationships to US citizens. Only the relations mentioned under Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) will be granted with a visa as per these criteria. There are annual caps on family preference immigrant visas. The four family categories under this type are as follows:

• Family first preference (F1): Unmarried children who are over 21 of US citizens, along with their minor children, if any.
• Family second preference (F2): Spouses, children 21 or under, and unmarried children 21 or over of US Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs). Preference for visas for LPRs will go to a spouse and children under 21, and only the small remaining portion is allocated to unmarried sons and daughters over 21. If you belong to this category, you can choose our Family Immigration Lawyer Seattle services to apply further and inquire about eligibility.
• Family third preference (F3): Married children of U.S. citizens along with their spouses and minor children, if any.
• Family fourth preference (F4): The fourth and last category includes brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens; along with their spouses and minor children. This, however, can only apply to a US citizen who is 21 or older. Only then will siblings be eligible under this category.

There is no family preference for the following relatives:

• Aunts
• Uncles
• Grandparents
• In-laws
• Cousins

Your medical condition can also prevent you from getting the visa. If you have a communicable disease, your application will be rejected. There are various criteria that you must fulfill to get an immigration visa.

Speak to an Immigration Family Lawyer to determine which category you belong to. A US citizen and US Lawful Permanent Resident can file an immigrant visa petition for different family members. Legal advice from a family immigration lawyer can be valuable in deciding how to go about the application process and which steps to take next.

Lawyers understand the nuances of immigration law and deal with family immigration cases often. They are aware of what will be approved and the lack of points that may lead to a rejection of a visa petition. Therefore, it is crucial to take the help of an experienced and qualified family immigration lawyer to navigate through the procedure.

The laws and eligibility criteria are completely different for children.

Eligibility criteria for children who are under the age of twenty-one are very different from criteria that may apply to other family members. The standards are also different if you have divorced a spouse and are marrying another US-citizen spouse. You are likely to face more challenges in more complicated situations like this. Therefore, having legal support will help you in navigating any issues that might come up. 

As per the situation described above, your lawyer can assist you in proving that your marriage was not fraudulent. Your lawyer will choose the best legal solutions for you and will help you take the necessary steps to prove the case in your favor and achieve the best outcome for your family.

When do you need an immigration lawyer?

There are numerous situations where a lawyer can be necessary in an immigration case. Although many applicants consider applying on their own, it can be difficult to know which step to take next in the complicated legal process of immigration. Therefore, it is advised to speak to an experienced and qualified lawyer for your immigration case.

You can always search “family immigration lawyer near me” or ask your references for a referral.

Look for an attorney when

• You cannot figure out your options for immigration visas
• You are an employer and are interested in hiring foreign-born workers
• You are overwhelmed by the paperwork in your immigration case
• You are encountering delays
• You are in immigration court proceedings
• You are determined “inadmissible”

Getting a lawyer is highly advised for those who have been convicted of a crime, because such individuals may face certain bars when applying for immigration. Lawyers are aware of how immigration and criminal laws are interrelated, and they know how to proceed through a case that incorporates both. Therefore, you should consider consulting a family immigration lawyer for advice through the process. 

Attorneys are well-equipped to handle the whole family immigration procedure, from start to finish. They can tell you which family member can apply under which category and condition, as well as how you should proceed if difficulties come up in your case.

Speak to our family immigration lawyers and understand how we can help you with the application. Be it completing paperwork or representing you in the court; our professionals will help you and your family get through this.

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