Family Immigration Attorney
A family immigration attorney is a lawyer whose practice areas significantly involve cases of family-based immigration law. Family-based immigration law is related to the entry of immediate family members of U.S. citizens and permanent residents into the United States via family-based visas.
The beneficiaries of family-based immigration are primarily spouses or minor children of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who wish to lawfully enter and live in the U.S. without restrictions.
Hire a family-based immigration attorney if you’re living in U.S. permanent residence and married to a foreign national and a united states citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S. to help you reunite your family.
Eligibility for Family Immigration
Family immigration allows U.S. citizens and permanent residents to petition for their immigrant relatives and immediate relatives to move to the U.S. For immigration purposes, only certain classes of persons are eligible to receive family-based visas.
Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens
Those with immediate family in the U.S. can get an Immediate Relative (IR) visa as a family immigration visa. This visa doesn’t have annual limits like other family-based visas. Under this category, U.S. citizens can petition for immigrant visas for their immediate relatives who are there:
- Spouses
- Children under the age of 21
- Parents, if the U.S. citizen is over the age of 21
Family Preference Visas
This category of visa is open to the relatives of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. Listed below are the categories of family members eligible to apply for a green card:
- First preference (F1): U.S. citizens’ unmarried sons or daughters who are over 21
- Second preference (F2A): Lawful permanent residents’ spouses and unmarried children under 21
- Second preference (F2B): Lawful permanent residents’ unmarried children over 21
- Third preference (F3): Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
- Fourth preference (F4): Siblings of United States citizens
If you are unsure about the family visa categories and eligibility requirements, you can reach out to Kansas City immigration lawyers for assistance.
STEPS TO APPLY FOR A FAMILY IMMIGRATION VISA
The steps to apply for a family immigration visa can vary depending on the specific visa you are applying for or the country from which an applicant is migrating. However, having the assistance of an experienced family immigration attorney can help you in this stressful process. The steps to apply for a family immigration visa are as follows:
File a petition:
The first step in the process of a family immigration visa is for the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (sponsor) to file a petition on behalf of the foreign national family member (beneficiary). This process can be done by submitting form l-130, Petition for Alien Relative.
A family-based immigration lawyer may help you in filing form l-130, a petition for Alien Relative, ensuring that all information is included and the petition is properly filed.
Pay the Fees
At this stage, the U.S. citizen or sponsor has to pay various fees, including the fee for the l-130 form and the applicable visa fees. Our immigration lawyers help review the form properly filled and help them with any possible issue they may face.
Submitting Supportive Documents
At this stage sponsor and beneficiary have to provide essential documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, and proof of financial documents. An immigration attorney help sponsor and beneficiary gather mandatory documents and check these are properly translated and authenticated if necessary.
Interview
At this stage, the beneficiary has to attend an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate office in their home country. Our immigration lawyer helps beneficiaries understand what kind of question they should expect and help them prepare for interviews.
Wait For A Decision
After applying for the petitioning process, submitting documents and fees, and interviewing the beneficiary, the sponsor and beneficiary have to wait for the decision of their request.
If the petition is denied, our immigration attorney will help by reviewing the denial notice and evidence used to make the decision. They will help you identify the reasons for denying and guide you with the best action you need to take.
HOW AN IMMIGRATION LAWYER CAN HELP
There is a lot of paperwork and documentation involved with family-based visa applications, so it could become complicated for many people to complete. A skilled immigration lawyer can help you avoid common mistakes that could delay your family member’s visa application. A skilled immigration attorney can ensure your documents are properly prepared for official review.
A lawyer can also help you file an appeal if your application was denied for any reason and represent you during the appeal process.
Schedule an appointment with immigration lawyers to get started with the family immigration process.
COST OF HIRING A FAMILY IMMIGRATION LAWYER
Hiring a family immigration lawyer has varying financial implications, depending on the specific services rendered by the lawyer. Lawyers’ fees vary based on factors such as their location, firm size, specialty, complexity, and experience.
Speak with an experienced family immigration lawyer today to get an estimate of how much your legal matter will cost you.
NEED A FAMILY IMMIGRATION LAWYER? SPEAK WITH US AT KC IMMIGRATION LAWYER
Are you going through an immigration procedure? Are you thinking about applying for immigration benefits? Our experienced immigration attorney is ready to help you. Our legal team at K.C. Immigration Lawyers is available to assist those looking to enter the United States legally with their families.
All you need to do is contact us as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation. Get started with your immigration process by setting up an appointment with K.C. Immigration Lawyers today.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I Apply for Family Immigration on My Own?
Yes, you can apply for a family-based immigration visa on your own. However, a lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of U.S. immigration laws and visa applications. Hiring a lawyer makes the process easier, less stressful, and more likely to succeed.
As a U.S. Citizen, Can I Sponsor My Cousin to Relocate to the U.S.?
Unfortunately, family-based immigration visas do not extend to certain family members, including cousins. However, an immigration lawyer can help you explore other legal options that could help you bring your extended family over to the U.S.
