Family Immigration
Family is the foundation of immigration law. Whether you are sponsoring a spouse, a parent, or a child, we guide you through every step with precision and compassion.
Immediate Relative Petitions
U.S. citizens can sponsor their spouse, unmarried children under 21, and parents as immediate relatives — the fastest family-based category with no annual visa cap. Once the I-130 petition is approved and the beneficiary completes either Adjustment of Status (if in the U.S.) or Consular Processing (if abroad), they receive their green card. Typical timelines range from 12 to 24 months depending on the consulate or USCIS field office.
Spousal and Fiancé(e) Visas
If your spouse is abroad, they will enter the U.S. on an immigrant visa (CR-1 or IR-1) obtained through Consular Processing. If you are not yet married, the K-1 fiancé(e) visa allows your partner to enter the U.S. for the purpose of getting married, after which you file for Adjustment of Status to obtain the green card. Both paths require proving your relationship is genuine — something we help you document thoroughly.
Family Preference Categories
Not all family relationships qualify as immediate relatives. Brothers, sisters, adult children, and family members of permanent residents (not citizens) fall into preference categories that are subject to annual numerical limits. This creates waiting lists — sometimes years long. We help you understand your priority date, monitor the Visa Bulletin, and prepare the strongest possible petition so you are ready when your date becomes current.
Adjustment of Status vs. Consular Processing
If your family member is already in the U.S. on a valid visa, they may be eligible to adjust their status to permanent resident without leaving the country. If they are abroad, they must go through Consular Processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Each path has its own procedures, timelines, and risks — we analyze your specific situation and recommend the right approach.
For spouses of U.S. citizens, the process typically takes 12–24 months from filing the I-130 to receiving the green card. For spouses of permanent residents (not citizens), the timeline is longer due to annual caps — currently around 2–3 years.
Possibly, depending on how they entered the U.S. and your immigration status. If they entered with a visa and overstayed, Adjustment of Status may be available. If they entered without inspection (crossed the border without documents), the process is more complex and usually requires Consular Processing and potentially a waiver. Do not assume it's impossible — contact us for a case-specific evaluation.
If you have been married for less than two years when your spouse receives their green card, they receive a 2-year conditional green card. You must file Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions) within the 90-day window before it expires, jointly demonstrating that your marriage is genuine. We handle this filing and the evidence package.
Yes. Parents of U.S. citizens are immediate relatives, meaning there is no visa cap and no waiting list. You must be at least 21 years old to sponsor a parent. The process involves filing an I-130 and then your parent completing either Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing.
