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Obtaining a green card or U.S. citizenship through a family member is the most common way of entering the country. Lawful permanent residents and U.S. citizens can sponsor certain family members and invite them into the country. The whole process is broken down into two steps.
The first step involves the filing of the family visa petition by the lawful permanent resident and the second step is the filing of the permanent residence application by the foreign relative. Both steps involve different legal processes and to avoid any delays in it, it is important that the process is followed closely and properly.
Being away from family is hard and with all the complexities of immigration, the situation becomes even harder. Each year, the country doles out a limited number of family preference visas. Because of the limitations and the laws of immigration, the process often calls for patience and commitment, and requires the expertise of a family immigration lawyer.
The process could be hard and difficult but, to be successful, one must keep the end result in mind. Acquiring the visa is not impossible, difficult yes, and with proper legal assistance, you can fast-track the process. A professional family and immigration lawyer can help you with the entire process and guide you.
Family Immigration Lawyers Successfully Unifying Families Throughout Los Angeles
Family based immigration allows the U.S. LPRs and citizens to sponsor and bring their family members into the country. It is the most common type of legal immigration and about two third of the total population of the United States is based on this type of immigration.
The process involves a petitioner, two family members, and a beneficiary. People who are immediate family members or are a part of the family preference category are eligible for the visa. Usually, the process takes a long time due to the limited visas per fiscal year. Our family based immigration lawyers can help make the process easier and your chances of success higher.
Categories of Family Based Immigration Visas
Family based immigration visa is divided into two categories – Immediate Relative and Family Preference.
Immediate Relative –
This type of visa is reserved for the immediate family members of the petitioner. This includes their spouses, kids under the age of 21, and adopted kids. The number of visas for this category is unlimited
Family Preference –
This is a broad category and includes relatives like brothers and sisters and their married kids and more. There is a limited number of visas available for this category and the immigrants may have to wait on the waiting list.
The U.S. citizen can sponsor unlimited immediate family members but the amount of Family Preference visas is limited and the number may change each year. Edith Nazarian is a professional family and immigration lawyer. She commands in-depth knowledge and expertise in the area of immigration law and has helped numerous families reunite over the years.
What are the Steps for Applying for a US Family Visa?
When applying for a US family visa, here are the steps you need to follow:
1. File the Petition
To kick start the sponsorship process, the U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident will mail the petition on USCIS Form I-130 to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The form must accompany the required documents and the petitioner must also prove the relationship with the family member.
2. USCIS Accepts or Rejects the Application
Once USCIS receives the petition, the officers make the decision of accepting or rejecting the request. If the request is accepted, USCIS forwards the application to the National Visa Center (NVC) for further steps. If rejected, the petitioner can file a new petition after knowing what was missing from the application. It’s recommended to hire one of the best immigration lawyers for a family based green card to ensure smooth processing and high chances of approval.
3. Relatives in the Preference Relatives Category Need to Wait
This step is only necessary if you are from the Family Preference category. Relatives in this category are not immediate relatives and are not eligible for immediate permanent residence. The number of Green Cards available for this category is limited and the immigrants join the waiting list and have to wait for a minimum of a year for visa availability.
4. The Immigrant Applies for the Green Card
If the petition has been accepted and the visa is also available, the immigrant applies for a Green Card or permanent residence. The immigrant applies for an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate, outside the US, and once in the country, the immigrant may apply for a Green Card. The immigrant needs to fill out several forms, submit documents and go through the medical examination during the consular processing.
Reasons to Get Legal Help From A Los Angeles Family Immigration Lawyer
Getting a family based immigration or sponsorship may seem a simple process but there are many exceptions and things involved in it. Usually, people are not aware of the complexities and the legal process. In such a case, it is better to consult an experienced family based immigration lawyer than risk rejection.
An experienced attorney knows about all the technicalities involved in the immigration process. Because they have diverse experience working on various cases, they know how to handle your case as well. Therefore, instead of trying to do everything on your own, it is better to work with a professional.
Hire Your Prospective Family Based Immigration Lawyer from Our Firm
No matter whether you are applying for a visa for an immediate relative or for a relative from the Family Preference category, there are equal chances for rejection. Working with a professional family immigration attorney saves you a lot of time and hassle. Edith Nazarian is an expert immigration lawyer and has helped thousands of people get their visas successfully.
So if you’re looking for the best family immigration attorney in Los Angeles, we are sure your search engine is full of queries like, ‘family based immigration lawyer near me.’ Well, we hope to end your search here. Reach out to us at (818) 748-8808 and book your consultation now.
