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Houston Family Immigration Attorney

Offering Experienced Legal Guidance

If you are a lawful permanent resident or a United States citizen, you can sponsor your family members to come and join you in the United States. Family-based immigration is one of the easiest ways to bring your family members together; however, the process can be complex and often requires help from an experienced attorney. If you need assistance with any part of the immigration process, Aaron G. Christensen, Attorney at Law, PLLC, is here to help.

Whether you’re living in the United States and want to help your family members move here, or you’re outside the country and want to get a family visa, our team is here for you. We have helped countless families stick together regardless of international borders. Our law firm focuses solely on immigration services, and we are dedicated to getting you the outcome you deserve. Call today at 346-423-2375 to schedule your free consultation.

What Relatives Can a United States Citizen Sponsor?

Immigrating to the United States is much easier if you have a family member who is already a citizen. If you are a permanent legal resident, meaning you have a green card, the process is slightly different.

Family members eligible for petition include:

  • Children
  • Siblings
  • Parents
  • Spouses

There are several different types of family visas to choose from. The relationship with your family members and your citizenship status will impact the process and how long it takes.

What Kinds of Family-Based Immigrant Visas Are There?

There are a few different types of visas you can apply for depending on your relationship with your relative. Immediate relative visas are used for eligible immediate family members.

Immediate relative visas include:

  • FB-1 First Preference: For unmarried sons and daughters 21 or older
  • FB-2 Third Preference: For married sons and daughters of any age
  • FB-4 Fourth Preference: For siblings
  • K-1 Finacee Visas: For fiancees of United States citizens
  • K-3 Visas: For spouses of United States citizens

If you are not yet a U.S. citizen, you can still help your family come to the United States. Visas for relatives of lawful permanent residents include:

  • FB-2A Second Preference: For spouses and unmarried children
  • FB-2B Second Preference: For adult children
  • V Visas: For spouses or children

Immediate relative visas have the highest level of preference when approving visas. The number of family-based visas approved each year is limited, and no further visas can be processed once the limit is reached. Any pending visas will be put into a queue for processing at a later time.

How Do You Apply for a Family-Based Green Card?

The process for a family-based green card or visa will vary depending on your relationship and your citizenship status. However, there are some steps that everyone has to take.

The general steps for applying for a family-based green card include:

  • Filing a petition for the immigrant as a sponsor. The petition is filed with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
  • This petition, if approved, will be assigned a case number at the National Visa Center (NVC).
  • The NVC will request documents from the sponsor and the sponsored individual.
  • The NVC will schedule an immigrant visa interview at a U.S. consulate or embassy.
  • The sponsored individual will attend this interview, which will include a background check and a medical exam.
  • If the individual is approved, they can travel to the United States on their immigrant visa and receive their green card in the mail after arrival.

Getting a family-based green card can be a long process, especially if your initial application is denied. Working with an immigration lawyer is the best way to ensure you and your family members can live in the United States together without extreme delays.

What is the Processing Time for a Family-Based Immigrant?

Unfortunately, the processing time for a family-based immigration visa can be seven to ten months or even longer. If the visa limit for the year has already been reached, then the application process will be paused until the next fiscal year.

Processing times depend on several factors, including:

  • The type of familial relationship
  • Whether the sponsor is a U.S. citizen or a green card holder
  • The location from where the visa is applied
  • The applicant’s home country
  • Whether additional evidence is needed by USCIS
  • Whether the sponsor is working with an immigration attorney

Processing time can take much longer if your application materials are incorrect or if you do not respond to requests for information in a timely manner. Our immigration attorney will walk you through the entire process, allowing you to see your family members much faster.

How Can a Family Immigration Lawyer Help Me?

Although family visas are one of the fastest ways to immigrate to the United States, family-based immigration cases are complex. Even small errors in the application process can cause problems and lead to rejections. Working with a law firm that works solely on immigration cases is the best way to close your case quickly and get your family members back together again.

Aaron G. Christensen, Attorney at Law, PLLC, understands how important it is to have your relatives close by. As an experienced immigration attorney, Aaron is confident that he can get you the outcome you deserve. Whether you want to move to the U.S. or you have relatives who’d like to join you in America, our law firm is here to help you every step of the way.

Please don’t feel like you must navigate this overwhelming situation on your own. Call 346-423-2375 to schedule a free consultation.