Family Based Immigration

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Family Based Immigration Attorney In Franklin Square, New York

How Can I Bring My Family Members To The United States?

As a U.S. citizen or green card holder, you have the power to bring eligible family members to the U.S. To achieve this, they need to apply for a family-based immigrant visa, allowing them to become lawful permanent residents.  The process involves the U.S. citizen or permanent resident petitioner filing a petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of their relative.


The first step in this process is determining which family members are eligible for an immigrant visa. Immediate relatives, including spouses, unmarried children under 21 years old, and parents of U.S. citizens are given preference and do not have to wait for a visa number to become available. Other family members fall into preference categories and may have to wait for a visa number based on their relationship to the petitioner and their country of origin.


Once the eligibility is established, the petition must be submitted along with supporting documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and proof of legal status in the United States. The petitioner must also pay the necessary fees and submit a signed affidavit of support showing that they are financially capable of supporting their relative.


Joseph Urso, a dedicated Immigration Law attorney in New York, is committed to helping you and your loved ones navigate this process. He'll guide you in collecting all necessary documents and completing all required paperwork for the visa application. His goal is to simplify the process, giving you peace of mind and aiding you in reuniting your family here in the U.S.

Call Joseph Urso, Esquire at to 516-715-3570 to schedule a consultation with a lawyer today.

Which Family Members Are Eligible to Apply for a Green Card?

Two types of family members are eligible to apply for immigration under the guidance of Joseph Urso: immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and a broader category, known as “preference relatives.” In immigration law, immediate relatives are defined as the spouse, unmarried minor children, and parents of U.S. citizens, given the U.S. citizen is 21 years old or older. Preference relatives’ qualifications are more nuanced and incorporate four levels. The greatest preference is assigned to adult unmarried children of U.S. citizens, followed by spouses and unmarried children of lawful permanent residents. The third preference category includes married children of U.S. citizens, and then siblings of U.S. citizens, assuming the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old. Fiancés of U.S. citizens are also eligible for a special visa (link to fiancé visa page), with a similar status as immediate relatives, provided they marry within 90 days of arrival. If you are looking to accelerate the process, having the right legal counsel like Joseph Urso, who can ensure that all aspects are meticulously handled, is invaluable. Reach out to set up your appointment with Mr. Urso in New York today.

How Long Will My Family Members Need to Wait?

Immediate relatives have the opportunity to apply for a visa without delay, while preference relatives typically need to wait due to the U.S. capping the number of immigrant visas for each country. It’s absolutely vital for your preference relatives to submit their petitions promptly, as the USCIS operates on a first-come, first-serve basis. This means that the sooner your petition is received, the higher up on the waitlist your relative will be placed.


There are four preference categories for family-based immigration: F1, F2A, F2B, and F3. The F1 category includes unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens, while the F2A category includes spouses and unmarried children under 21 of permanent residents. The F2B category covers unmarried adult children of permanent residents.


The longest wait times are typically seen in the F3 and F4 categories. The F3 category includes married adult children of U.S. citizens, while the F4 category includes siblings of U.S. citizens.

 

In countries with a high volume of immigrant visa applications to the U.S., the waiting period can be significantly long, sometimes even extending into multiple years before you can enter the U.S. Joseph Urso, a seasoned practitioner in Immigration Law in New York, can help initiate this process. Get in touch with Joseph today.

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