Rockville Family-Based Immigration Lawyers

Attorneys Helping With Family Visas in Rockville, MD

The United States provides multiple options for immigrants who wish to reunite with their loved ones and build lives together in the U.S. Certain family members can provide sponsorship for immigration, helping their loved ones obtain visas and Green Cards that will allow for permanent residence in the United States. At Salvado Law Offices, we work with families to ensure that they understand their options for immigration. We can help prepare and submit applications and supporting documentation while also addressing any concerns that may arise during these cases. We can also help immigrants take steps to become U.S. citizens through naturalization.

Immediate Relative Visas

For many people, Immediate Relative visas provide the ideal method for immigration, since they can be obtained quickly, with no limits on the number of people who may receive authorization to enter the U.S. or receive Green Cards. These visas are available to close family members of U.S. citizens.

Eligible Immediate Relatives

• Spouses of U.S. citizens: Foreign-born spouses may receive sponsorship Green Cards. This category also includes same-sex spouses.
• Unmarried minor children U.S. citizens: U.S. citizens can provide sponsorship for children who are under the age of 21.
• Parents of U.S. citizens: U.S. citizens aged 21 or older can sponsor their parents for Green Cards.

The U.S. citizen sponsor must file Form I-130, which will establish the relationship with the qualifying immigrant. After approval, the immigrant may apply for Adjustment of Status by filing Form I-485, or if they are outside the United States, they may go through consular processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Family Preference Visas

More distant relatives of U.S. citizens and certain relatives of lawful permanent residents may be eligible for visas that will allow them to become permanent residents of the United States. Family Preference visas are subject to annual numerical limits, and wait times will typically be required that may be based on the category of visa and the applicant's country of origin.

Eligible Family Members

• F1: Unmarried children of U.S. citizens, as long as the children are unmarried and over the age of 21.
• F2A: Spouses of lawful permanent residents and minor children who are unmarried and under the age of 21.
• F2B: Adult children of lawful permanent residents, as long as the children are unmarried and over the age of 21.
• F3: Married children of U.S. citizens.
• F4: Brothers or sisters of U.S. citizens, if the U.S. citizen is 21 or older.

As when applying for an Immediate Relative visa, the sponsor must file Form I-130. After approval of the I-130 petition, the relative will be placed in the appropriate category. They must wait for their priority date to become current, as listed in the Visa Bulletin, before proceeding with Adjustment of Status or consular processing.

K-1 Fiancé(e) Visas

With a K-1 visa, a U.S. citizen can provide sponsorship for their foreign-born fiancé(e) for the purpose of getting married in the United States. After receiving approval for a K-1 visa, the fiancé(e) will be allowed to enter the U.S., and they must get married to the U.S. citizen within 90 days. To be eligible, both the U.S. citizen and the foreign fiancé(e) must be free to become legally married, and they typically must have met each other in person at some point within two years before applying for a K-1 visa.

The U.S. citizen sponsor must file Form I-129F, to establish the relationship and the couple's intent to marry. The foreign fiancé(e) will attend an interview at a U.S. consulate or embassy. After a K-1 visa is issued, the foreign fiancé(e) may enter the United States. After the couple becomes legally married, they may apply for Adjustment of Status by filing Form I-485. Upon approval, a conditional Green Card will be issued to the foreign spouse. This Green Card will expire after two years, and before it expires, the couple must apply for a permanent Green Card.

Contact Our Rockville, MD Family Immigration Lawyers

The experienced attorneys at Salvado Law Offices can help families understand their options for applying for visas and Green Cards. We can provide guidance on eligibility for different types of visas, and we can ensure that applications are submitted correctly. With our help, families can address any issues that may affect a person's immigration status, and they can resolve legal concerns effectively to ensure that they will be able to live together in the United States. To schedule an initial consultation, contact us at 301-933-1814 and take the first step toward reuniting with your loved ones. Our dedicated team in Rockville, Maryland is ready to assist you, and we can also address immigration issues from our office in Falls Church, Virginia.