You have built a life in the United States. But part of your heart is still somewhere else, with the family members you left behind. The U.S. immigration system does have a way for you to bring them here, but the process takes time, patience, and careful preparation. A family visa lawyer in Raleigh can help move your case forward without unnecessary delays.
The rules around family visas can be confusing. Not every family relationship qualifies, and the process looks different depending on whether you are a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident. Even small mistakes on your application can push your case back by months.
Mendoza Law has been helping families come together in the United States since 2016. We have served over 100,000 clients, and our team brings over a hundred years of combined experience to every case. If you need a Raleigh immigration lawyer who understands how much this means to you and will fight to make it happen, call us today.
Who Can You Bring to the United States?
The answer depends on your immigration status. Here is a simple breakdown:
If you are a U.S. citizen, you can petition for:
| If you are a lawful permanent resident, meaning you have a green card, you can petition for:
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The closer the relationship, the faster the process tends to be. Spouses and young children of U.S. citizens are called immediate relatives, and their cases are processed faster because there is no annual limit on how many visas are given out in this category.
A Raleigh family visa lawyer can tell you exactly which category your family member falls into and what that means for your timeline.
The Petition
The first step in bringing a family member to the U.S. is filing a petition. A petition is a formal request to the U.S. government asking them to recognize your family relationship and begin the process of issuing a visa. The form used for this is called Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. Here is what you need to include:
- Proof that you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Proof of your relationship with the family member, such as a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or adoption papers
- Basic information about both you and your family member
Filing this form correctly is very important. Errors or missing information can cause delays right from the start. A family visa attorney in Raleigh from Mendoza Law will make sure your petition is complete and accurate before it is submitted.
After the Petition
Once the petition is approved, the next steps depend on where your family member is and what their situation is.
If Your Family Member Is Outside the U.S.
Their case will be sent to the National Visa Center. The National Visa Center is a government office that collects documents and prepares cases before they go to a U.S. embassy or consulate. Your family member will then attend an interview at the embassy or consulate in their home country. If the visa is approved, they can travel to the United States.
If Your Family Member Is Already in The U.S.
In some cases, your family member may be able to apply for a green card without leaving the country. This is called adjustment of status. It means changing their immigration status from temporary to permanent while staying in the U.S.
Either way, having a Raleigh family visa lawyer by your side means you always know what is happening with your case and what comes next.
The Financial Requirement
One thing that surprises many people is the financial requirement. When you petition for a family member, the U.S. government wants to make sure that person will not need financial support from the government after they arrive.
To show this, you have to file a form called an Affidavit of Support. An Affidavit of Support is a legal document where you promise to financially support your family member. To qualify, your income generally needs to be at least 125 percent of the federal poverty level for your household size.
If your income is not high enough, you may be able to use a joint sponsor. A joint sponsor is another person who agrees to share the financial responsibility with you.
This requirement catches a lot of people off guard. At Mendoza Law, we make sure you understand it early so it does not slow down your case later.
Why Cases Get Delayed
Family visa cases can take a long time even when everything is done correctly. But some things make them take even longer. Common causes of delays include errors or missing information on forms, not having the right documents ready, and problems at the consular interview such as concerns about whether the relationship is genuine.
High demand in certain visa categories can also add significant wait time, especially for people from countries like Mexico, the Philippines, India, and China.
The good news is that most of these delays are avoidable with the right preparation. At Mendoza Law, we go through every document, every form, and every detail before anything is submitted so your case has the strongest possible start.
Let Mendoza Law Help You Reunite Your Family
Every day apart is a day too many. We know that the visa process can feel slow, confusing, and out of your control. That is exactly why having the right legal team matters.
When we take on your case, we are fully committed to seeing it through. We will review your situation, tell you what your options are, and build a clear plan for moving forward. Your family has waited long enough.
Contact a family visa lawyer in Raleigh at Mendoza Law today for a free case review.