A family visa can provide an opportunity for a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR) to bring certain qualifying relatives to the U.S. legally. Talk with a family visa lawyer in Silver Spring if you want to learn about whether this may be an option for you or a family member. Depending on your situation, your attorney may guide you through the family visa application process.
Mendoza Law has a legal team in place with over 100 years of combined experience. Our immigration lawyer in Silver Spring can explain the family visa and whether this may be a viable option for you or a member of your family.
We encourage you to reach out to us for more information about the family visa. Contact us today.
Reasons to Partner With a Lawyer for Your Family Visa Case in Silver Spring, Maryland
Unfortunately, the process to secure a family visa can be long and arduous, particularly for those who choose to apply for one without any help. Thankfully, you have access to legal support from family visa lawyers in Silver Spring.
Some of the ways that your immigration attorney may help you with your family visa case include:
- Providing you with FAQs and other resources about the family visa and what the process to get one entails
- Gathering birth certificates, a marriage certificate, and other forms of evidence to support your case
- Preparing you or a family member for consular or embassy interviews
- Addressing criminal records, prior immigration violations, or other issues that could potentially compromise your visa request
- Representing you or a family member in immigration court proceedings if removal (deportation) becomes an issue
Mendoza Law has served more than 100,000 clients, including those who have gone through the process of applying for a family visa. On top of that, our team has earned many positive client testimonials. We are ready to assist you with your family visa request. To get started, schedule a free family visa case evaluation.
How to Get a Family Visa
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has a standard process for reviewing family visa requests. Your family visa attorney in Silver Spring can discuss this process with you and answer any questions you have.
If warranted, they can walk you through this process, which consists of the following steps:
Submit Your Petition
If you are a U.S. citizen or LPR, you can file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, on behalf of your family member who wants to receive the visa with USCIS. Along with this form, you can provide USCIS with evidence that verifies the relationship between you and this family member.
Wait to Be Approved
Generally, spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens aren’t subject to annual visa caps, which can allow their cases to move more quickly than preference-category ones.
Comparatively, there may be longer wait times for family visas for adult children and siblings of U.S. citizens and the spouses and children of green card holders, as these individuals can fall under capped categories.
File the Visa Application
If you have a relative who’s outside the U.S., they may use consular processing with the Department of State to apply for a family visa. On the other hand, if your relative is in the U.S. legally and a visa is available, they can submit Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, to USCIS.
For immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, some cases may be completed within months, while others can take years. Alternatively, for extended family, the process may require years due to annual visa caps.
Why Will USCIS Deny a Family Visa Request?
Even if you allocate time and resources to your family visa request, USCIS could issue a denial. This can be incredibly frustrating, but remember, your Silver Spring family visa lawyer wants to help you.
At this point, your attorney can get to the root of your denial, which may have occurred for any of these reasons:
- Incomplete or incorrect forms
- Not enough proof of a genuine family relationship
- Failure to meet income requirements
- Lack of a joint sponsor
- Prior immigration violations or a criminal record
If your request for a family visa has been denied, you can file a motion to reopen or reconsider with USCIS, or file an appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) within 30 days of receiving your denial notice.
Our Family Visa Attorneys in Silver Spring Strive to Put Our Clients First
A family visa can help keep you and your loved ones together in the United States. Yet, obtaining this visa can be difficult. With help from a Silver Spring family visa attorney, you or a member of your family can improve your chances of getting your visa request approved.
To the team at Mendoza Law, the fight continues. Our immigration lawyers know the challenges that can arise with family visas. Trust our attorneys to help you overcome any legal problems that come up during the family visa application process.
We are committed to protecting the future of you and your family. To find out more, request a free family visa case consultation.