Family Visas Lawyers

Family Visas Lawyers Across the United States

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people apply to bring family members to the United States through immigration. In fiscal year 2023 alone, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services processed over 500,000 family-based immigration petitions. A family visa lawyer helps you manage this process, avoid costly mistakes, and keep your case moving forward.

What Family Visa Law Covers

Family visa law deals with petitions filed by U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to sponsor relatives for immigration. This includes immediate relative visas for spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of adult citizens. It also covers family preference categories for siblings, married children, and other qualifying relatives.

Lawyers in this area handle filings such as Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative), adjustment of status applications, and consular processing cases. They also assist with issues like visa bulletin wait times, requests for evidence, and appeals of denied petitions.

When to Hire a Family Visa Lawyer

• Your petition was denied or you received a Request for Evidence from USCIS
• Your case involves a prior immigration violation, criminal record, or previous deportation
• You need to file a waiver of inadmissibility to overcome bars to entry
• Your spouse or family member is abroad and you're unsure whether to pursue consular processing or adjustment of status
• You're facing long wait times under the family preference system and want to explore alternative options

How the Family Visa Process Works

The sponsoring relative files a Form I-130 with USCIS to establish the qualifying family relationship. Once approved, the beneficiary either applies for adjustment of status within the U.S. or goes through consular processing at an embassy abroad.

Processing times vary widely. Immediate relative petitions can take 12 to 24 months from filing to green card. Family preference categories often involve waits of several years — some sibling categories have backlogs exceeding 20 years depending on the beneficiary's country of birth.

How Immigration Outcomes Are Determined

• Visa category classification determines priority — immediate relatives face no annual cap, while preference categories have limited slots per year
• Country of birth affects wait times due to per-country limits on immigrant visas
• The sponsor must meet income requirements, typically 125% of the federal poverty guidelines, to file an Affidavit of Support
• Admissibility factors like health, criminal history, and prior immigration violations directly affect whether a visa is granted or a waiver is needed
• The strength of documentary evidence proving the bona fide family relationship impacts approval rates

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sponsor a family member if I'm a green card holder, not a citizen?

Yes. Lawful permanent residents can sponsor spouses and unmarried children. However, they cannot sponsor parents or siblings — only U.S. citizens have that option. Green card holders also face longer processing times than citizens in most categories.

What happens if my family visa petition is denied?

You can file a motion to reopen or reconsider with USCIS, or appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals. A lawyer can identify why the denial occurred and determine the strongest path forward. In many cases, submitting stronger evidence or correcting filing errors resolves the issue.