Seeking to enter the U.S. involves interacting with several U.S. federal agencies as part of the immigration process. Government agencies are notoriously difficult to navigate, and the family immigration process is particularly opaque and hard to handle. Consequently, U.S. residents, both citizens and permanent residents, hoping to bring family members into this country on a family visa petition have the best chance of gaining approval by working with a family immigration attorney. The path to a Green Card and the right to remain in this country long-term are initiated by the sponsoring U.S. citizen or permanent resident directly filing a petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) domestically. At the most basic level, family immigrant visa applicants must go through a two-step process before learning if their request will be granted. With multiple steps, having the guidance of a family immigration attorney is key to properly and successfully submitting the initial petition and subsequent application. The Merrillville attorneys at Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC fully understand all the steps in the family visa process and want to help you bring your loved ones here as soon as possible.
Only certain family members are allowed to enter as permanent residents under immigration rules, and extensive disclosure of biographical and employment information must be included by the U.S. sponsor and the foreign applicant. In all cases where a family visa is desired, an initial analysis must be conducted to see if the foreign relative qualifies for admittance under the program. Specifically, U.S. citizens can petition for immediate review and issuance of a family visa for immediate family members (spouses, minor, children, and parents), while permanent residents relatives and more distant relatives of U.S. citizens, must wait for processing according to a preference system. This system regulates how many visas are allowed per year according to the status of the U.S. sponsor and country of origin of the foreign relative. If a sponsoring permanent resident becomes a U.S. citizen during this process, the procedure used to move the petition through the system changes, and may result in shorter wait time.
Assuming the initial analysis shows moving forward is appropriate, the first step to getting a family visa, and before an applicant even has an opportunity to present his/her case to a government official, requires the sponsoring relative to submit a family-based petition (Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative) to the USCIS. The sponsor must be at least 21 years old, produce evidence that he/she can pay for the living expenses of the foreign relative, and show a direct connection to the relative through birth certificates, marriage licenses, etc. Once the petition is accepted, and the application allowed to proceed, the foreign relative will be responsible for submitting documentation establishing his/her identity, medical records, financial statements, and general background.
One of the most overwhelming aspects of this process is the medical exam by a doctor approved by U.S. authorities to administer screenings to potential immigrants into the U.S. This exam is part of the family visa process to ensure that no one with an illness or disease considered to be a public health concern is given permission to enter into the U.S. This is accomplished through a physical exam, blood tests, and x-rays.
Once a visa number opens, the local U.S. Consulate Office will notify the applicant, the petitioner, and any representatives of the time and date scheduled for the visa interview. This stage is where the application process is completed, and involves providing requested forms and documents and attending the mandatory interview. The primary purpose of the consular interview is to verify the information provided in the petition and immigration application and to review the applicant’s medical, criminal, and financial records to ensure he/she is admissible into the U.S.
The family immigration visa process is an important avenue for bringing loved ones into this country for the long-term, but with all the steps involved, it is easy to miss something or provide the wrong information. Working with an experienced immigration attorney is the best way to ensure your loved one has a good chance at approval. Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC focuses on immigration issues and can put this knowledge to use for your family. Call the Merrillville immigration law firm today to schedule an appointment.
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I am incredibly grateful to Mr. Burton for his outstanding legal assistance in my immigration case, from my first consultation he heard me patiently demonstrating exceptional professionalism, expertise, and a genuine commitment to my case. Immigration process can be overwhelming and stressful, but he and his team provided clear guidance every step of the way, always answering my questions promptly and reassuring me with their deep expertise. Thanks to their…
I had an outstanding experience working with Brittni Rivera. From our very first consultation, she demonstrated deep expertise, professionalism, and genuine care for my case. Navigating immigration processes can be incredibly stressful, but Brittni made the entire journey much more manageable and transparent. She were always responsive to my questions, provided clear guidance at every step, and never made me feel like just another case. Thanks to her hard work…
Highly recommend this firm. I had the pleasure of working with Lauren McClure and she is absolutely the best. She was very helpful and walked me through every step of the process, she is patient and she got the job done. I am very grateful with her and her team for helping me with the process of my case. Thank you so much.
I have worked with Kevin Raica for my VAWA application. Let me tell you he has been AMAZING. Unlike other lawyers Kevin has always went above and beyond for me. Kevin is not in it for the money he is in it to HELP people and make a difference. He has walked me through the entire process and always answers any questions I have no matter what. This law firm…
Mr. Burton helped my mother with her case. He was always polite, clear, and always answered my questions in a professional and diligent manner. Our case ran smoothly, and we never ran into any issues. I also want to greatly thank the paralegal that also managed my case, Stephanie Nunez, she was always willing and very helpful with my mother, a genuinely good person. I will forever recommend Justin and…
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Mr. Justin Burton! He is an outstanding specialist in his field and an attorney who quite literally changed our family’s life. Mr. Burton demonstrated a highly professional approach and exceptional dedication to our case. He stands out for his extensive knowledge of immigration law and, beyond that, is a person of great integrity. I can wholeheartedly recommend Mr. Justin Burton and…
I would like to start this review with a big thank you for the immigration lawyer, Nicole Provax, who has done a successful and amazing work on my dad’s case! She was dedicated in walking us through the whole process, keeping excellent communication with us, and despite the little hurdles that came up along the way, she was able to get the case to continue progressing! I’m forever grateful of…
We had the pleasure of having Justin Burton on my parents case. From the moment we reached out, his staff was incredibly welcoming and took the time to really listen to our concerns. We never felt rushed or like just another case, Justin made sure we understood every step of the process and answered all our questions with patience and clarity. What really impressed us was how Justin and staff…
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