If you are a permanent resident or United States citizen with family members living in another country, some of them might qualify for family-based immigration visas. Although uniting family is a primary objective of United States immigration law, there are limitations on which relatives can be petitioned and different preference immigrant categories.
LINK: In addition to traditional family-based visas, other programs apply to persons from specific countries and under certain conditions. For this reason and others, it is essential to consult knowledgeable immigration lawyers in Phoenix, AZ who can help you identify your family-based immigration needs and understand your options.
The Process for a Family-Based Immigration Visa Petition
United States citizens and permanent legal resident petitioners living in the U.S. can file a Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130) with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This petition can be submitted electronically or through the U.S. Postal Service. Our law firm can help individuals file their petitions and guide them through the process.
Filing Petitions Inside the U.S.
U.S. citizens and permanent legal resident sponsors living in the U.S. must file Form I-130 with the USCIS Chicago Lockbox facility, as instructed by this website. Also, U.S. employers must file Form I-140 (Petition for Alien Worker) while following instructions on the USCIS website.
Filing Petitions Outside the U.S.
Although most immigrant Green Card petitions are filed in the U.S., filing certain petitions outside the country is possible. Petitioners living outside the U.S. can file Form I-130 online or by mail to one of the Texas addresses provided on this page.
For a free legal consultation with a family-based immigration lawyer serving Phoenix, call (623) 742-5400
Petition Approval
USCIS must approve an immigrant petition before a case can advance to the National Visa Center (NVC). Navigating the immigration process can be challenging at times, but fortunately, experienced attorneys can help you and your family complete all the steps required to obtain a green card.
During consular processing, it will be determined if you or your family member are eligible to apply for lawful permanent residence (a green card). Most immigrants become eligible via a petition filed on their behalf by a relative or employer. Others gain permanent resident status by first obtaining asylum or refugee status or via other special conditions.
After filing, there is a waiting period for a decision and notification from the NVC. Finally, you will schedule an appointment in which you will notify the agency of any changes. Ultimately, your visa will be granted or denied, and you will receive your green card, if applicable.
Phoenix Family-Based Immigration Lawyer Near Me (623) 742-5400
Length of Application Time
It typically takes between 30-60 days for a visa application to be sent from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to the NVC. The NVC recommends that an applicant wait, at minimum, 60 days from the day of the petition’s approval before contacting to confirm an application’s receipt.
Click to contact our Immigration Attorney in Phoenix, AZ today
Cost of Immigration Applications
Getting help for an immigration application should not be exceedingly expensive, but some costs are associated with it aside from attorney’s fees, which can vary from case to case.
Immigrant visa application processing costs are, at the time of this writing, as shown below, based on the visa category in which one applies. Every green card applicant must pay the application processing fee according to the category they are applying for. The cost for the main petition for a relative, or Form I-130, is $535. You can find other fee schedules here.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Benefits of New Frontier Immigration Law Firm: What We Do
The unfortunate truth about United States immigration is that many prospective immigrants are not clear about everything required of them during the process. This absence of information often becomes an obstacle to getting into the U.S. and staying here lawfully.
The following are several ways you may benefit from hiring New Frontier Immigration Law to represent you throughout this complex area of the legal system:
A Competent Immigration Lawyer Can Forge a Path to Citizenship
Most immigrants hope to take advantage of the American dream and make U.S. citizenship a reality. Our immigration lawyers have obtained in-depth knowledge of the best routes to citizenship and can communicate that wisdom to you or a loved one during each complex step of immigration law.
A Competent Immigration Lawyer Avoids Mistakes
Filing the correct paperwork is an integral part of obtaining a visa and getting a loved one residence in the U.S., among other procedures. The paperwork involved is often comprehensive and complicated, and without the help of a legal professional, there are lots of opportunities for error that may sabotage your entire application permanently.
An experienced immigration lawyer can guide you through the correct process to apply for citizenship, work permits, and marriage licenses without allowing oversights that undermine your chances of getting these crucial documents approved by the relevant parties.
Our Immigration Attorneys Are Experienced
One of the essential benefits of hiring an immigration lawyer is less tangible than the others. However, the help of legal counsel that has experience transforming immigrants’ hopes and dreams into realities cannot be understated. Moreover, it would be invaluable to hire one of our experienced attorneys who has helped many persons in the same position as you are now.
Our Immigration Attorneys Can Navigate Regulations, Petitions, and Permits
Some individuals can navigate the immigration process on their own. Still, there’s a significant chance a petitioner will miss something or make a mistake on one or more of the various applications required. This can tie them up in the complicated legal system or cause them to be rejected outright.
Fortunately, our competent immigration attorneys are experts on all the procedures required to get you and your family where you want to be.
Our Attorneys Can Explain Your Options to You
No matter your circumstances, you have options. Your expert immigration attorney can make sure you understand the full scope of your situation, whether you’re facing deportation or other action. Regardless, your circumstances are likely sensitive and urgent, and you can significantly benefit from being aware of what options are available to you and your family.
In addition to family immigration, the New Frontier Immigration Law firm specializes in the following practice areas, among others:
- Appeals, or an application to the authority that governs the immigration decision.
- Bond, or the fee paid to initiate a detained foreign individual’s release.
- Waivers for entering without permission if you came to the U.S. without appropriate documentation.
- Removal defense or a countermeasure to help if you face removal from the U.S.
- Motions to reopen, or when a person has left the U.S. or will do so soon.
- Naturalization, a multi-step process that includes filing the appropriate paperwork and having an attorney represent you in court.
- U-Visa, a particular type of non-immigrant visa designed specifically for crime victims and their relatives.
Getting Help for Family-Based Immigration
Our attorneys’ in-depth knowledge of immigration law and dedication to helping bring immigrant families together helps set us apart from other law firms. It gives our clients the confidence, guidance, and representation they deserve.
If you need help navigating the often confusing immigration application process, we urge you to contact New Frontier Immigration Law today and discover how we may be able to help you and your family reunite and achieve permanent legal status.
Call or text (623) 742-5400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
