Charlotte Family Immigration Lawyer | Sponsoring Family Members

Charlotte Family Immigration Lawyer.

If you have an immigration visa to enter the U.S. or are already living here, you might be wondering whether you can bring your family with you. In many cases, your spouse and unmarried children under age 21 can immigrate with you. Additionally, depending on your immigration status, your parents, siblings, and older or married children also could be eligible to immigrate.

The rules are complicated, and it is easy to make a preventable mistake that could delay visa processing for months or even years. Thankfully, working with a local immigration attorney could ensure the paperwork and supporting documents you need are complete and free of errors.

A Charlotte family immigration lawyer could explain the rules affecting your specific case so that you have reasonable expectations. They could assist you through every step of the visa application process. En Español

Sponsoring Family Members for Immigration.

Citizens and Green Card holders, also called Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs), can sponsor their family members to join them in the U.S. However, the way they must accomplish this depends on the immigration status of the sponsor and the closeness of the familial relationship.

Generally, a sponsor in the U.S. must file Form I-130, the Petition for Alien Relative, to begin the process. Once the petition is accepted and approved, the family member who wants to immigrate must complete a visa application. Their application must include an Affidavit of Support from the U.S. sponsor.

The Affidavit of Support, Form I-864, obligates the sponsor to meet the immigrant’s financial needs until the immigrant becomes a citizen or receives credit for 40 quarters of work in the U.S. The sponsor must demonstrate that they meet these financial means if they hope to complete this obligation. If their income is insufficient, the sponsor could get a co-sponsor to guarantee the immigrant’s financial needs are met. A Charlotte attorney could help a sponsor complete the Affidavit and compile the supporting documentation necessary to sponsor a family member for immigration.

Family Reunification Visas.

The U.S. offers many categories of visas, but only some are meant for the family members of immigrants to the country. Additionally, there are a limited number of each visa available each year. Applicants in limited categories sometimes must wait years for a visa to become available. However, if a family member is eligible to apply for a category with unlimited visas, they could receive their visa within a relatively short timeframe.

Immediate Family Visas.

Citizens may sponsor their spouse, parents, and unmarried children under 21 to immigrate through the Immediate Family category. The U.S. does not limit the number of visas in this category.

An immediate family visa applicant must complete Form DS-260, submit all the relevant supporting documents, complete a medical evaluation, and provide proof of vaccinations. They then must have an interview with a Consular official in their country of residence. If they are approved for a visa, they may travel to the U.S., but their entry is not guaranteed. An official at the border must approve their entry.

Family Preference Visas.

A set number of Family Preference visas are available each year, and there are limits on the number of visas available to people from certain countries. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) processes Family Preference visa applications in order based on their priority date. When applying for a family preference visa, a foreign national must file Form DS-260 and any supporting documents, pass the medical exam, and complete the in-person interview before USCIS assigns a priority date.

Citizens can sponsor their siblings, married children, and adult children through the Family Preference visa category. Additionally, the spouses of Green Card holders and unmarried children under 21 also gain entry through the Family Preference program.

If you believe that a family preference visa or an immediate family visa might be right immigration option for you or a loved one, you should discuss these options in detail with a skilled Charlotte lawyer.

Speak With a Charlotte Family Immigration Attorney Today.

Immigration laws are complex, and it is easy for you to run into issues if you do not seek advice from a knowledgeable professional. Thankfully, a Charlotte family immigration lawyer understands what could trip you up and could help you understand your options for reaching your goals.

It can take a long time for you or a family member to receive an immigrant visa. Do not risk longer delays by making a preventable error on your application or supporting paperwork. Reach out to a seasoned attorney today to learn more.