Charlotte Sibling Visa Lawyer

If you have immigrated to the United States, you likely came to that decision knowing that you may have to make some sacrifices. One of the most significant is the difficulty connecting with your family. This can be especially tough if you are close to your brothers or sisters.

Thankfully, there is a way for you to reconnect with your siblings and have them join you in the United States. Although it is a long and challenging path, you may petition your brothers or sisters to come live with you in the United States as Green Card holders. An experienced Charlotte sibling visa lawyer could provide guidance and advice. The Sussman Law Firm is ready to help you reunite with your family.

Eligibility Requirements

The immediate family, namely the spouse and children, of citizens and Green Card holders are generally eligible to live in the United States. United States immigration law has another category for other relatives, such as a brother or sister, called the family preference visa.

You must be a citizen of the United States and at least 21 years old to file a petition for your brother or sister, and unfortunately, you may not be eligible if you are a Green Card holder. You and your sibling must have at least one common parent between you two for eligibility. This does not mean that stepsiblings, half-siblings, or siblings through adoption are automatically ineligible, you just have to provide additional documentation.

It is also important to remember that family preference visas have limited availability. United States law places a limit on the number of family preference visas it will issue every year. Unfortunately, this means that your sibling may not receive a visa, even if they are eligible.

If you believe your brother or sister is qualified to immigrate to Charlotte, talk about your situation with an attorney. A knowledgeable lawyer could help you determine your eligibility and provide guidance on the steps to bring them over.

Necessary Documentation and Application Procedure

If you and your sibling meet the criteria and want to start the visa process, you must first file a Petition for Alien Relative with the United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS). You must include your birth certificate plus your sibling’s birth certificate to show your common parents. For a stepsibling, half sibling, or a sibling through adoption, copies of marriage certificates or adoption decrees should be included.

The USCIS will review the petition and the supporting documents and if it approves the petition, it will send the case to the National Visa Center (NVC). You can then pay the required fees and submit other necessary documentation, such as the affidavit of support and the immigrant visa application.

The NVC will also schedule interviews with both you and your sibling at an Embassy or Consulate in your sibling’s home country. Your sibling must provide documents of their own and undergo a medical exam prior to this interview. The consulate officer uses the interview to determine if your sibling is qualified to receive an immigrant visa.

Unfortunately, even if you go through this entire process and feel like your sibling is eligible, the NVC may deny your visa petition. Thankfully, you have the right to appeal this decision, but you must file an appeal form and pay the required fees. A dedicated Charlotte immigration attorney could provide representation for you and your brother or sister in the appeal, so you have a chance to reunite.

Get Support From a Charlotte Sibling Visa Attorney

Brothers and sisters can form some of the strongest bonds in the world through their shared experiences. Geographic distance should not interfere with this bond, and a Charlotte sibling visa lawyer could help you reconnect with your family.

The team at the Sussman Law Firm could provide guidance and support throughout the entire process. If you desire to bring your sibling to live in the United States, call the Sussman Law firm to schedule a meeting with a devoted attorney.