Family Visas

Florida Family Visa Attorney

One of the basic tenets underlying U.S. immigration law is family unity. Therefore, immigration law offers various types of visas for the relatives of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. Family categories are based on the degree of family relationship. Once a person is classified as a family member in a particular category, the category determines the annual quota and thus the waiting time before the family member can apply for permanent residence.

Proper planning is essential as application for classification as family member may disqualify the foreign relative from obtaining certain visas to the U.S. for many years.

Henning Law can advise and assist you in all types of family visa matters, including:

• Family petitions for spouses, children and parents of U.S. citizens – no quota.
• Family First Preference — Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and their children
• Family Third Preference — Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and their spouses, and children.
• Family Fourth Preference — Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens, and their spouses and children, provided the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years of age
• Family Second Preference (F2 visa) — Spouses, minor children, and unmarried sons and daughters (over age 20) of lawful permanent residents
• Fiancé visas (K-1 visa) — A temporary visa for fiancés and fiancées of U.S. citizens
• Returning Residents (SB visa) — Lawful permanent residents of the U.S. who are returning to live in the U.S. after more than one year abroad

 Note the visa categories are probably important for the search engines.

Green Cards based on Marriage

In addition to filing the necessary papers, we assist U.S. persons and their foreign spouses in gathering the evidence needed to prove the genuine nature of their relationship and prepare couples for the marriage interview.

It is in the process of applying for permanent visas, that people sometimes make mistakes. U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS) officials will conduct an interview to determine if the marriage is genuine and that it was not entered into for purposes of immigration fraud. Sometimes, the married couple can be surprised or taken aback by the questions USCIS asks. We help you understand the process and prepare for a successful interview.

The K-1 Fiancé Visa

The K-1 or fiancé visa is a popular type of family visa for U.S. citizens who are engaged to marry persons who are not U.S. citizens. It enables a U.S. citizen to bring a fiancé or fiancée into the country to meet the family. The marriage must take place within 90 days from the date of entry into the U.S. Following the marriage, the new spouse can apply for a permanent visa.

Henning Law helps you at all stages of the process. We help you obtain a K-1 visa for your fiancé, file the permanent visa application, and prepare you for the USCIS interview.

Our Experience Can Help You Obtain Family Visas

A citizen or permanent resident can always file a family petition to obtain a visa for a family member. However, if the petition lacks the required information, it may delay the issuance of a visa. Worse yet, if it contains information prejudicial to the applicant, the petition may be rejected.

Henning Law has extensive experience in family visa matters. Our knowledge of immigration law and our experience can save you time, effort, and the frustration of dealing with U.S. immigration officials.

One should also consider the consequences of filing an immigrant visa petition for a relative, who has or may want to apply for a temporary visa requiring nonimmigrant intent. In some of the categories, the waits can be many years. It would be a shame if the filing of an immigrant visa petition would make it impossible for your relative to obtain a tourist or student visa during that time.

For a consultation with Henning Law regarding a family visa matter, call 239-596-6020, or contact us online.