Nationwide Legal Help for Immigrant Preference Visas for Families
Family members of U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents may be able to immigrate to the United States based on their family relationship. Some people may qualify as immediate relatives, such as spouses or minor children of U.S. citizens. Other relatives, such as married adult children or siblings, may receive priority under one of several preference categories. The amount of time involved in obtaining a family-based immigration visa will vary depending on the category a person qualifies for and the unique circumstances of each situation.
At the law firm of Robert Brown LLC our Cleveland immigrant visa lawyers will work closely with you to understand your particular situation. We will ensure that you fully understand all of the options that may be available to you.
Spouses and fiancées may have additional options that are not available to other relatives. We can tell you more about the ability to immigrate based on family relationships. Contact our immigration attorneys online or call 888-861-4414 to schedule a meeting to discuss your situation. With offices in Ohio, Florida and North Carolina, we represent clients throughout the U.S. and around the world.
Types of Preference Categories for Immigrant Visas
There are a number of categories available for family-based relative immigration, including:
- First preference: Unmarried sons and daughters, who are at least 21 years of age, of United States citizens qualify as first preference.
- Second preference: This preference has two subcategories — Category 2A, which applies to spouses and children of U.S. permanent residents, and Category 2B, which applies to unmarried sons and daughters (who are over 21) of U.S. permanent residents.
- Third preference: This applies to married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
- Fourth preference: This applies to adult brothers and sisters (who are over 21) of U.S. citizens.
Unlike the immediate relative visa classifications, the preference visa classifications allow the spouse and children of the person entering the U.S. to enter as well after offering proof of the relationship. Our visa lawyers can provide you with more detailed information to determine whether this may be an option for your family members.
Timely Filing Is Important
Depending on the category that a relative qualifies for, the wait time for an immigrant visa number to become available can vary from immediately to 11 years or more. Many people blame this on processing delays, but it is actually due to visa priority dates. It is important to make a timely filing because your filing date will set the priority date. The attorneys at Robert Brown LLC can explain this complicated process in greater detail and help you avoid long wait times.
Call for a Consultation With an Ohio Immigration Law Lawyer
We work tirelessly to help immigrants and their families successfully obtain visas. Contact our Cleveland immigrant visa attorneys online or call 888-861-4414 to arrange an initial consultation to discuss your situation. With offices in Ohio, Florida and North Carolina, we represent clients throughout the U.S. and around the world.
