Family-Based Immigration Consultation
For families where a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident wants to petition for a relative to immigrate — explained clearly, before you commit to anything.
This consultation may be a fit if:
You're a U.S. citizen who wants to petition for your spouse, an unmarried child under 21, or a parent — the immediate relative category, which has no annual numerical limit.
You're a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident petitioning for another qualifying relative under the family preference categories, which are subject to annual limits and category-based waiting periods.
A family-based petition on your behalf is already pending or approved, and you have questions about adjustment of status or consular processing.
You're not yet sure which category fits your situation, and want it explained clearly before deciding how to proceed.
What this consultation covers
- Reviewing your family relationship and which case category applies
- Walking through the Form I-130 petition process, in plain terms
- Explaining how adjustment of status and consular processing differ
- Outlining the role of the Affidavit of Support and what it asks of a sponsor
- Answering your specific questions before you decide how to move forward
How long does this take?
Processing time varies by category, service center, and individual case — and can change as policy and caseloads change. We won't quote a fixed timeline here. During a real consultation, you'd receive a realistic range based on your specific situation, not a generic promise.
Materials checklist preview
- Proof of the qualifying family relationship (e.g., birth or marriage certificate)
- Proof of the petitioner's U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status
- Identity documents for both petitioner and beneficiary
- Financial documentation supporting the Affidavit of Support
- Any category-specific supplemental forms
Your specific, complete checklist would be confirmed after a consultation reviewing your exact case — this list is illustrative, not exhaustive.
Family immigration FAQ
Immediate relatives (spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens) have no annual cap on visas. Family preference categories — covering other relatives, including those sponsored by lawful permanent residents — are subject to yearly limits, which is why wait times vary by category and country of origin.
Sometimes. When the relative is already in the U.S. and a visa is immediately available, the petition (Form I-130) and the adjustment of status application (Form I-485) can often be filed together. Whether that applies to you depends on category and circumstances — something we'd confirm in a consultation.
They would typically go through consular processing instead of adjustment of status — a different path with its own steps, handled through a U.S. embassy or consulate. We'd walk you through what that looks like for your case.
The next step depends on category and where your relative is located — either moving forward with adjustment of status in the U.S., or consular processing abroad. Immediate relatives generally move forward right away; family preference cases may need to wait for a visa to become available first.
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