Family Immigration Services
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Sponsoring a Relative for Permanent Residence
We assist eligible relatives of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents in obtaining immigrant visas and green cards, while providing personalised guidance throughout the process so clients can navigate every legal requirement with confidence and clarity.
The I-130 Family-Based Petition
The cornerstone of family-based immigration is the Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. By filing this form, a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident petitioner formally establishes their qualifying relationship with the foreign national beneficiary and requests that USCIS classify the beneficiary for immigrant visa purposes.
The requirements for an I-130 petition vary depending on the relationship. Spouses must provide evidence of a genuine marital relationship — including joint financial documents, shared residential history, photographs, and correspondence. Parents must provide birth certificates establishing parentage.
Siblings require both the petitioner’s and beneficiary’s birth certificates connecting them to a common parent. Our attorneys meticulously prepare each petition, ensuring completeness and accuracy to avoid delays and Requests for Evidence.
Immediate Relatives — No Waiting Period
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens — spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of adult U.S. citizens — proceed without waiting for a visa number to become available. Once the I-130 is approved and any required consular or adjustment of status steps are completed, these beneficiaries can obtain their green cards without being held in a queue.
Preference Categories — Managing the Wait
For all other qualifying relationships, beneficiaries must wait for a visa number to become available in their priority category and country of birth, as tracked monthly in the State Department Visa Bulletin. Our attorneys monitor Visa Bulletin movement, keep clients informed of their place in the queue, and advise on any steps that can be taken during the wait — including filing certain benefit applications early where regulations permit.
Adjustment of Status vs. Consular Processing
Once a visa number is available, a beneficiary who is in the United States may apply for adjustment of status (Form I-485) to obtain the green card without leaving the country. A beneficiary abroad must go through consular processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate, culminating in an immigrant visa interview. Our attorneys advise on the pros and cons of each pathway for each client’s situation and manage the process through to the final approval.
