We help families reunite with family-based visas.
Family-based visas allow U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to sponsor certain relatives, so they can receive immigration benefits. This helps families reunite and build their lives together in the U.S. These visas are one of the most common pathways people use to gain lawful permanent residence, and they are designed to keep close family members together whenever possible.
Family-based immigration usually falls into two main categories:
- Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens—This includes spouses, unmarried children under the age of 21, and parents. These family members are not subject to annual visa limits, which allows for faster processing when compared to other categories.
- Family preference—This category allows more distant relatives to come to the U.S. These individuals are subject to yearly caps and may have to wait longer to enter the country, depending on the relationship to the person in the U.S. and the applicant’s country of origin.
To apply for family-based visas, the U.S. citizen or permanent resident must file a petition to establish the qualifying family relationship. After approval, the family member may apply for an immigration visa through a U.S. consulate abroad or adjust their status if they are already in the U.S.
If you live in the Wilmington, North Carolina area, we can help you navigate the process of applying for family-based visas. Contact us at Arenas Immigration Law today to learn more and to set up a consultation with our legal team.