Family Immigration

Family Immigration

With over 28 years of immigration experience, our family immigration attorneys at Vernon & Associates P.C. are dedicated to helping you reunite with your loved ones in the United States.

WHY HIRE VERNON & ASSOCIATES, P.C. FOR FAMILY IMMIGRATION?

If you need to legalize your family’s immigration status, our experienced team at Vernon & Associates will review your situation, determine eligibility solutions, and guide you through the entire process—from paperwork to interviews and beyond.

WHAT IS FAMILY-BASED IMMIGRATION?

Family-based immigration allows you to become a permanent resident of the U.S. through relationships with family members who are also permanent residents or citizens. To start this process, an immigration petition for a family member, also known as a “Beneficiary,” can be filed with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by a “Sponsor.”

The Sponsor can be a:

● U.S. citizen

● Legal permanent resident

U.S. citizens can petition for their:

● Spouse

● Spouse’s child under the age of 21, provided the marriage occurred before the child’s 18th birthday

● Parent (if the son/daughter is over 21 years of age)

● Son or daughter over the age of 21

● Brother or sister

Permanent residents can petition for their:

● Spouse

● Unmarried children

● Spouse’s unmarried children under the age of 21

TYPES OF FAMILY-BASED IMMIGRANT VISAS

The two types of family-based immigrant visas in the U.S. include:

● Immediate Relative Visa: This type of visa is for close family members of a U.S. citizen, such as a spouse, child under 21, or parent. There is no annual limit for this type of visa.

● Family Preference Visa: This visa category has annual limits and is for more distant relatives of a U.S. citizen and specific relationships with lawful permanent residents.

FAMILY PREFERENCE CATEGORIES

Family preference categories include relationships outside the immediate relative category, which allow

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to petition for family immigration.

● F1 (First Preference): Unmarried sons and daughters (21+ years of age) of U.S. citizens

● F2A (Second Preference): Spouses and children (unmarried and under 21 years of age) of lawful permanent residents

● F2B (Second Preference): Unmarried sons and daughters (21+ years of age) of lawful permanent residents

● F3 (Third Preference): Married children of U.S. citizens

● F4 (Fourth Preference): Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens (if the U.S. citizen is 21 years of age or older)

Your preference category will affect the amount of time you must wait until an immigrant visa becomes available. For more information, contact the knowledgeable attorneys at Vernon & Associates.

Speak With an Immigration Lawyer