Family & Marriage Visa Attorneys in New Bern

Reuniting Families in the U.S.

At the E.A. Wood Law Firm, there is nothing we are more passionate about than bringing families together. Helping family members obtain visas for their loved ones is one of our favorite aspects of being immigration attorneys.

We understand how confusing the immigration process can be. With so many rules and requirements in place, it can be difficult to know where to start. Take the first step today by calling our family visa attorneys in New Bern.

We have considerable experience handling all types of family- and marriage-based visa applications and appeals. Whether you are helping a loved one escape persecution through asylum or want to bring your foreign spouse to America, your immigration goals can be achieved with the help of the E.A. Wood Law Firm.

Call us at (800) 611-0821 or contact us online to get started on applying for your family or marriage visa. We serve clients in Craven County and around the world.

Eligibility for Family & Marriage Visas

Family and marriage-based visas require sponsorship from a family member who is already living in the U.S.

To sponsor a family member, you must be:

• A U.S. citizen
• A green card holder (permanent resident)
• A refugee or asylee who was admitted as such within the last two years

Family-Based Visas

When bringing a parent or sibling to live with you, you must be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old. Green card holders cannot petition for their parents or siblings.

When bringing your children to live with you in the U.S., their age and marital status will impact their eligibility.

Permanent residents may petition for:

• Children who are unmarried and under the age of 21
• Unmarried sons and daughters who are over the age of 21 (plus any children of their own)

If you are a U.S. citizen, you may also petition for married sons and daughters of any age, as well as their children.

Marriage-Based Visas

If you are currently married to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you may be able to qualify for a marriage-based green card.

To apply for a marriage visa, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Be married
• Be able to support your spouse in the U.S.

In addition, your spouse must be fully eligible for an immigrant visa. This means they have obeyed immigration laws regarding legal entry and visa stay limits. However, while immigration legal violations can lead to complications, they can be waived with additional assistance.

Green Cards for Spouses of U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents

The spouse of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident is automatically classified as an "immediate relative." As with family-based visas, this means a foreign-national spouse can become a permanent resident without needing to wait for a visa to open up.

To bring over their spouse, the citizen must submit Form I-130. If the spouse already entered the country legally, the citizen can file Form I-485 for an adjustment of status.

Currently, it takes roughly 14-28 months to get a marriage-based green card if you are married to a U.S. citizen. Due to high demand, it may take a little longer - up to 36 months - if your spouse is a permanent resident.

If the citizen and their spouse have been married for less than two years, the issued green card will be a conditional green card, with a 2-year time limit. The couple can receive a regular 10-year green card by submitting Form I-751 within 90 days of the 2-year card expiring to remove the conditions.

K-1 Fiancé Visa

If you are engaged but not yet married to a foreign national who is living outside the U.S., you can seek a K-1 fiance(e) visa. This nonimmigrant visa grants your fiancée entrance to the U.S. if you intend to get married within 90 days. Once married, your new spouse may apply for a green card.

To see if you are eligible for any of these family or marriage visas, call our New Bern immigration attorneys at (800) 611-0821 today.