Charlotte Family Immigration Attorney

Family Immigration Visas

Our firm can help you to obtain fiancé (e) visas (K-1 visas), visas for the children of fiancées (K-2 visas), visas for foreign spouses and their children (K-3 and K-4 visas), visas for parents and siblings, visas for family members of investors (E-2 visas) and more.

Can one get a green card for a family member?

One who has a green card or one who is a United States citizen, you can petition for an immediate family member to come, live and work legally in the United States. This process is often referred to as partitioning or sponsoring a family member to get their green card. If the family member is already in the U.S. with a non-immigrant visa such as the H1-B, filing a petition for an adjustment of status on their behalf can help them remain in the United States permanently and legally.

In order to be a sponsor or petitioner, the sponsor or petitioner must meet the following criteria:

• You, the sponsor, must be either a United States citizen or a lawful permanent resident (have a green card) of the United States and be able to provide documentation proving your status.

•  You, the sponsor, must prove that you can support your relative at 125 percent above the mandated poverty line. If you cannot show this financial support based on your income alone, you can have a co-sponsor under certain circumstances.

How the process works

The sponsor or petitioner must file a Form I-130 with the U.S.C.I.S..  Once this petition is approved by the USCIS, an immigrant visa must be available before the application can continue. The United States Department of State uses a visa quota system. This system operates by category preferences depending upon the relationship you have with the sponsor. This quota system applies to everyone, whether inside or outside the United States, who is applying for a green card.