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Applying for a family-based visa to immigrate to the United States can be a lengthy and complex process. Approval can take anywhere from months to years, depending on whether or not the applicant is an immediate relative of the family member who is sponsoring them.

If you have questions about Wheaton family visa application tracking, an immigration attorney could help you. A knowledgeable lawyer can answer your questions about different types of family visas and the application process in general.

Types of Family Visas in Wheaton

There are two primary categories of family visas that immigrants can apply for. The first is reserved for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens. To qualify for an Immediate Relative family visa, the applicant must be married to a resident or be the single child (20 or younger) or parent of a U.S. citizen who is no younger than 21. Orphans adopted by citizens can apply for this visa too.

Individuals seeking family visas who do not fall into these categories are classified as Family Preference applicants. Siblings of a U.S. citizen or green card holder would be considered Family Preference applicants, for example.

The Process to Apply for a Family Visa

The family visa application tracking time in Wheaton largely depends on whether or not someone is seeking an Immediate Relative or Family Preference visa. An immigration case for either type of visa begins when the person bringing their family member into the country submits Form I-130 to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Form I-130

Form I-130 is a petition to sponsor a family member’s relocation to the U.S. The form must be accompanied by documentation detailing the family connection between the sponsor and the applicant, as well as validation that the sponsor is a legal permanent resident or U.S. citizen. If USCIS grants the petition, and the immigrant is seeking an Immediate Relative family visa, they can proceed with applying for a green card right away.

An applicant tracking their Immediate Relative family visa case may be able to get their green card in a matter of months upon approval of their Form I-130 petition. Certain applicants may also be eligible to expedite the wait time to secure legal permanent residency, known as one-step adjustment. With a one-step adjustment, an immigrant applying for an Immediate Relative family visa does not have to wait for their Form I-130 petition to be granted to apply for a green card.

If the applicant is in the Family Preference category, it may be some years before they can secure a green card. There is a mandated limit on how many Family Preference visas are issued per year in the U.S., whereas no limit applies to Immediate Relative family visas.

Talk with a Wheaton Immigration Attorney About Applying for a Family Visa

If you are interested in sponsoring your relative for a family visa or are the relative of a U.S. citizen or green card holder wishing to pursue family-based immigration, the best next step would be to speak with a lawyer.

A local attorney could explain the Wheaton family visa application tracking process and help you submit a well-supported petition and avoid common errors in your application that could adversely affect the outcome of your immigration case. Call now to request your case consultation.

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