Find a Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Philadelphia

Philadelphia visa help for your loved ones

U.S. citizens and permanent residents have the right to apply for their relatives to receive green cards. However the constantly-changing procedures and complex system make petitioning the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) more difficult than ever. One mistake can trigger frustrating delays or separation — sometimes permanent — from your loved ones. Experienced immigration lawyers can help you get a visa in Philadelphia for your family members who live abroad or in the United States.

Get help with your immediate relative petitions

Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens can file their petitions and adjustment of status applications concurrently — and thus substantially expedite the process. In addition, Philadelphia visa lawyers are often able to keep families together during the IR application process. Immediate relative categories are:

• IR-1 — Spouses of U.S. citizens
• IR-2 — Unmarried children who are under 21 years old of U.S. citizen parents
• IR-3 — Orphans adopted abroad by U.S. citizen parents
• IR-4 — Orphans adopted within the United States by U.S. citizen parents
• IR-5 — Parents of U.S. citizen children who are at least 21 years old

Fiancés and fiancées of U.S. citizens can apply for a special nonimmigrant visa that allows them to enter the United States to marry within 90 days of arrival. The spouse is then eligible to apply for a green card as an immediate relative.

Learn more about family preference categories

Only immediate relatives have unlimited visas available. Other family categories are subject to yearly statutory allotments. Preference categories are:

• First preference — U.S. citizens’ unmarried adult children and the beneficiaries’ minor children
• Second preference — Permanent residents’ spouses, minor children and unmarried adult children
• Third preference — U.S. citizens’ married children and the beneficiaries’ spouses and children
• Fourth preference — U.S. citizens’ siblings and the beneficiaries’ spouses and minor children

The date an application is filed with USCIS is called the priority date. As published in the State Department’s visa bulletin, a visa is issued when the priority date becomes current.

Contact an immigration attorney in Philadelphia for a free consultation

Call 267-244-1683 or use the online contact form for assistance with your immigration case from a qualified lawyer near you.