Immediate Relative Visas in Atlanta

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) prioritizes family visa applications based on the immigration status of the proposed sponsor and the relationship they have with the proposed visa recipient. Highest priority is granted to the immediate relatives of current U.S. citizens. Unlike with other types of family-based immigrant visas, there are no limits placed on how many immediate relatives can be issued a visa each year.

However, because immediate relative visas in Atlanta are in such high demand, it is especially important to make sure your application is as thorough as possible and free of any procedural errors or omissions. Support from an experienced family immigration attorney can be absolutely vital to applying for this type of visa effectively, but in the meantime, there are some basic facts to know about how immediate relative visas work and what the application process will look like.

Who Is Eligible for an Immediate Relative Visa?

There are five categories of immediate relative visas that prospective sponsors in Atlanta can apply for on behalf of the appropriate family member, as listed below:

• IR1 – the sponsor’s current lawful spouse
• IR2 – the sponsor’s unmarried child, provided they are under 21 years old
• IR3 – a child to be adopted by the sponsor in a foreign country
• IR4 – a child without U.S. citizenship to be adopted by the sponsor in the United States
• IR5 – the sponsor’s parent, provided the sponsor is at least 21 years old

These sponsors need to be U.S. citizens and in good standing with the government.

Widows and widowers of U.S. citizens-may be eligible for immigrant visas and Green Cards through different means, as a knowledgeable attorney could further explain. Certain extended family members of U.S. citizens and some immediate relatives of lawful permanent U.S. residents might be eligible for family preference visas, but they are not eligible for immediate relative permits unless they fall into one of the categories listed above.

The Immediate Relative Visa Application Process

Since USCIS makes an unlimited number of immediate relative visas available each year, there is no need to wait for a visa number to become available like there would be when applying for a family preference visa. However, the prospective visa recipient will still need a qualifying family member to serve as their sponsor, and this sponsor will must initiate the visa application process by filing Form I-130.

If the prospective visa recipient is located outside the United States when the application process begins, they will need to go through consular processing at the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy. If the prospective recipient is already in the United States, they may instead be eligible for adjustment of status. Either way, it is worth noting that certain factors listed under 8 U.S. Code §1255, which might otherwise make someone ineligible for a Green Card, may not apply to qualifying applications seeking immediate relative visas in Atlanta, as a knowledgeable legal professional could further explain.

An Atlanta Attorney Could Help Pursue an Immediate Relative Visa

While applying for an immediate relative visa is certainly a simpler and more streamlined process compared to applying for a family preference visa, that does not mean it is easy to get a positive result. Even a small mistake when completing necessary forms or complying with procedural requirements could lead to lengthy delays or a rejected petition.

However, a dedicated lawyer’s guidance can be crucial to efficiently pursuing immediate relative visas in Atlanta. Call today to learn more.