Immediate Relative Visas in Tuscaloosa

If you have a close family member who hopes to immigrate into the United States and join you here, you should realize that you likely have options for making this happen. In many situations, your parents, spouse, and unmarried children are eligible for an expedited visa process.

If you wish to sponsor a qualifying family member for a something known as an immediate relative visa in Tuscaloosa, contact a dedicated family immigration attorney. Although the U.S. favors reuniting families, the process of applying for an immediate family permit is complicated, and it makes sense to get professional help.

Qualifying for an Immediate Relative Visa

Only U.S. citizens can sponsor family members for immediate relative visas. According to 8 United States Code §1151(b)2(A), a citizen’s parents, spouse, and unmarried children under age 21 qualify for the immediate relative visa process. If the citizen has a stepchild who was under 18 when the citizen married the child’s parent, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will treat the stepchild as the citizen’s child for immigration purposes.

Similarly, there are some cases where stepparents could qualify for an immediate family visa. However, the citizen acting as a sponsor must have become the person’s stepchild before they turned 18. In other words, if a person immigrated to the U.S. and eventually became a citizen, they could bring their stepparent to the U.S. on an immediate relative visa, but only if the parent married the stepparent before the citizen turned 18. However, if the parent married the stepparent after the citizen’s 18th birthday, the immediate relative visa might not be an option. A Tuscaloosa attorney could evaluate one’s eligibility for an immediate relative visa and recommend the best next steps.

The Immediate Family Visa Application Process

A citizen who wishes to bring an immediate family member to the US must submit Form I-130. It is critical for the citizen to complete the form accurately and ensure that they do not omit any information. USCIS rejects inaccurate and incomplete petitions, so any errors would require an applicant to resubmit.

Similarly, USCIS might reject an immediate relative visa petition if the citizen provides inadequate proof of the family relationship. Obtaining adequate evidence could be challenging, but legal representationq is here to offer guidance.

Rather than submitting an incomplete petition and risking rejection, it makes sense for an immediate relative visa applicant to consult a Tuscaloosa attorney. Our experienced legal team could suggest alternative methods of establishing a relationship if documentary evidence like original birth or marriage certificates are unavailable.

Do Prospective Spouses Count as Immediate Relatives?

It is crucial to understand that if a citizen is engaged to a citizen of another country, the prospective spouse does not count as an immediate family member for the purpose of the immediate family visa. Instead, a citizen who wishes to bring their future spouse to the U.S. must apply for a K1 visa.

If a citizen and someone with a K1 visa marry within 90 days of the visa holder’s arrival in the US, the spouse could apply for a Green Card as an immediate family member. During this process, USCIS will investigate whether the union is valid.

A lawyer in Tuscaloosa could help a spouse who entered on a K1 visa prepare for their immigration interview. These interviews are often needlessly probing, as USCIS is aware that some people engage in sham marriages to establish immediate relative immigration status.

Discuss Immediate Relative Visas in Tuscaloosa with an Attorney

USCIS’ immediate relative visa is, in many ways, the fastest and simplest way to get immigration status for a close family member. However, applying for one can be a complex process with some frustrating roadblocks.

Working with a local immigration attorney could prevent delays in an application for an immediate relative visa in Tuscaloosa. Make an appointment to discuss your specific situation with a knowledgeable professional today.