Family Based Visas Results Oriented, Client Focused

Sherman Oaks Family-Based Visa Attorney

Helping Clients Sponsor Family Members for a Green Cards

If you are a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident but your immediate family member is not, you have the unique ability to “sponsor” them for a special category of green card. These family-based immigrant visas can grant lawful permanent residency to both “preference relatives” and “immediate relatives.”

Navigating the family-based immigrant visa process can be confusing. Our Sherman Oaks family-based visa lawyer Anaida Zadykyan at Zadykyan Law can guide you through each step, identifying options available to you and your family and the most efficient, pragmatic means of seeking your family-based green card.

We can answer all of your questions on family-based immigrant visas. Call (818) 600-6322 or contact us online to request a free consultation. Our services are also available in Russian and Armenian.

Types of Sponsorship Categories

As mentioned above, there are two types of sponsorship categories. Each has its own set of eligibility requirements, quotas, and application timelines.

Immediate relatives are defined as any of the following:

  • Parent of a U.S. citizen
  • Spouse of a U.S. citizen
  • Minor, unmarried children of a U.S. citizen

An unlimited number of immediate relative visas can be issued during any given year, meaning there are no caps or availability waiting periods. Applicants will still have to wait some number of months for United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to process and accept their applications, but otherwise, there should be no arbitrary delays.

Preference relatives are defined as the following:

  • Siblings of a U.S. citizen (if the citizen is at least 21 years-old)
  • Adult, married children of a U.S. citizen
  • Unmarried children of a U.S. lawful permanent resident
  • Spouse of a U.S. lawful permanent resident

Lawful permanent residents, or green card holders, are able to sponsor their spouses and unmarried children but do not receive the “immediate relatives” classification – and the ease and priority that comes with it. Note that many types of family – grandparents, cousins, uncles, aunts – are excluded from either sponsorship category. This is intentional, as U.S. citizens and green card holders are intended to only be able to sponsor their more immediate family members. However, should a citizen sponsor their parents, for example, and they eventually become citizens, the naturalized parent would be able to sponsor their sibling (the original citizen’s aunt or uncle) under the preference relative category. This process is sometimes referred to as “chain migration,” and, despite its politicization, is completely legal and acceptable.

We want to help your loved one get their green card. Dial (818) 600-6322 or contact us online to get started. We speak English, Russian, and Armenian!

Wait Times for Preference Relatives

Only 140,000 green cards are issued to preference relatives in any given year. Often twice as many or more file for sponsorship in that same period, leading to extremely long wait times. The allocation process is somewhat complex, but some categories of relative types get more green cards than others; for example, adult, unmarried children of U.S. citizens get the highest preference, while siblings of U.S. citizens receive the lowest. Additionally, there are caps on visas issued to certain countries, meaning if you are attempting to sponsor a relative from popular countries of origin, like Mexico and the Philippines, you are likely to endure an even longer wait than average.

As of February 2020, applicants faced the following average wait times in each preference relative category:

  • Adult, unmarried children of U.S. citizen (first preference) – 7 years if not from Mexico or the Philippines
  • Spouses or children of U.S. lawful permanent residents (second preference) – presently no substantial wait for spouses and minor children, 6 years for adult unmarried children not from Mexico or the Philippines
  • Married adult children of U.S. citizens (third preference) – 13 years if not from Mexico or the Philippines
  • Siblings of U.S. citizens (fourth preference) – 14 years if not from Mexico, India, or the Philippines
Local Office

5605 Woodman Ave.,
Suite 208
Valley Glen, CA 91401

The Steps for Sponsoring a Loved One

Our Sherman Oaks family-based visa attorney can guide you through each of the steps of sponsoring a family member for their green card. This process can be confusing to those not familiar with immigration law or communicating with USCIS.

We can assist you with preparing and filing Form I-130. Called the Petition for an Alien Relative, the sponsoring citizen or lawful permanent resident must submit this application in most circumstances. This will include copies of numerous documents, including those pertaining to both the identity and status of the sponsor and the relative being sponsored. A genuine familial relationship will have to be established.

In cases with immediate relatives, immigrant relatives may be able to simultaneously apply for their green card, saving time. Those in the preference relatives category will have to wait months or even years for USCIS approval in order to proceed. Any mistakes, errors, or omissions on Form I-130 could lead to your application’s rejection – even if you have waited years for a response from USCIS. That is why it is critical you retain the services of experienced legal representation to help you sponsor your family members. Reach out to our immigration attorney in Sherman Oaks today!

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Let Us Make Family Sponsorship Easier

Sponsoring a family member for a green card is an act of love that unfortunately comes with trying bureaucratic obstacles. At Zadykyan Law, our goal is to simplify the process as much as feasibly possible. We strive to help our clients successfully sponsor their family members, whether they be immediate or preference relatives, as efficiently as we are able. Upon evaluating the details of your goals, our Sherman Oaks family-based visa attorney can advise on best strategies, identify legal tools to speed up the process, and be pragmatic with you about any potential hurdles and wait times you should expect. We are empathetic to the inherent urgency of sponsorship and commit our full resources and individual attention to your case.

Why Hire Zadykyan Law?

  • Individualized Approach

    We take the time to listen, answer your questions and create a tailored strategy to accomplish your goals.

  • Compassionate Representation

    We care about our clients and go the extra mile to ensure every detail is taken care of throughout the process.

  • Affordable & Accessible

    We offer free consultations through phone, video, WhatsApp & Zoom for your convenience and safety.

  • Flexible

    We offer same-day, after-hour, and weekend appointments to meet your busy schedule.

  • Trilingual

    We serve our clients in English, Russian, and Armenian.

Contact Zadykyan Law Today

Creative Strategies for Immigration Issues
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