Houston, Texas Family-Based Immigration Lawyer

The Houston, Texas, family-based immigration lawyer at The Fonseca Law Firm may be able to help you if you want to sponsor family members for family-based immigration. U.S. citizens may be able to sponsor a spouse, a parent, an unmarried child who is over 21 years of age and their children, a married child of any age and their children, or siblings and his or her spouse and children. Permanent residents may also be able to sponsor a spouse or a child under 21 years of age, or an unmarried child over 21 years old. If you are planning to get married, you can also sponsor your fiancé with a fiancé visa.

Under the law, immediate relatives like spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 receive priority, while visas for extended family may take longer to approve. Mistakes in the application process can result in a delayed visa, denial, or even deportation. If you are thinking of applying to sponsor a spouse or family member for family-based immigration, reach out to the Houston, Texas, family based immigration lawyer at The Fonseca Law Firm today. Our family-based immigration lawyer in Houston, Texas, can help you get your application right, assist you with the interview process and other aspects of the application, and stand by your side every step of the way.

How to Bring Your Spouse to Live in the U.S.

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and want to bring your spouse to the U.S., you may be able to sponsor your spouse or fiancé for a Green Card. However, only a U.S. citizen can sponsor their fiancé for a fiancé visa. How you’ll go about sponsoring your spouse will depend on various factors, including whether your spouse currently lives in the U.S. and needs to adjust his or her status, or whether your spouse lives outside of the country. If your spouse or fiancé lives outside the country, you’ll need to submit the appropriate forms and wait until your spouse receives notice from the consulate or embassy in his or her country. If your spouse doesn’t live in the country, you can also apply to receive a K-3 visa, which will allow your spouse or fiancé to live in the U.S. while the green card application is pending.

If your spouse lives in the U.S and she entered the U.S. legally., you’ll submit the appropriate form to adjust his or her status. If you have been married less two years or less when your green card application is approved, your spouse will receive a conditional green card. In order to remove the conditions, you’ll have to submit more documentation and apply to remove conditional status 90 days before the conditional green card expires.

Applying for family-based immigration can be stressful. Getting your application right the first time can prevent delays. The Fonseca Law Firm is a family–based immigration lawyer in Houston, Texas that may be able to help you every step of the way.

What You Need to Know About Family-Based Immigration in Houston, Texas

There are many benefits to sponsoring a family member to immigrate to the U.S. Yet, before you sponsor a loved one, there are some things you should know. Here are some things to keep in mind about family-based immigration in Houston, Texas:

• While some kinds of Green Card categories have limits, there is no cap on family-based green cards for immediate relatives. Immediate relatives include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens. There are caps on green cards available for more distant relatives.
• In order to sponsor a family member for family-based immigration, you’ll need to submit Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative.
• In order to qualify as a sponsor, you must be 18 years old, a citizen of the U.S. or permanent resident, and financially stable.
• Visa applicants must go through a medical exam before the visa is granted.
• If your loved one is already in the U.S., you may want to check to make sure your loved one is eligible to change his or her status through family-based immigration. There are some circumstances where family-based immigration is NOT an option, or situations where applying for a family based visa could cause problems or even begin deportation proceedings. The best way to protect your loved ones from mistakes or issues is to check with a Houston, Texas, family-based immigration lawyer at The Fonseca Law Firm first.
• Receiving a visa can take some time especially if you are applying for family-based immigration for more distant relatives. If you are applying for a fiancé or spouse who lives outside the country, it can also take months before your spouse receives a visa or is eligible to come to the country. The Fonseca Law Firm is a Houston, Texas, family-based immigration lawyer that can review your situation and give you a clearer sense of timelines.

These are just some things to keep in mind if you are thinking of sponsoring a family member. The family-based immigration lawyer in Houston, Texas, at The Fonseca Law Firm is here to help you. Reach out to our attorney today to learn more about your options and the next steps.

Helping You Get a Marriage-Based Green Card: When it Matters Most

If you are getting married to someone who is not a U.S. citizen, and you are a U.S. citizen, you may be able to sponsor your loved one and get him or her a Green Card. Getting married or moving a spouse from another country can be stressful enough. Add to this process the need for a family-based immigration visa, and you can understandably feel overwhelmed. The application process can involve many steps, especially if your loved one lives outside the country.

The family-based immigration lawyer in Houston, Texas at The Fonseca Law Firm can help you navigate the family-based immigration Green Card process. We can take the time to determine whether your family member qualifies, help you submit all applications and documentation, and assist you with preparing for interviews and any other steps. You don’t have to navigate the marriage Green Card process alone. Reach out to the family based immigration lawyer in Houston, Texas at The Fonseca Law Firm today to learn more.