Boston Family Immigration Attorneys

Helping Clients Navigate Family-Based Immigration

Many relatives of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents may wish to sponsor family members or future spouses to come to the United States. The ability to sponsor a family member depends on several factors, including the legal status of the sponsor and the relationship between the sponsor and the beneficiary.

These details can influence many aspects of the immigration process, such as the waiting period for an immigrant visa, the beneficiary’s eligibility to adjust their status within the U.S., or whether they must complete the process in their home country. Each of these steps requires careful navigation to ensure that applications are filed accurately and that all legal requirements are met.

At Toland Law, LLC, we understand how important family reunification is. For years, we have supported clients in successfully navigating the family immigration process and reuniting with their loved ones. Over time, we have answered countless questions about family immigration, providing clarity and guidance to individuals and families working to achieve their immigration goals. Our family immigration attorneys in Boston take pride in helping families find their path to togetherness while managing the legal complexities that may arise.

Contact our team for more insight on how we can help you!

For information on recent changes to immigration law due to COVID-19, read our blog post here.

Here are some of the most common questions we have received:

• Can I bring my immediate family to the U.S.?
• How can I bring my child or sibling to the U.S.?
• How to gain residency through marriage?
• How to bring your fiancé to America with a K-1 visa?
• What happens after your K-1 visa petition is approved?
• What happens after my fiancé arrives in the U.S?
• After my fiancé and I get married, what happens next?

Family Immigration FAQs

Can I Bring My Immediate Family To The U.S.?

Immigrant visas are readily available with no waiting time for “immediate relatives” of U.S. citizens. So, who is considered an immediate relative? An immediate relative of a U.S. citizen is a spouse or parent who is at least 21 years old, or a child who is under 21 years old.

If the immediate relative entered the U.S. lawfully or was paroled upon proper inspection, the immediate relative will be able to adjust their status within the country. If the immediate relative is outside the U.S. or entered unlawfully, they will have to go through consular processing in their home country.

It is important to note that if the immediate relative entered the country unlawfully and has accrued unlawful presence, which could subject them to a 3 or 10-year time bar from coming back into the U.S., the immediate relative will need a waiver approved before coming back.

How Can I Bring My Child Or Sibling To The U.S.?

U.S. citizens can also sponsor their unmarried children who are under 21, married children of any age, and siblings. Additionally, lawful permanent residents can sponsor their spouse, children under 21, and unmarried sons or daughters who are over 21.

The immigrant visas for these relatives will not be readily available. In fact, after applying to put the beneficiary in line, these types of relatives will usually have to wait a certain number of years before a visa is available.

If a visa is listed as “current,” that means the visa is available, and the person may start consular processing. Almost always, the beneficiary will have to go through the consular process at the U.S. Embassy in their home country. In rare instances, if a relative maintains a lawful presence during their stay within the U.S., then the relative may adjust status within the U.S.

How To Gain Residency Through Marriage?

For U.S. citizens married to a foreign national, the spouse may be eligible for status adjustment within the U.S., depending on how they entered the country. If the spouse entered lawfully and has no inadmissibility issues, they can apply to adjust their status without leaving the U.S. This process involves filing the necessary forms and providing proof of a bona fide marriage. USCIS will schedule an interview to verify the legitimacy of the marriage. If approved, the foreign spouse receives a green card by mail.

If the USCIS officer suspects marriage fraud, the petition will be denied, and the foreign spouse may face a permanent bar from reentry and possible removal proceedings in immigration court.

For U.S. citizens whose foreign spouse entered unlawfully or lives abroad, the spouse must apply through consular processing. This process requires a medical exam, police certificates, and other documents to be submitted to a U.S. embassy in the applicant’s home country. After all requirements are met, the embassy will schedule an interview with the spouse. Upon approval, the spouse receives an immigrant visa, allowing lawful entry to the U.S. as a permanent resident.

How To Bring Your Fiancé To America With A K-1 Visa?

As a United States citizen, you can sponsor your fiancé and request a K-1 visa by filing a petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). However, it is important to note that this process is available only to U.S. citizens, not lawful permanent residents. Filing for a fiancé visa is a significant step in bringing your loved one to the United States and requires careful preparation to ensure success.

After submitting your petition along with the necessary evidence, the USCIS typically takes six to nine months to review and make a decision. During this time, USCIS evaluates whether the petition demonstrates a genuine relationship and intent to marry within 90 days of the fiancé’s entry into the United States. Submitting thorough and convincing evidence is essential to strengthening your case and avoiding delays. This includes documentation proving your relationship, such as photographs, communication records, and evidence of wedding plans.

If sufficient evidence is not provided from the start, USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence (RFE), which could add months to the processing time. Taking the time to provide strong supporting documents at the outset can increase the likelihood of a smoother and more efficient process. At Toland Law, LLC, we guide clients through this complex procedure to help ensure that all requirements are met and that their petition is as compelling as possible.

What Happens After Your K-1 Visa Petition Is Approved?

After the petition is approved, it will be sent to the Department of State to start consular processing. After all of the required documentation is sent to the Department of State, this agency will send the application to the U.S. embassy that is in your fiancé’s jurisdiction.

Once the U.S. embassy has the application and required documentation, they will schedule an interview with your fiancé, which the U.S. citizen petitioner is not required to attend. Your fiancé will have to provide certain documentation to the U.S. Embassy, including a medical examination that was done by a U.S.-approved doctor, a police clearance certificate, and whatever other documents the U.S. Consulate requires.

If all goes well at the interview, the consular officer will approve the K-1 visa application and issue your fiancé the visa, which will be attached to their passport.

What Happens After My Fiancé Arrives In The U.S?

After the K-1 visa is approved, your fiancé will have four (4) months from the time their application was approved at the U.S. Embassy to enter the United States. Once your fiancé is in the country, you and your fiancé have to marry each other within ninety (90) days.

If you and your fiancé do not marry each other, your fiancé has to leave the country within those ninety (90) days or she will be subjected to deportation. You and your fiancé must be 100% sure that you both want to get married within the ninety (90) days or the whole process becomes an absolute waste of time and effort.

After My Fiancé And I Get Married, What Happens Next?

After you and your fiancé marry, your spouse must file for adjustment of status with USCIS to become a lawful permanent resident. While this application is being processed, your spouse can apply for work authorization, allowing them to work in the U.S. while waiting for the adjustment to be approved. This process typically takes six to nine months.

During this time, your spouse may also request advance parole to travel outside the U.S. under specific circumstances. If approved, they can visit their home country without affecting their application. However, if your spouse leaves the U.S. without advance parole, USCIS will consider the adjustment application abandoned, leading to termination of the process.

What Happens Once My Spouse Receives a Green Card?

Once your spouse becomes a lawful permanent resident, he/she will no longer need their work authorization card and may discard it. They will receive their lawful permanent resident card, which is commonly referred to as a “green card“.

Your spouse will be able to work and travel in and out of the country with their permanent resident card. Your spouse will be considered a conditional resident because you and your spouse have been married for less than two years.

Eventually, your spouse will need to remove the conditions on their residency within 90 days of the expiration of their green card. If your spouse does not remove the conditions of their permanent residency, their status as a permanent resident is terminated, and will be at risk of deportation.

Once the conditions are removed, your spouse is no longer a “conditional” resident and can enjoy the benefits of lawful permanent residency for the rest of their life or apply for U.S. citizenship once they are eligible.

Speak With Our Family Immigration Attorneys in Boston Today

If you are planning to bring your family or fiancé to the United States, an immigration lawyer at Toland Law, LLC can provide the guidance you need. Whether you’re seeking asylum or pursuing citizenship for your loved ones, our firm is here to help navigate the complex immigration process effectively.

To schedule a consultation with Toland Law, LLC, and learn more about your legal options, contact us at (857) 347-3701 .