Family-Based Immigration Matters

Our Silver Spring Lawyer Keeps Families Together

As a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder), you can sponsor family members living abroad who wish to come to the U.S. to live and work. The process of family-based immigration is subject to complicated rules, documentation, and deadlines, and it should never be attempted without the help of an attorney who is experienced in this field of law. Lacking the assistance of an immigration lawyer can lead to unnecessary delays, pitfalls, complications, and denials.

At the Law Office of Eshigo P. Okasili, LLC you can work with an attorney who is a former immigrant with personal experience, as well as legal experience, in this matter. Our Silver Spring immigration attorney understands the anxiety and stress that can accompany immigration proceedings since she has been through them herself. Attorney Eshigo Okasili brings understanding, compassion, and individualized attention to your situation as we guide you through each phase of the process

Call us at (301) 760-2066 to get started, or fill out our online request form today.

Family-Based Visas

Family-based visas are granted to the immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder without limitation. Relatives who are not immediate family members, however, are subject to an annual quota of individuals allowed to be sponsored under U.S. Department of State guidelines. Only 480,000 non-immediate family members can obtain visas through this process each year.

Immediate family members are:

• Spouses
• Minor children under the age of 21
• Parents

Non-immediate family members are:

• Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens under the age of 21
• Spouses of lawful permanent residents
• Unmarried children of lawful permanent residents under the age of 21
• Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
• Unmarried children of lawful permanent residents over the age of 21
• Siblings of adult U.S. citizens

Fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens and their children can also obtain Green Cards through family-based immigration, as well as widows and widowers of U.S. citizens.

How to File a Family-Based Immigration Petition

Depending on if your family member is currently residing in the country, there are generally two processes for sponsorship.

• For family members already living in the United States - Your family member can apply for a status adjustment with Form I-485. They can eventually obtain a green card once a visa number is available.
• For family members outside the United States - The case would go through what is known as "Consular Processing." The NVC, or National Visa Center, would take your petition and forward it to a U.S. consulate once a visa number is available. Your relative will eventually recieve a notification detailing what to do next.

The time you and your family member need to wait for an available visa number depends on your relative's preference category.

Serving Clients across Montgomery County & Surrounding Areas

The family-based immigration process begins with a petition that must be approved. This is followed by either a process called adjustment of status for those inside the U.S., or consular processing for those still residing outside the U.S. We are here to help you navigate the entire process, and we are committed to helping you achieve your goals.

Contact us at (301) 760-2066 to learn more about our immigration lawyer in Silver Spring.