As a U.S. citizen or green card holder, you can seek lawful permanent residence status for certain family members. A Palm Bay family-based consular processing immigration lawyer can help you submit the appropriate application and advocate for the admission of your qualifying relatives into the United States.
Shoba Jaglal, our founding attorney, is an experienced immigration lawyer with personal experience navigating the immigration process. This has provided her with the ability to better relate with her clients who are seeking lawful entry into the United States. Contact Jag Law, PLLC today to schedule a consultation with a dedicated family immigration attorney.
Family-based consular processing is a method for obtaining your green card while located outside the U.S. because of your relationship with another green card holder or a U.S. citizen. Eligibility for family-based consular processing will depend on the status of the person applying on behalf of a relative and the nature of the family relationship. For U.S. citizens, a Palm Bay immigration lawyer may be able to seek family-based consular processing for the following relatives under 8 U.S.C. § 1153:
Green card holders can only seek family-based consular processing for a much narrower list of their relatives in comparison. If you are a green card holder, you may be able to apply for a spouse or for your unmarried children. Meeting with an immigration lawyer can be beneficial before applying for a relative’s consular processing to verify eligibility requirements. An experienced lawyer can also help you consider alternative application options if a relative is ineligible for family-based consular processing.
You can apply for family-based consular processing on behalf of a relative who is currently outside the U.S. by submitting a completed Form I-130 and paying the applicable filing fee. As the applicant, you will need to provide evidence of your U.S. citizenship or your status as a lawful permanent resident. This could include a copy of your passport, birth certificate, USCIS-issued naturalization or citizenship certificate, or your permanent resident card. The applicant may also need to make a biometric services appointment to provide their fingerprints, photograph, and signature for a background check.
The application also requires the submission of evidence to establish your qualifying family relationship with the beneficiary relative. The documentation required will depend on the type of relationship that is the basis for the application. For a spouse, you may need marriage certificates, financial documents, or other records that demonstrate the existence of a bona fide marriage. Other family relationships will require the submission of one or more birth certificates. Working with an immigration lawyer to submit an application may help to limit the risk of mistakes in your application and to compile the right documentation to show your eligibility for family-based consular processing in Palm Bay.
Consular processing for a relative can take time and requires timely coordination after an applicant’s approval. Jag Law, PLLC is here to guide you and your family through every step of the legal process when seeking to reunite your family in the United States. Contact our office today to schedule an initial consultation with a Palm Bay family-based consular processing immigration lawyer.
