Understanding Family Immigration Visas

By Richard M Gordon

There are many ways to go about obtaining permanent residency status within the U.S. if you are a foreigner. Different visas have been created to make this process possible, and there are many types that can be used to obtain recognition as a lawful United States permanent resident. There are a number of ways in which an illegal resident of the country can gain citizenship and some of the main ones are: work visas, fiancée visas, non-immigrant visas, student visas, and, of course, family visas.

U.S. law allows for illegal residents and non-citizen immigrants to enter into the country upon the condition that they have a visa and have been legally permitted to do so. As a lawful permanent resident of the country, foreigners can use their visas to enter the United States, as well as live in the country permanently and obtain employment. However, there are conditions to obtaining the legal documents that allow this type of lifestyle, and one of the most commonly used ways to enter and live in the U.S. is the family visa, which is not excluded from carrying its own set of terms and conditions. In order to be granted residency, a non-citizen may choose to obtain a family visa if their situation permits for this type of allowance. When this is the case, an immigrant can use their relative's permanent residency and/ or citizenship as a means into the country. To do so requires the citizen or permanent resident currently living in the United States to petition for a visa on behalf of the individual who wishes to enter the country.

Family members can petition on behalf of a brother, sister, parent, wife, husband, and any unmarried children over the age of 21, as well any of their children. Before the visa will be granted, it must be established that the person making the petition is financially stable enough to support the incoming immigrant. This means that the family member will need to prove that they have enough assets and/ or financial means to support an additional person. If this can be established, then the next step in the process will be for the family member to formally accept an additional support. This will be completed by acknowledging the legal responsibility of such an action and then signing written documentation to officiate the face. This documentation is referred to as the Affidavit of Support. Only once all of these steps have been taken can the immigrant who intends to enter the U.S. permanently apply for a visa themselves.

The initial steps of obtaining a family visa are only the beginning of what is a lengthy and rather complex legal process. However, these are usually the most commonly accepted and widely used ways to gain residency in the country, and as such, the chances of successfully obtaining residency in this manner is relatively high. The issuance of a visa is most often done based on predetermined annual quotas, the home country of the petitioner, and the petitioner's relationship to a U.S. family member. Again, this often a complicated process, and it is one that should not be attempted without the guidance of a legal professional that is skilled in immigration law and can help walk you through the process with as much ease as possible.

At Maney and Gordon, an Orlando immigration attorney from the firm can help you navigate your way through the legal system as it pertains to immigration law. The firm opened its doors in 1997, and ever since, it has been skillfully providing legal assistance to immigrants, non-citizens, and permanent residents throughout the state of Florida. When you need steadfast legal representation you can feel confident in turning to the law office of Maney and Gordon. There you will find a team of attorneys that have been named as Super Lawyers and one that has obtained the highest peer review rating possible by the acclaimed Martindale-Hubbell rating system. There is no doubt that this will be a difficult time for you and your family, but there is something that can be done about it and hiring an associate from the Orlando firm should be your first step in the process.

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