
Family Immigration
HELP WITH FAMILY IMMIGRATION
Many people become permanent residents through family members. The United States promotes family unity and allows U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents to petition for certain relatives to come and live permanently in the United States. Our expert family immigration attorneys in Denver, CO, and Seattle, WA, can help with visa applications, green card petitions, adjustment of status, and more.

Who Can Sponsor a Family Member for Immigration to the U.S.?
U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders) can sponsor certain family members for a visa that provides permanent residence, also known as a Green Card. U.S. citizens can sponsor their spouses, children, parents, and siblings. Lawful permanent residents can sponsor their spouses and unmarried children.
Our immigration attorneys can guide you through the process of petitioning for a family member. We'll help you understand the eligibility requirements, gather the necessary documentation, complete the application forms accurately, and prepare for the immigration interview. We're committed to providing personalized, attentive service to each of our clients, and we'll be there to answer your questions and address your concerns every step of the way.
Types of Family-Based Visas
There are two main categories of family-based immigrant visas:
- Immediate Relative Immigrant Visas (IR): These visas are for close family relationships with a U.S. citizen, such as spouses, unmarried children under the age of 21, and parents. There is no limit to the number of these visas that can be issued each year.
- Family Preference Immigrant Visas (F): These visas are for specific, more distant family relationships with a U.S. citizen and some relationships with a Lawful Permanent Resident. There are annual limits to the number of these visas that can be issued each year.

GREEN CARD PETITIONS
Our green card lawyers can walk you through the process and help you file petitions for your family members:
Family Member of a Permanent Resident:
A permanent resident may petition for his/her spouse and unmarried children of any age to immigrate to the United States. Congress has limited the number of relatives who may immigrate under these categories each year so there is a waiting period before an immigrant visa number becomes available.
Family Member of a U.S. Citizen:
U.S. citizens who want their relatives to immigrate to the United States can petition on behalf of their spouse, children and if the U.S. Citizen is twenty one years of age or older, their parents and brothers or sisters. “Immediate relatives” of a U.S. citizen, i.e. spouse, unmarried children under the age of 21, or parents, always have a visa number immediately available.
The “family preference category” includes:
- Unmarried sons or daughters over the age of 21
- Married children of any age
- Brothers and sisters (if the U.S. citizen petitioner is over the age of 21)
Congress has limited the number of relatives who may immigrate under these categories each year so there is usually a waiting period before an immigrant visa number becomes available. The wait will depend on your preference category:
Family-Based Preference Categories:
There are four family-based preference categories:
- 1st preference: unmarried sons and daughters (21 and older) of U.S. citizens
- 2A: spouses and unmarried children (under 21) of lawful permanent residents
- 2B: unmarried sons and daughters (21 and older) of lawful permanent residents
- 3rd preference: married sons and daughters (21 and older) of U.S. citizens
- 4th preference: brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens
Relatives who fall within these preference-based categories must wait for their priority date to become current before they can apply for their green cards. Each month, the U.S.Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin, which shows the priority dates that are current in each category for that month. The priority date is generally the date that the I-130 Petition was filed.
Through Special Categories of Family:
One may be able to become a permanent resident through a special family situation. These adjustment of status programs are limited to individuals who meet particular qualifications and/or apply during certain time frames:
- Battered Spouse or Child (VAWA)
- K Nonimmigrant (includes fiancé)
- Person Born to a Foreign Diplomat in the United States
- V Nonimmigrant
- Widow of a U.S. Citizen


ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS VS. CONSULAR PROCESSING
Once an individual's priority date is current, the next step in obtaining a green card is either adjustment of status or consular processing. Adjustment of status is when a person applies for a green card from within the United States with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Generally, an individual cannot apply for a green card from within the U.S. unless they entered the country legally or qualify under a special law found at INA Section 245(i). If an individual cannot apply within the US, they may be required to consular process in their home country.
At our firm, we specialize in preparing applications for adjustment of status and consular processing. To learn more about the filing process, forms, and fees, please contact us to speak with a team member.
Why Choose Novo Legal Group for Your Family Immigration Needs?
At Novo Legal Group, we offer exceptional quality of service, take on complicated cases, and find options where others have failed. We have an exceptional win rate and offer our services at a cost that makes legal representation accessible to disadvantaged communities. We're not just your attorneys - we're your advocates, your advisors, and your partners in this journey. Our immigration attorneys are experiencedin family-based immigration and dedicated to helping our clients achieve their American dream.
We believe that every case is unique, and we take the time to understand our clients' individual circumstances and goals. We use a strategic approach to navigate the complexities of U.S. immigration law, and we're always up to date with the latest changes and developments in the field. We're proud of our track record of success and the positive impact we've had on the lives of our clients and their families.
Our team is multicultural and multilingual, and we're committed to serving diverse communities. We understand the challenges and obstacles that immigrants face, and we're here to help you overcome them. We believe in the American dream, and we're here to help you make it a reality.
Ready to start your family immigration process? Book a consultation with our team today. We're looking forward to working with you and helping you reunite your family.
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