Family Immigration Attorneys in Woburn, Massachusetts

We know how emotionally challenging it is when families are separated. Fortunately, there may be a way to reunite your family in the United States through family immigration.  

Obtaining a family-based visa can be a long and daunting process. That is why our team of family immigration attorneys at Corbaci Law, P.C., is here to help. We assist individuals and families in all types of family-based immigration cases at U.S. consulates abroad and local service centers and USCIS offices in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. If you are located in Woburn, Framingham, Boston, Marlborough, or anywhere else in the state, reach out to our family immigration attorneys to discuss your particular case.

Types of Family-Based Visas  

Depending on the sponsor’s status (U.S. citizen vs. lawful permanent resident) and the family relationship between the sponsor and the beneficiary, there are two types of family-based visas: 

1. Immediate relative. Certain relatives of U.S. citizens can obtain a family-based visa on an immediate basis. The number of visas available for this category is not limited per fiscal year.  

2. Family preference. More distant family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents may be eligible to obtain a family-based visa through what is known as a “family preference.” However, the number of visas available for this category is limited each fiscal year.  

If you have questions about your eligibility for a family-based visa when you or your family member is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, speak with our family immigration attorneys at Corbaci Law, P.C.  

Who Can File for an Immigrant Visa?   

If you are learning about your options to immigrate to the United States through family immigration, you need to understand who is eligible to obtain a family-based visa in the “immediate relative” and “family preference” categories. Under U.S. immigration law, immediate relatives include the following family members: 

• Spouses of U.S. citizens, including same-sex couples;  

• Unmarried children under the age of 21 (at least one of their parents must be a U.S. citizen); 

• Parents of U.S. citizens (the U.S. citizen must be at least 21 years of age);  

• Stepparents and stepchildren as long as the stepparent/stepchild relationship was created before the child turned 18; and 

• Adoptive parents and children who were adopted as long as the adoption occurred before the child turned 16.  

Certain other relatives of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPR) are also eligible for family-based visas. Those family members must fall into one of the following “preference categories” based on the relationship between the sponsor and the beneficiary:  

1. First preference: Unmarried children of U.S. citizens aged 21 years or older;  

2. Second preference: Spouses and unmarried children of LPRs;  

3. Third preference: Married children of U.S. citizens; and 

4. Fourth preference: Siblings (sisters and brothers) of U.S. citizens (the U.S. citizen must be 21 years of age or older).  

If you or your family member does not fall into any of the above-mentioned categories to get a family-based visa, an immigration attorney can help you explore your other options for obtaining a green card.  

The Process to Obtain the Visa  

The process to obtain a family-based visa begins with the sponsor, also known as the petitioner, filing Form I-130 with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This form establishes the existence of a family relationship within the “immediate relative” or “family preference” category.  

Once the form is submitted, the petitioner must wait for USCIS approval. When USCIS approves the petition and a visa becomes available, the family member for whom the petition is filed (the beneficiary) can apply for a green card. This can be done in one of two ways: 

1. Consular processing (applying for a green card outside of the U.S. through a consular office or U.S. Embassy in a foreign country); or 

2. Adjustment of status (applying for a green card from within the United States to change one’s status).  

Unless the interview is waived, all green card applicants must be interviewed by a USCIS official before their application is approved. At Corbaci Law, P.C., we can assist you through every step of the process, including submitting the necessary paperwork and preparing for an interview.