Arlington Visa Lawyer
A visa is a document that allows a person to legally enter a country for a certain period of time, or permanently in the case of immigrant visas. The visa application process is overseen by the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security. There are many different types of visas, each with a different application process, so it is imperative that individuals who intend to apply for a visa to select the correct type. Unfortunately, the visa application process can be complicated, and occasionally, applications are denied for many reasons. If you or someone you know needs help applying for a U.S. visa, an Arlington visa lawyer may be able to help you. Call and schedule an appointment with a skilled immigration attorney. They could review the factors surrounding your visa application and work to identify important steps in the process.
Immigrant Visas
The vast majority of individuals traveling to the U.S. must obtain a visa before they are allowed to travel to the country. The visa application process consists of several steps, but in general, foreign nationals must submit a visa application, attend an interview, and submit to an international background check. The entire visa application process is as follows:
- Submit the visa application itself
- Pay any applicable fees
- Make an appointment at a U.S. consulate or embassy
- Submit requested documentation
Once a person passes the background check, they may be subject to additional steps (fingerprinting, questions about social media, etc.) or attending another interview. The application process is relatively straightforward, but if any issues arise, the visa applicant may need to hire an Arlington visa lawyer to determine the delay in the process.
Visas for Spouses and Fiancées
The K-3 Visa allows U.S. citizens, who have already filed an I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, to speed up the visa application process by applying to reunite with their spouse in the United States to wait for the I-130 approval. Individuals who intend to file this visa may also bring the unmarried dependent children of the spouse into the country as well.
U.S. citizens may also apply for a visa for their fiancé(e). This is a K-1 Visa. The U.S. citizen must be able to demonstrate that the fiancé(e) and the U.S. citizen have met in person within the last two years (or provide a reason why this requirement should be waived), the couple’s eligibility to marry, and that they intend to marry within 90 days of the fiancé(e) entering the U.S.
Marriage is important but filing for a K-3 or K-1 Visa can be complicated, especially if the U.S. citizen applicant and their spouse do not have a strong understanding of immigration law. Multiple documents may be required, and applicants may be required to undergo an interview or fingerprinting. A skilled visa attorney in Arlington could help keep track of a visa application once it is submitted and advocate on behalf of the individual if any issues arise.
Family-Sponsored Visas
Life in a country alone can be difficult, and naturally, many U.S. citizens and permanent residents will want their family members to join them. To do this, the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident will need to file a petition to sponsor their relative by filing Form I-130 and help their family members apply for a Green Card (if they are in the U.S.) or an Immigrant Visa (if they are abroad). Each of these forms has a very regimented application process.
Unfortunately, the U.S. government receives a higher number of visa applications than there are visas available, so priority is given to immediate family members (i.e. spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens). Extended family members, such as siblings and adult children will have to wait longer to either apply for a Green Card or apply for an Immigrant Visa.
Let an Arlington Visa Attorney Assist You
If you have a family member or spouse who wishes to live in the United States, you must both develop a firm understanding of the application process, which consists of multiple steps. If you are struggling to understand the process, an attorney with a background in immigration law may be able to file documents on your behalf and provide guidance. Contact an Arlington visa lawyer now to learn more.