Applying for a Family Preference Immigrant Visa in Prince William County
To obtain a family preference immigrant visa, the applicant should have a relative who is either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident. If their relative is a permanent resident, they must be that permanent resident’s spouse, or they have to be that permanent resident’s child under 21, or child who’s over 21, but unmarried.
If you or a loved one is looking to obtain legal status in the United States based on a familial relationship, get in touch with an experienced immigration attorney for help with applying for a family preference immigrant visa in Prince William County.
What Documents are Needed for a Family Preference Immigrant Visa Application?
The documents that should be submitted with the application depend entirely under what category the prospective immigrant is applying under. If the applicant is a child of a U.S. citizen, then they will need to submit their birth certificate to prove that the person who is filing for them is their parent.
If the person who is filing for the prospective immigrant is their father, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will also require that a marriage certificate be submitted proving that their mother and father were married at the time they were born, or evidence that their father recognized them as his child at the time that they were born or went ahead and affirmed that they are his child later on while they were underage.
If the family relationship is one of a sibling relationship, then USCIS will want to see the birth certificate of the petitioner and the birth certificate of the intending immigrant to show that they have at least one parent in common, proving that they are siblings.
What Makes the Application Process so Difficult?
Some applicants may find the process difficult when they are asked questions at the immigrant visa stage about inadmissibility, such as whether they have ever been arrested, detained or cited by any government official. If they do have a criminal past, they will find it difficult to submit a successful immigrant visa application.
When the Petitioner (the U.S. citizen or permanent resident) files Form, I-130, it can become difficult for the U.S. citizen or permanent resident to figure out where the person will be interviewed or if they are going to consular process or apply for adjustment of status. If the prospective immigrant is inside of the United States, they may have trouble finding out which local USCIS office will schedule the interview for the adjustment of status.
When Will an Interview Take Place?
If the applicant for the Green Card is inside of the United States, whether that person will be interviewed is dependent on the USCIS officer’s determination about the application. For example, if the officer determines that the family relationship is established and the visa number is available, USCIS may approve an application without the need for an interview. However, they can also decide to interview some applicants at random.
If the applicant is living abroad, they should expect to be interviewed. They will be interviewed at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country, or the nearest country that has U.S. Embassy or Consulate since they have to receive their passport, interview them about the application, and then put the visa inside of that passport to permit them to enter the United States.
Will Family Members Also Be Subject to an Interview?
If the Petitioner is applying on behalf of someone who is abroad, the interview will be taking place at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad, meaning that they will not be required to attend the interview. However, if the Beneficiary (the immigrant) is present in the United States then both parties may be asked to be present at the interview held at the local USCIS office.
What are the Benefits of Hiring an Immigration Attorney?
The main benefit that comes with hiring an immigration attorney is their experience. Since the attorney has undergone this process various times before, they will know what to expect going forward, meaning that they will be able to guide the applicant and their family members through the process. As a result, getting in touch with an attorney prior to applying for a family preference visa in Prince William County is strongly recommended.