Employment-based and family-based visas

Virginia Family-Based Nonimmigrant and Immigrant Visa Attorney

The Law Offices of Amelia L. Ramer in Reston, Virginia helps individuals and families who are seeking visas or permanent residency for themselves or relatives. Family-based visas include those issued to spouses, children, parents, fiancées/fiancés, and siblings (brothers and sisters). For immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, visas are always available, which means that your family member does not have to wait in line for a visa. For preference based family applications, there is a wait depending upon your relationship to the beneficiary or applicant/petitioner.

Immediate Relatives

The term "immediate relative(s)" is used to define certain immigrant relatives of U.S. citizens. Immediate relatives include:

• Spouses of U.S. citizens
• Children (unmarried and under 21) of U.S. citizens
• Parents of U.S. citizens (The petitioning citizen must be 21 or older.)

Preference Categories

• First preference: Unmarried, adult sons and daughters of U.S. citizens (adult means 21 or older.)
• Second Preference (2A): Spouses of green card holders, unmarried children (under 21) of permanent residents
• Second Preference (2B): Unmarried adult sons and daughters of permanent residents over the age of 21
• Third Preference: Married sons and daughters (any age) of U.S. citizens
• Fourth Preference: Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens

The Visa Bulletin, which is issued on a monthly basis is the source that one can go to in order to determine whether a visa is currently available. Spouses and minor children of permanent residents may need to wait three or more years after filing the I-130 application for an available visa, while unmarried adult sons and daughters of permanent residents may need to wait five years or more.

Throughout the visa or residency application process, I am "on call" for my clients. I answer inquiries, keep my clients informed of their progress, and when the time comes for a hearing before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), or the U.S. Consular Office abroad, I assist with all the necessary preparation for the hearing.

Contact me to ask for an initial consultation with an experienced lawyer on your employment-based or family-based visa matter.

Law Offices of Amelia L. Ramer
2508 Charlestown Lane
Reston, VA 20191
Telephone 703-481-5650
Fax 703-481-5645