The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), formally known as the Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS), has immigration visas specifically designed to help U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents bring their family to the U.S. I am committed to bringing families together by filing family-based immigration petitions and guiding families through the immigration process.
I am U.S. immigration attorney Paul L. Good. As a former member of the diplomatic corps of the U.S. Department of State for 35 years, I know how important it is to make sure your family-sponsorship paperwork is accurate and complete before you submit it to your local consulate for consideration.
There are essentially two types of family-based immigration:
Family-Based Immigration With Visa Numbers Immediately Available
- Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens (IR): This category includes the spouse and minor children of a U.S. citizen, as well as the parent of a U.S. citizen who is 21 or older.
Family-Based Immigration With Visa Numbers Not Immediately Available
- First Preference: Unmarried sons or daughters of a U.S. citizen
- Second Preference: Spouse, minor children, unmarried sons and daughters of legal permanent residents
- Third Preference: Married sons or daughters of U.S. citizens; also families of those sons/daughters, including parents.
- Fourth Preference: Brothers or sisters of U.S. citizens who are at least 21 years of age; also families of those brothers/sisters
Family-based processing usually includes applications for employment and occasionally for travel. If the alien(s) are outside the United States, family-based processing involves interaction with the National Visa Center, an arm of the U.S. Department of State, with which I am very experienced.
K-1 and K-2 Visas
In addition to family-based immigration, I have significant experience helping U.S. citizens obtain K-1 fiancé(e) visas so they can bring their fiancé(e) to the United States for the wedding. Once in the U.S., I can help fill out and file forms I-485 and I-765 to obtain work permits and green cards. I also help with K-2 visa applications for the minor children of K-1 visa holders.
K-3 and K-4 Visas
These visas are for a U.S. citizen's spouse and children who are outside the United States, waiting for the approval of the immigrant visa petition.
49 Years of State Department Service and Immigration Law at Work for You
If you are a U.S. citizen and need sponsorship help, assistance with a family immigration or a K-1 fiancé(e) visa, please make sure you are working with an experienced, knowledgeable and reputable legal professional. Securing a family visa for an immediate member of your family can be complicated and frustrating if your attorney doesn't have an in-depth understanding of the process. That is where my experience at the Department of State and as an immigration lawyer works to your biggest benefit.
Experienced Washington, D.C. Family Immigration Attorney
From my office in Herndon, Virginia, I advise and represent clients with immigration matters in communities throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area,Virginia and Maryland.The immigration attorney you hire will make a significant difference in how effectively your application is processed. Contact my office by phone or e-mail to arrange a consultation with an experienced and straightforward Virginia family sponsorship attorney today.
