Consular Visa Processing & Adjustment of Status
Family first preference: This includes unmarried children of U.S. citizens and any minor dependents.
Family second preference: Unmarried children under the age of 21 of lawful permanent residents, and, spouses of legal permanent residents.
Family third preference: Married children, their spouses, and minor children if any of U.S. citizens.
Family fourth preference: Siblings, their spouses, and minors of U.S. citizens.
Fiancé Visas (K Visas)
There are Fiancé visas available which allow you to sponsor your spouse or fiancé.
K-1 visas allow your fiancé to join you and allow for your wedding within 90 days of their arrival. If your fiancé(e) marries you within 90 days of being admitted to the United States as a K-1 nonimmigrant, he or she may apply for lawful permanent resident status in the United States (a Green Card).
K-3 visas allow a spouse of a U.S. citizen to enter the United States legally and complete the permanent residence process from within the U.S.
Naturalization to Obtain U.S. Citizenship
Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is granted to a foreign citizen or national after he or she fulfills the requirements established by Congress
USCIS Requirements For naturalization:
- You have been a permanent resident for at least 5 years and meet all other eligibility requirements.
- You have been a permanent resident for 3 years or more and meet all eligibility requirements to file as a spouse of a U.S. citizen.
- You have qualifying service in the U.S. armed forces and meet all other eligibility requirements.
- Citizenship Through parents -Your child may qualify for naturalization if you are a U.S. citizen, the child was born outside the U.S., the child is currently residing outside the U.S., and all other eligibility requirements are met.
- You may qualify through other paths to naturalization if you do not qualify through the paths described (above).
Additional Factors That may apply, depending on your case:
- 18 years old or older
- Upstanding character
- Resident of current state for at least three months
- Adequate understanding of U.S. history and government
- Knowledge of English
- Have not left the U.S. for more than a year during the residency requirement.
Non-Immigrant Foreign Student Visas
Foreign students who will be attending a university, college, high school, private elementary school, or other academic institutions in the United States will apply for an F-1 student visa. Foreign students who will be attending nonacademic institutions and vocational programs must apply for M-1 student visas. Applicants for a foreign student Visa(s) will be mandated to meet a number of requirements to include:
- Acceptance at a recognized academic or Vocational school
- Sufficient financial assets to pay the tuition and defray personal expenses while in school.
- Sufficient preparation and/or requisite qualifications for the course of study
- Intent to depart the United States after completing the course of study ( a requirement of most non-immigrant visa’s).
Students applying for F-1 visas will also have to complete an interview process at their country’s respective U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Foreign students may also be able to obtain visas for their dependents via an F-2 classification which may allow a student’s spouse and / or children to accompany them to the United States.
Non-Immigrant Visitor Visas
We can assist in the consular processing of B-1 & B-2 Visitor Visa’s and any affidavits of support.
Overview (USCIS excerpt)
Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for a temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons who want to enter the United States temporarily for business (visa category B-1), for tourism (visa category B-2), or for a combination of both purposes (B-1/B-2).
Here are some examples of activities permitted with a visitor visa:
Business (B-1)
- Consult with business associates
- Attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference
- Settle an estate
- Negotiate a contract
Tourism (B-2)
- Tourism
- Vacation (holiday)
- Visit with friends or relatives
- Medical treatment
- Participation in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations
- Participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating
- Enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation)