Family Based Immigration

Boston Family-based Immigration Attorney

The reunification of families still accounts for the majority of immigrant visas (green cards) issued each year under our current system. However, only "immediate relatives" may apply, and some categories are open only to U.S. citizen petitioners. Who can and cannot apply is set forth in the Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA), with special benefits accorded to Spouses of U.S. citizens. These applications are considered "Immediate Relative" (IR) petitions, and there is no backlog (wait) for any IR petition, no matter the country of origin.

Other Family based categories (See Below) have growing backlogs with some extending out for many years. Care must be taken when filing these applications, as the filing of such an application could - in some cases - prevent the beneficiary from entering/visiting the U.S. for many years until the immigrant case has been processed. Family based petitions can be filed only for immediate family members: mother; father; sister; brother; son; daughter or spouse. Each preference category has its own definition and each generally has a waiting time that is listed in the monthly Visa Bulletin.

IR Immediate Relative visas (unlimited family-based visas)

• Spouses of United States citizens
• Minor children (under age 21) of United States citizens
• Parents of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old
• Widows and widowers of deceased U.S. citizens - applicants must have been married at least two years prior to their spouses' deaths, must file within two years of the death, and must not have remarried at the time of application

Preference immigrant visas (limited family-based visas):

Our family immigration attorney and staff provide services to clients nationwide and throughout the Boston, Massachusetts area from offices on Route 128 (America's Technology Highway). For more information, or to schedule a consultation with experienced immigration lawyer Roy Jack Watson, Jr., please contact our Bedford office.