Resolving Immigration Matters for Clients and Their Family Members
At Ghoshal Law PLLC, we are committed to helping families navigate the U.S. immigration process with clarity, compassion, and legal precision.
Whether you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident seeking to help your family members immigrate to the United States by bringing them to the United States from their home country through Consular Processing or helping them to adjust status if they are already present in the U.S., you can depend on our experienced Austin immigration attorneys Ghoshal Law PLLC to provide the necessary legal guidance on their family based green card. Call our Austin immigration law firm today to get started.
What Immigration Legal Services Does Our Austin, Texas Law Firm Offer Clients?
Our law firm has assisted clients for years with a wide range of family immigration services, including:
- Adjustment of Status for relatives already in the U.S.
- Consular Processing for family members living abroad
- Marriage-based green cards and fiancé(e) visas
- VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) self-petitions
- Petitions for parents, children, spouses, and siblings
- Removal of Conditions (I-751) and transition to U.S. Citizenship
We understand how critical it is to keep families together. Our team ensures every case is prepared thoroughly, with supporting documents and timely filings, to increase the chances of a successful outcome. A knowledgeable immigration attorney can help you and your family apply for the type of visa that will result in the desired immigration status. So, if you have questions about how to bring your relatives to the U.S. or obtain permanent residency for loved ones already in the country, call our Austin immigration lawyers today for legal assistance.
What Should You Know About Family Petitions?
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offers different types of family visas that allow permanent residents and U.S. citizens to sponsor family members to come to the US to live as permanent residents. The one that’s right for your immigration goals depends on your immigration status and relationship with the loved ones you wish to bring to the U.S.
Immediate Relative Petitions (Unlimited Annual Quotas)
If you’re a U.S. citizen, you can use the Immediate Relative visa and petition for your:
- Spouse
- Children under 21
- Parents (if you are 21 or older)
There is no limit on how many Immediate Relatives visas are issued every year, so this immigration journey should be relatively fast for your spouse, minor children, or parents.
Family Preference Categories (Subject to Visa Caps)
If you want to sponsor other family members as a U.S. citizen – or if you’re a lawful permanent resident who wants to help close family immigrate – you will need to use the Family Preference visa.
US citizens and permanent residents may sponsor relatives in these preference categories:
- F1 First preference: Unmarried adult (21 and older) sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
- F2A/B Second preference: Spouses, unmarried minor children (under 21), and unmarried adult (21 and older) children of permanent residents
- F3 Third preference: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
- F4 Fourth preference: Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens who are 21 and older
The government has annual limits on this type of visa, so there are often long wait times to get approved, with certain relatives getting priority. We track visa bulletin movement monthly and help families plan proactively around expected wait times.
If you have questions about which visa is right for your situation, reach out to our Austin immigration law office today to book a consultation with our experienced immigration attorney. Our team at Ghoshal Law has assisted numerous clients with getting the necessary immigration papers, so you can count on us to guide you through each step, from establishing the qualifying relationship to addressing unique documentation needs for complex family situations.
How Can We Help You with Marriage-Based Green Cards and Fiancé(e) Visas (K-1 Visa)?
Whether you are married or engaged to a U.S. citizen, Ghoshal Law PLLC offers full-service support to bring them to the U.S. through the K-1 fiancé(e) visa a few months before your wedding day and marriage-based green cards. To begin this process, you must file a Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé. If the Form I-129F is approved, you must marry your fiancé within 90 days of their arrival date. After the wedding, your new spouse can apply for lawful permanent residency through adjustment of status. If you don’t get married within 90 days, they must return home.
For the K-1 visa our team at Ghoshal Law will help gather evidence of a bona fide relationship, evidence of having met in person at least once in the last two years, draft letter of intent to marry within 90 days of Fiancé(e)’s entry to U.S. and file the I-129F petition on your behalf.
If you’re unsure if your fiancé is eligible for the K-1 visa or if this is the correct immigration option for your specific circumstances, it’s time to contact our K-1 visa attorney in Austin to have your options evaluated. We are well-versed in the immigration system and can assist with handling the full process — from Form I-129F to the green card application to adjust status — ensuring your future spouse’s transition is smooth and compliant.
For a marriage based green card, our Austin immigration attorney will help gather evidence of a genuine marital relationship with supporting documentation, navigate timelines, fees and prepare for an interview.
How Can You Get a Green Card Through Vawa (Humanitarian Relief)?
If you or a loved one has suffered abuse or extreme cruelty in their relationship while married to a U.S. citizen or green card holder or in their relationship with their U.S. citizen children who are 21 years old or older, you may qualify for immigration benefits under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) — even if you’re undocumented or have a prior denial. We file Form I-360 and pursue adjustment of status without needing your spouse’s involvement or support. By filing the petition or adjustment of status, you can likely stay in the U.S. and get a work permit within 6 months.
What Is Family-Based Adjustment of Status?
Family-Based Adjustment of Status allows eligible relatives of U.S. citizens or green card holders who are already in the United States to apply for a green card without leaving the country. This process is often used by spouses, parents, and children of U.S. citizens, as well as certain other family members in specific visa categories.
To adjust status, you will typically need to submit Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-485, as well as Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, an agreement that you’ll financially support your relative so they don’t become a public charge requiring the government to support them.
Your relative will typically need to complete a medical examination with the USCIS, as well as attend an interview and a biometric appointment to get their fingerprints and photo taken. Once they successfully complete these steps, they can remain in the U.S. while their application for permanent residency is pending, apply for work authorization, and advance parole to travel out of US. It’s best to have the guidance of a skilled lawyer throughout this process. At Ghoshal Law PLLC, our Austin immigration attorney guides clients through every step of filing for adjustment of status, gathering the necessary documentation, attending the green card interview, and ensuring eligibility for adjustment of status under current immigration laws.
What is Family-Based Consular Processing?
Family-based consular processing is the primary pathway to obtain an immigrant visa for relatives living outside the U.S. We guide clients through every stage, starting with the I-130 petition, filling out the forms at NVC, gathering supporting documents, and preparing the client for the consular interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. At Ghoshal Law PLLC, our Austin immigration attorney ensures your case is thoroughly documented to minimize delays and reduce the risk of denials.
What is Removal of Conditions (I-751) on Residence?
If you or your spouse received a two-year conditional green card through marriage, our team at Ghoshal Law will assist with preparing I-751 petitions with evidence of a bona fide marriage or address waivers for joint filing when necessary to remove conditions and secure permanent resident status. Our Austin immigration law firm also provides guidance on the naturalization process, helping clients transition from permanent residency to U.S. citizenship with confidence.
Family-Based Immigration – FAQs
1. Who can I sponsor for a green card as a U.S. citizen?
U.S. citizens can sponsor their spouse, children, parents, and siblings for lawful permanent residence. Immediate relatives (spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents) are not subject to annual visa limits.
2. What is the difference between Adjustment of Status and Consular Processing?
Adjustment of Status is for applicants already in the U.S., while Consular Processing is for those applying for a green card from abroad. We will help determine the best process for your case.
3. Do I need to submit an Affidavit of Support for my spouse?
Yes. A Form I-864 Affidavit of Support is required in most family-based cases to show the petitioner has sufficient income to support the immigrant and prevent reliance on public benefits.
4. Can I still apply for a green card if I entered the U.S. without a visa?
Possibly. Certain individuals—such as spouses of U.S. citizens—may still be eligible for Adjustment of Status or a waiver. We will evaluate your specific situation to determine eligibility.
How Can an Austin Family Immigration Attorney Help with Your Immigration Case?
- Personalized Service: Every case receives individual attention from our experienced immigration attorneys.
- Clear Communication: We keep you informed at every stage and explain complex legal terms in plain language.
- Proven Results: Our firm has a strong track record of successful family immigration outcomes.
We serve clients throughout Austin, Texas, and nationwide. Whether you’re seeking help with green card applications, family visa petitions, or U.S. citizenship, we’re here to simplify the process and advocate for your family’s future.
When you hire our team for legal help, we will ask you for the information and supporting documents we need and then do everything necessary to file your case on your behalf. We have a fast turnaround because we want you to see fast results that allow your loved ones to legally enter the country or become lawful permanent residents as soon as possible. If you have questions about marriage or family-based green cards, removal of conditions, the citizenship application, or other common immigration matters, our Austin family immigration attorney is here to help. Call our Austin, Texas, immigration law firm today at 512-456-3536 to schedule an initial consultation with caring immigration lawyers who are committed to your case’s success.