Permanent Visa

Immigration Attorney

Permanent Visa (Immigrant Visa)

A non-U.S. citizen looking to enter the U.S. must usually obtain a visa. There are two broad categories of visas: immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. Immigrant visas, also referred to as “permanent visas,” are granted to foreign nationals looking to establish permanent residency in the U.S. Those who obtain permanent visas are authorized to live in the U.S. and apply for work permits. If you are looking to come to the U.S. or stay in the U.S. permanently, obtaining a permanent visa is critical. While important to get right, the immigrant visa application process is very involved. Fazli & Associates is here to help. We provide trusted immigration legal counsel for those seeking to obtain permanent visas.

How Do You Apply for an Immigrant Visa?

In order to obtain an immigrant visa, you must submit a petition. If you are currently located in the U.S., you file Form I-130 with USCIS. If you are outside of the U.S., you will have to file a different type of position. Most immigrant visa petitions are, however, submitted from people already inside the U.S. Your petition will need to be initially approved by USCIS before it can proceed to the National Visa Center (NVC).

USCIS will transfer your case to the NVC, a division of the Department of State, once your petition is approved. You will need to complete all requisite forms and provide supporting documentation to NVC. Additionally, you will need to pay the Immigrant Visa Application Processing Fee as well as the Affidavit of Support Fee. An Affidavit of Support will also need to be submitted. An Affidavit of Support, Form I-864, is to be completed by a person willing to accept financial responsibility for the immigrant visa applicant. The person signing the Affidavit of Support is referred to as the “sponsor.” The sponsor, in addition to completing the Affidavit, will also need to present evidence supporting their ability to financially support the applicant. This will mean submitting financial documents and other supporting documentation.

Once everything is filed with NVX, your case will be reviewed and an interview will be scheduled based on appointment availability. You will also need to complete the Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration and gather supporting documentation. Supporting documentation must either be written in English, or, if not written in English, must be accompanied by certified document translations. All of this may be scanned and submitted to NVC.

In preparation for your scheduled interview, you will need to both schedule and complete a medical examination. You should also gather any documents required for your interview. Be sure to attend your interview at the scheduled time. Failure to do so can result in denial or significant delays in your application processing. At the interview, you will need to have digital fingerprints taken. After everything has been processed, you will receive notice about whether your permanent visa application has been approved or denied. Making your way through this detailed process can be very overwhelming. At Fazli & Associates, we provide dedicated immigration legal counsel to our clients seeking immigrant visas.

What are the Different Types of Immigrant Visa Categories?

Immigrant visas are categorized according to the purpose for which a foreign national is looking to permanently immigrate to the U.S. For instance, these categories include:

Spouses looking to join their U.S. citizen spouse
Fiancé intending to marry a U.S. citizen and live in the U.S.
A U.S. citizen adopting an orphan child from another country
Certain family members looking to join a U.S. citizen
Certain family members looking to join a lawful permanent resident
A potential employee being sponsored by a U.S. employer

Each visa category has different eligibility requirements. Fazli & Associates will help determine which category is the best fit for you. We will then guide you through the application process, answering your questions and providing you with support along the way.

Immigration Attorneys for those Immigrant Visa Applicants.

The visa process is often confusing and overwhelming. Get knowledgeable legal counsel by your side. At Fazli & Associates we are committed to providing the highest quality of legal support to our clients. We are here for you as we work together to pursue an immigrant visa. Contact us today.