Family Immigration
Reuniting Families in Connecticut & New York
Family immigration is a cornerstone of the U.S. legal system and a primary focus of the firm. The firm provides strategic guidance for marriage-based green cards, K-1 fiancé visas, and I-130 petitions for parents, children, and siblings — navigating complex processing times and documentation requirements to bring your loved ones together.
- New York Licensed
- 14+ Years Experience
- 5 Languages
- 5.0 / 134 Reviews
Family immigration in CT & NY — quick answer
U.S. family immigration lets U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents sponsor close relatives — spouses, fiancés, parents, children, and (for citizens) siblings — for green cards or K-1 fiancé visas. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, parents, unmarried children under 21) are exempt from numerical caps under INA §201(b). All other relatives fall into family-preference categories governed by the monthly Department of State Visa Bulletin. Median I-130 processing for spouses of U.S. citizens is approximately 14.5 months per USCIS check case processing times; the 2024 USCIS fee rule sets I-130 at $675 and I-485 at $1,440.
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Our Services
Family Immigration Services We Provide
- Marriage Green Cards for spouses of U.S. Citizens and LPRs
- K-1 Fiancé Visas for engaged partners of U.S. citizens
- I-130 Petitions for Alien Relatives
- Adjustment of Status (I-485) to a permanent resident
- Consular Processing at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad
- Removal of Conditions on Residence (I-751)
- VAWA Self-Petitions for abused spouses and children
- Child Immigration and protection under CSPA
- Parent Immigration for U.S. Citizens to sponsor parents
- Family-based immigration for parents, children, and siblings
- Spouse visa and family reunification services
Core Services
Family-Based Immigration Services
The firm handles the most common family-based immigration cases with care and expertise — marriage green cards, K-1 fiancé visas, and petitions for relatives.
Marriage Green Card Lawyer
Help spouses of U.S. citizens and permanent residents obtain their green cards, both in the U.S. and abroad.
Petitions for Relatives Attorney
Bring parents, children, and siblings to the U.S. through the family preference system.
K-1 Fiancé Visa Attorney
Guide you through the process of bringing your intended spouse to the U.S. for marriage.
Consular Processing Lawyer
Guide you through the final visa interview stage at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide.
Current Processing Times & Requirements
Immediate Relatives (IR)
Spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens. No numerical limits — always current.
Family Preference Categories
F1, F2A, F2B, F3, F4 categories with annual numerical limits. Wait times vary by country and category.
K-1 Fiancé Visas
90-day marriage requirement after entry. USCIS processes Form I-129F petitions in order received.
All Services
All Family Immigration Services
Click a service to learn more — we link to dedicated pages when available.
- Marriage Green Cards for spouses of U.S. Citizens and LPRs
Includes sponsorship for spouses of citizens and LPRs.
- I-130 Petitions for Alien Relatives
- Spouse visa and family reunification services
Our Process
How We Handle Your Family Immigration Case
- 1
Strategy & Eligibility Assessment
We analyze your family relationships and immigration history to determine the fastest and most effective pathway, whether it's adjustment of status or consular processing in CT or NY.
- 2
Petition & Evidence Preparation
We meticulously prepare the I-130 petition and assemble a strong package of evidence to prove the bona fides of your relationship, minimizing the risk of an RFE.
- 3
Filing & Case Management
We file your applications, manage all communication with USCIS or the NVC, and provide you with regular status updates throughout the long waiting periods.
- 4
Interview Preparation & Final Adjudication
We conduct a detailed preparation session for your green card or visa interview, covering hundreds of potential questions to ensure you are confident and ready for a successful outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Family Immigration FAQ
Family Immigration Services
Explore Every Family Immigration Path
Eight focused sub-areas — click any card to see eligibility, evidence, processing times, and fees for that specific filing.
Marriage Green Card
Spouse of U.S. citizen or permanent resident (IR-1, CR-1, I-130 + I-485).
Explore Marriage Green CardK-1 Fiancé Visa
Engaged to a U.S. citizen, 90-day marriage requirement (I-129F).
Explore K-1 Fiancé VisaAdjustment of Status
Already in the U.S. — apply for green card without leaving (I-485).
Explore Adjustment of StatusConsular Processing
Outside the U.S. — green card via embassy interview (DS-260, NVC).
Explore Consular ProcessingRemoval of Conditions
Convert 2-year conditional green card to 10-year (I-751).
Explore Removal of ConditionsVAWA Self-Petition
Abused spouse/parent/child of USC or LPR — confidential self-petition.
Explore VAWA Self-PetitionChild Immigration & CSPA
Children of USC/LPR + Child Status Protection Act.
Explore Child Immigration & CSPARelated Services
Related Immigration Services
Explore other practice areas that may apply to your situation.
Citizenship & Naturalization
Apply for U.S. citizenship after holding a green card.
Learn more →Immigration Waivers
Waivers for inadmissibility and unlawful presence.
Learn more →Deportation Defense
Defense against removal proceedings for families.
Learn more →Asylum & Refugee
Protection for those fearing persecution abroad.
Learn more →U Visa (Victims)
U visas for crime victims cooperating with authorities.
Learn more →Business & Employment
Employer-sponsored visas and employment-based immigration.
Learn more →Appeals & Motions
Appeals for denials and motions to reopen.
Learn more →Immigration News & Updates
Stay current with immigration policy changes and analysis.
Learn more →USCIS Yearbook of Immigration Statistics
Over 60% of green cards are issued to family members of U.S. citizens or LPRs.
Family-sponsored immigration accounts for the largest share of new lawful permanent residents each fiscal year — see the DHS Office of Homeland Security Statistics Yearbook.
“An alien who is the spouse, child, or parent of a citizen of the United States, except in the case of a parent, such citizen must be at least 21 years of age.”
— Immigration and Nationality Act §201(b)(2)(A)(i), defining the immediate relative category exempt from numerical limits.
Related Topics
Related Immigration Topics
- Marriage Green Card — IR-1/CR-1 spouse petitions
- K-1 Fiancé Visa — Bring a fiancé to marry in the U.S.
- Parent Immigration (IR-5) — Sponsor parents of U.S. citizens
- Child Immigration & CSPA — Age-out protection & derivatives
- Adjustment of Status (I-485) — Green card from inside the U.S.
- Consular Processing — Immigrant visa at U.S. embassy abroad
- Removal of Conditions (I-751) — Two-year card to ten-year
- VAWA Self-Petition — Confidential relief for abused spouses
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a family-based green card take in 2025?
Per USCIS published median processing times, I-130 petitions filed by U.S. citizens for spouses average roughly 14.5 months. Immediate relatives (spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens) face no annual cap. Family preference categories (F1, F2A, F2B, F3, F4) are subject to the monthly Department of State Visa Bulletin and can wait years depending on country and category.
Who counts as an 'immediate relative' for family immigration?
Under INA §201(b)(2)(A)(i), immediate relatives are the spouse, unmarried child under 21, and parent (where the U.S. citizen petitioner is at least 21) of a U.S. citizen. Immediate relative visas are exempt from numerical caps, so a visa number is always available — no waiting on the Visa Bulletin.
What is the difference between adjustment of status and consular processing?
Adjustment of status (Form I-485) is for beneficiaries who are already in the United States in a valid status; the green card is issued by USCIS without leaving the country. Consular processing routes the case through the National Visa Center to a U.S. embassy abroad, where the beneficiary attends an immigrant visa interview before entering the U.S. as a permanent resident.
What are the 2024 filing fees for the main family-immigration forms?
Per the January 2024 USCIS final fee rule (89 FR 6194), the standard paper fees are: Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) — $675; Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) — $1,440; Form I-129F (Fiancé Petition) — $675; Form I-751 (Removal of Conditions) — $750; Form I-360 (VAWA self-petition) — $0; Form N-400 (Naturalization) — $760.
Can a U.S. citizen sponsor a sibling for a green card?
Yes, but only U.S. citizens age 21 or older can petition for siblings, under the F4 family preference category. F4 has long backlogs — per recent Department of State Visa Bulletins, waits commonly exceed 15 years and can exceed 20 years for nationals of Mexico and the Philippines.
Can a green card holder petition for a spouse or child?
Yes. Lawful permanent residents can file Form I-130 for a spouse or unmarried child under the F2A category, and for an unmarried adult child under F2B. F2A visas are capped at roughly 88,000 per year (77% of the 226,000 family-preference cap, 23% of the 114,200 allotted to F2 — see INA §203(a)(2)). When the LPR naturalizes, the spouse and minor children typically convert to immediate-relative status.
Government Resources
Official Immigration Resources
Access official government resources and stay informed about immigration policies.
USCIS Official Forms
Download official immigration forms and instructions directly from USCIS
Visit ResourceDisclaimer: These resources are provided for informational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified immigration attorney for legal advice specific to your case.
Talk to an immigration attorney
Get clear answers about your immigration case
Schedule a confidential consultation with M. Riaz Musani. Offices in West Hartford, CT and Latham, NY. Multilingual representation in five languages.