Family-Based Visas

DeGrio Channing Law, PLLC assists U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents with filing visa petitions and applying for permanent resident status (green cards) for eligible family members.

An immigrant visa application is the first step towards permanent resident status in the United States. The application is submitted to USCIS on a Form I-130 along with detailed supporting evidence documenting that the parties meet the regulatory criteria. USCIS will assign a priority date to your I-130 petition upon receipt. Your priority date and visa preference category will determine when you are eligible to file a Form I-485 application for permanent resident status or when you are eligible to appear for an immigrant visa interview at a US Embassy or Consulate.

Immigrant Visas

Immediate Relative

An immediate relative is categorized as the spouse, child or parent of a U.S. citizen. An immediate relative does not need to adhere to a priority date and instead can immediately begin the process of applying for permanent resident status.

Family Preference Categories

U.S. citizens may file for their adult children (married or unmarried) and their brothers and sisters. 

Lawful permanent residents may file for their spouses and their minor and adult children (who must be unmarried).

Lawful Permanent Resident Status: Adjustment of Status and Consular Processing 

In some cases, an immigrant will need to apply for and be approved for a waiver of inadmissibility or a waiver of removal before being approved for lawful permanent resident status. The most common type of waiver is a Form I-601A Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence waiver for an unlawful entry. In most circumstances, the Form I-601A waiver is the only type of waiver that DeGrio Law handles.

Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver

Form I-601A Waiver: This provisional waiver seeks forgiveness for unlawful presence only and was enacted to shorten an applicant’s time outside the United States while consular processing. A huge benefit to this provisional waiver is that it can be filed while the applicant is inside the United States.

More information regarding Form I-601A Eligibility