Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Miami
Petition for the people you love — including family members living abroad. We handle I-130 family petitions and consular processing from the first form to the final interview. Hablamos Español.
Few things matter more than family. If you’re a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, you may be able to petition for certain relatives to live in the United States — including family members who are currently outside the country and waiting to begin their lives here.
We help Miami families file family-based petitions and guide both the petitioner here and the relative abroad through every stage. The process can be long and document-heavy, so having someone keep your case organized and moving makes a real difference.
Family-based immigration usually begins with Form I-130, the Petition for Alien Relative. It establishes the qualifying family relationship between you (the petitioner) and your relative (the beneficiary) — the essential first step toward a green card for your family member.
Who you’re able to petition for depends on your own status and your relationship to the family member:
If You’re a U.S. Citizen
- Spouse
- Children (married or unmarried, any age)
- Parents
- Siblings
If You’re a Green Card Holder
- Spouse
- Unmarried children
When your family member lives abroad, their case is completed through consular processing. This is a core focus of our practice. After the I-130 is approved, the case moves to the National Visa Center, your relative submits the immigrant visa application and supporting documents, and then attends an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country.
Once approved, your relative receives an immigrant visa and enters the United States as a lawful permanent resident. We coordinate the process across borders and time zones — guiding you here and your relative abroad so nothing falls through the cracks.
Whether your spouse, child, parent, or sibling is here in Miami or halfway around the world, we help you navigate the petition process and keep your case moving forward — so your family can finally be together. We’ll walk with you through every form, every document, and every step.
For a relative who will complete the process abroad, the path generally looks like this:
File the I-130 petition
We prepare and submit the petition, with evidence establishing your qualifying family relationship.
USCIS review & approval
USCIS reviews the petition and supporting documents and issues a decision.
National Visa Center
The approved case moves to the NVC, where your relative pays fees and submits the immigrant visa application and documents.
Consular interview
Your relative attends an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country.
Immigrant visa & entry
Once approved, your relative receives an immigrant visa and enters the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident.
Who can I petition for?
It depends on whether you’re a U.S. citizen or a green card holder and your relationship to the relative. U.S. citizens can petition for a wider range of family members, including parents and siblings.
My relative lives outside the U.S. — can you help?
Yes. This is a core part of our practice. We handle consular processing so your relative can complete the process at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country.
How long does a family petition take?
Timelines vary widely depending on the relationship, the visa category, and the country involved. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens generally move faster; preference categories can take longer due to annual limits.
What’s the difference between “immediate relatives” and “preference categories”?
Immediate relatives — spouses, parents, and unmarried minor children of U.S. citizens — aren’t subject to annual caps. Other family relationships fall into preference categories that have limited visas each year and longer waits.
Real Google reviews from Miami clients and families we’ve had the privilege to help.
If you’re ready to bring a loved one to the United States, a free, confidential consultation is the first step. We’ll review your situation and explain the path forward — in English or Spanish.