Expert family immigration attorneys serving NYC families in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Long Island. Marriage green cards, K-1 fiancé visas, I-130 petitions, spouse sponsorship, parent immigration, and family reunification.
Reunite with your loved ones in New York City
Marriage-based green cards for NYC couples. I-130 petition for spouse, I-485 adjustment of status if in U.S., or consular processing if abroad. Interview preparation at 26 Federal Plaza. Evidence of bona fide marriage, joint finances, cohabitation. Removal of conditions (I-751) after 2 years.
Bring your fiancé(e) to NYC to marry. I-129F petition with USCIS, consular interview abroad, 90-day validity to marry in U.S. After marriage, file I-485 for green card. Popular for NYC residents with overseas partners. Processing takes 12-18 months total.
Petition for family members: spouses, parents, children, siblings. Immediate relatives (no quota) vs family preference categories (with wait times). Affidavit of Support (I-864) showing financial ability. NYC petitioners must show 125% of federal poverty guidelines.
Bring children to NYC: biological children under 21, stepchildren, adopted children. IR-2 for children of U.S. citizens, F2B for children of green card holders. Orphan petitions (I-600), Hague adoption cases (I-800). Special Immigrant Juvenile Status for abused/abandoned children in NYC family court.
Spouse, unmarried children <21, parents (if petitioner is 21+)
Unmarried sons/daughters of U.S. citizens (21+)
Spouse and unmarried children <21 of green card holders
Unmarried sons/daughters (21+) of green card holders
Married sons/daughters of U.S. citizens
Brothers/sisters of U.S. citizens (petitioner must be 21+)
If you're a U.S. citizen or green card holder living in NYC, you can sponsor your spouse by filing Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative). U.S. citizens can petition spouses as immediate relatives with no quota or waiting period. Green card holders petition under F2A category (2-3 year wait). You must also file Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) showing you earn at least 125% of federal poverty guidelines. If your spouse is already in the U.S., they file I-485 for adjustment of status. If abroad, they go through consular processing. NYC couples typically interview at USCIS 26 Federal Plaza. You'll need to prove bona fide marriage with joint documents, photos, correspondence. Processing takes 12-18 months for U.S. citizen sponsors, 2-4 years for green card holder sponsors.
A K-1 visa allows your foreign fiancé(e) to come to the U.S. to marry you within 90 days. You (the NYC resident U.S. citizen) file Form I-129F with USCIS. Once approved (4-8 months), your fiancé(e) applies for the K-1 visa at a U.S. consulate/embassy abroad. After consular interview and approval (2-6 months), they receive a K-1 visa valid for 6 months to enter the U.S. You must marry within 90 days of their arrival in NYC. After marriage, your spouse files I-485 for green card adjustment of status, I-765 for work authorization, and I-131 for travel authorization. Total K-1 timeline: 12-18 months from initial filing to green card. This is faster than CR-1 spouse visa for couples who haven't married yet.
Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old. Parents of U.S. citizens qualify as immediate relatives (IR-5 category) with no quota or waiting period—this is one of the fastest family immigration categories. You file Form I-130 for each parent and Form I-864 showing you can financially support them at 125% of federal poverty guidelines. If your parents are in the U.S., they can file I-485 to adjust status and typically interview at 26 Federal Plaza. If abroad, they go through consular processing in their home country. Processing takes 12-24 months. You can petition both parents simultaneously. Note: If you're only a green card holder (not a citizen), you cannot sponsor parents—only a U.S. citizen can petition for parents. Many NYC residents naturalize specifically to bring their parents to the U.S.
Family immigration attorney fees in NYC vary by case type: Marriage green cards (I-130 + I-485) typically cost $3,000-$6,000 including petition, adjustment, affidavit of support, and interview preparation. K-1 fiancé visas cost $2,500-$4,500 for I-129F petition and adjustment after marriage. I-130 family petitions alone (without adjustment) cost $1,500-$3,000. Consular processing cases cost $2,000-$4,000. Removal of conditions (I-751) costs $1,500-$3,000. These fees don't include USCIS filing fees: I-130 is $675, I-485 is $1,760, I-129F is $675, I-751 is $715. Complex cases (prior immigration violations, criminal history, prior denials) may cost more. We offer book consultations for NYC families and provide transparent fee agreements upfront with payment plans available.
USCIS requires extensive evidence that your marriage is genuine, not just for immigration benefits. NYC couples should provide: (1) Joint financial documents: bank accounts showing both names for 2+ years, credit cards, auto loans, mortgage/lease in both names. (2) NYC-specific documents: utility bills (Con Edison, National Grid), NYC tax returns filed jointly for 2-3 years, NYC health insurance showing spouse as beneficiary. (3) Cohabitation proof: current lease/deed, correspondence from banks/government addressed to both spouses at same NYC address. (4) Relationship evidence: wedding photos, honeymoon receipts, photos together throughout relationship, affidavits from friends/family who attended wedding, proof of trips together, joint gym memberships, restaurant receipts. (5) Communication: emails, text messages, call logs especially during any time apart. The more evidence spanning longer time periods, the stronger your case at the 26 Federal Plaza interview.
Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old, you can petition your brother or sister (F4 category) regardless of their age or marital status. However, F4 is the lowest family preference category with the longest wait times. Current processing: 15-16 years for most countries, 25+ years for Philippines and Mexico. You file Form I-130 now to establish your sibling's priority date—the earlier you file, the sooner they can immigrate. Once the priority date becomes current (after the long wait), your sibling can apply for an immigrant visa or adjust status if in the U.S. You must also file I-864 Affidavit of Support. Many NYC residents petition siblings early (even when siblings are young) knowing the long wait. Alternative: if your sibling has extraordinary ability, advanced degree, or can get employer sponsorship, employment-based green cards may be much faster (2-6 years).
When you get a marriage-based green card while married less than 2 years, USCIS issues a conditional (2-year) green card. To remove conditions and get a permanent 10-year green card, you must file Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) during the 90-day window before your 2-year anniversary. NYC couples file jointly if still married, showing continued bona fide marriage with updated joint documents: tax returns, bank statements, lease, insurance, birth certificates of children born during the 2 years. USCIS may waive the interview or schedule one at 26 Federal Plaza. If divorced before filing I-751, you can file for waiver with divorce decree. Processing takes 12-24 months. After I-751 approval, you receive a permanent green card valid for 10 years and can apply for citizenship 3 years after your original green card date.
Yes. When your spouse files Form I-485 (adjustment of status) in NYC, they can simultaneously file Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization). Most applicants receive their EAD (Employment Authorization Document) within 3-6 months of filing, allowing them to work for any U.S. employer in NYC. The EAD is typically valid for 1-2 years and can be renewed if the green card takes longer. Your spouse can also file Form I-131 (advance parole) to travel internationally while the I-485 is pending—most receive combo cards (EAD + travel document combined). This is especially important for NYC professionals who need to work or international families who need to travel. Without EAD, your spouse cannot legally work in the U.S. With EAD, they have complete work authorization and can change employers freely, unlike H-1B or L-1 visa holders who are tied to specific employers.
Whether you're sponsoring your spouse, fiancé, parent, or child, our experienced NYC family immigration attorneys are here to guide you through every step of the process.