Family Immigration Lawyer Serving New York City

01Services

What NYC family immigration services do we provide?

Reunite with your loved ones in New York City

1. 01

   Marriage Green Cards (CR-1/IR-1)

   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.

2. 02

   K-1 Fiancé(e) Visas

   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 the green card. Popular for NYC residents with overseas partners. It is two filings rather than one, and each sits in its own USCIS queue.

3. 03

   I-130 Family Petitions

   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.

4. 04

   Child Immigration & Adoption

   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.

03Questions clients ask

Family Immigration NYC FAQs

How do I sponsor my spouse for a green card in NYC?

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 the F-2A category, which waits for a current priority date in the monthly Visa Bulletin. 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 a bona fide marriage with joint documents, photos and correspondence. A U.S. citizen's spouse has no priority-date wait; a green card holder's spouse waits for F-2A to become current on top of the processing queue. Processing times change regularly — check the current figure for your form and service centre on the USCIS processing-times page, or ask us at your consultation.

What is a K-1 fiancé visa and how long does it take?

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 USCIS approves the I-129F, the case goes to the National Visa Center and then to a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad, where your fiancé(e) applies for the K-1 visa. After the consular interview and approval, 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. The K-1 route is two filings — the I-129F and then the I-485 after the wedding — where the CR-1 is one; which suits you depends on where you both are and whether you intend to marry abroad or in the U.S. Processing times change regularly — check the current figure for your form and service centre on the USCIS processing-times page, or ask us at your consultation.

Can I bring my parents to live in NYC?

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. You can petition both parents simultaneously. Processing times change regularly — check the current figure for your form and service centre on the USCIS processing-times page, or ask us at your consultation. 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.

How much does a family immigration lawyer cost in NYC?

Family immigration attorney fees in NYC vary by case type: marriage green cards (I-130 + I-485) include the petition, adjustment, affidavit of support, and interview preparation; K-1 fiancé visas cover the I-129F petition and adjustment after marriage; stand-alone I-130 petitions, consular processing cases, and removal of conditions (I-751) are narrower filings. Attorney fees depend on the type of case and how much of the record has to be built; flat fees are quoted in writing before work starts, and payment plans are available. Government filing fees are set by USCIS, published on uscis.gov, and listed separately from our fee. Complex cases (prior immigration violations, criminal history, prior denials) involve more work. We offer consultations for NYC families and provide transparent fee agreements upfront with payment plans available.

What documents prove a bona fide marriage for NYC couples?

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.

Can I petition my sibling from NYC and how long does it take?

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, F-4 is the lowest family preference category and carries the longest wait of any family category; for the most oversubscribed countries, including the Philippines and Mexico, the cut-off date sits decades behind. The current cut-off for your sibling's country is published each month in the Visa Bulletin at travel.state.gov. 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, an advanced degree, or can obtain employer sponsorship, an employment-based category may reach a current priority date far sooner — compare the employment and family cut-off dates for their country in the same Visa Bulletin.

What is removal of conditions (I-751) for marriage green cards?

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 the I-751, you can file for a waiver with the divorce decree. Processing times change regularly — check the current figure for your form and service centre on the USCIS processing-times page, or ask us at your consultation. 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.

Can my spouse work while waiting for their green card in NYC?

Yes. When your spouse files Form I-485 (adjustment of status) in NYC, they can simultaneously file Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization). The EAD (Employment Authorization Document) is issued once USCIS adjudicates the I-765, and allows 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.