Reuniting families is at the heart of what we do. Our immigration attorneys guide spouses, parents, children, and extended family members through marriage-based green cards, K-1 fiancé visas, family reunification petitions, and every step of the family immigration process with care and precision.
Family-based immigration is the cornerstone of the U.S. immigration system. Each year, more people obtain lawful permanent residence through family relationships than through any other pathway. At Mandi Law Group in Albany, our immigration attorneys help families throughout the Capital District and greater New York navigate the complex petition, documentation, and interview process to bring loved ones to the United States — or help those already here secure their permanent status.
Whether you are a U.S. citizen seeking to sponsor your spouse, a lawful permanent resident petitioning for your unmarried child, or a fiancé planning to bring your partner to the United States on a K-1 visa, the process involves detailed paperwork, strict evidentiary requirements, and adherence to specific timelines. Errors or omissions in a petition can lead to significant delays, Requests for Evidence (RFEs), or outright denials.
Our attorneys understand the emotional weight that family immigration cases carry. Being separated from a spouse, parent, or child by an international border — and by a complex bureaucratic process — is deeply stressful. We prepare every case with meticulous attention to detail, communicate regularly about case status and processing updates, and advocate strongly to bring families together as quickly as the process allows.
From the initial petition through the USCIS or consular interview and beyond, we handle every aspect of your family immigration case — including marriage green cards, fiancé visas, family reunification through the preference system, removal of conditions on residence, Affidavits of Support, and waivers of inadmissibility when prior issues complicate the process. Our goal is to make the path to reunification as clear and efficient as possible.
Timing is critical in family immigration cases. Priority dates, filing deadlines, and visa availability can change monthly. Contact our office to discuss your options and start the process as soon as possible.
(518) 698-0347Our family immigration practice covers every pathway available under U.S. law to bring families together. Each case is handled with the thoroughness and care it deserves.
Marriage to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident is one of the most common pathways to permanent residence. The process involves filing an I-130 Petition for Alien Relative, followed by either an I-485 Adjustment of Status (if the foreign spouse is already in the U.S.) or consular processing abroad. For marriages less than two years old at the time of approval, the foreign spouse receives conditional permanent residence and must file an I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions within the 90-day window before the second anniversary. Our attorneys guide couples through every step, including gathering bona fide marriage evidence, preparing for the USCIS interview, and ensuring that no detail is overlooked.
The K-1 fiancé visa allows a U.S. citizen to bring their foreign-national fiancé to the United States for the purpose of marriage. After entry, the couple must marry within 90 days, and the foreign-national spouse can then apply for adjustment of status to permanent residence. The K-1 process involves filing an I-129F petition with USCIS, followed by a consular interview abroad. Children of the fiancé may also qualify for K-2 derivative visas. Our attorneys handle the entire petition process, prepare couples for the consular interview, and advise on the transition from K-1 status to permanent residence after the marriage takes place.
U.S. immigration law establishes a preference system for family-based immigration that determines when a visa becomes available for a given relationship category. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens — spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents — are not subject to annual visa caps and can generally proceed without lengthy waits. Other family relationships fall into preference categories with annual numerical limits and per-country caps that can result in multi-year waiting periods. Our attorneys help families navigate priority dates, visa bulletin tracking, the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) to prevent children from aging out, and the overall timeline for reunification.
The I-130 Petition for Alien Relative is the foundational form for nearly all family-based immigration cases. U.S. citizens can petition for spouses, children (married and unmarried), parents, and siblings. Lawful permanent residents can petition for spouses and unmarried children. Each petition requires thorough documentation of the qualifying family relationship and, for most categories, an I-864 Affidavit of Support demonstrating that the petitioner meets the income requirements to sponsor the beneficiary. Our attorneys prepare comprehensive petition packages, compile supporting evidence, and ensure that every requirement is met to minimize processing delays.
Click a service to learn more — we link to the dedicated pages when available.
For spouses of U.S. Citizens and LPRs
Includes sponsorship for spouses of citizens and lawful permanent residents through I-130 petitions, adjustment of status, and consular processing.
Learn MoreFor engaged partners of U.S. citizens
Petition preparation for the I-129F fiancé visa, consular interview guidance, and post-marriage adjustment of status to permanent residence.
Learn MoreRelative sponsorship applications
Comprehensive preparation and filing of I-130 petitions for spouses, children, parents, and siblings, including supporting documentation and affidavits.
Call to discuss this serviceChange to permanent resident status
Guidance through the I-485 application process for individuals already in the United States, including employment authorization and advance parole documents.
Learn MoreAt U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad
Coordination with the National Visa Center and U.S. consular offices abroad for immigrant visa interviews when the beneficiary is outside the United States.
Learn MoreFor conditional permanent residents
Filing the I-751 petition to remove conditions on residence within the required 90-day window, including evidence compilation and joint filing waivers.
Learn MoreFor abused spouses and children
Confidential self-petition filings under the Violence Against Women Act for spouses, children, and parents who have been abused by a U.S. citizen or LPR family member.
Call to discuss this serviceProtection under the Child Status Protection Act
Strategies to prevent children from aging out of immigration benefits and guidance on the Child Status Protection Act to preserve eligibility.
Learn MoreFor U.S. Citizens sponsoring parents
Immediate relative petitions for parents of U.S. citizens age 21 and older, with no annual visa cap and typically faster processing timelines.
Call to discuss this serviceSpecialized expertise in every aspect of family immigration law, with detailed guides and proven strategies for families in the Capital District and New York.
90-Day Marriage Window
Comprehensive guide to bringing your foreign fiancé to the U.S. for marriage, including timeline expectations, relationship evidence, and interview preparation.
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visas
Complete pathway to permanent residence for spouses of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, including conditional residence guidance.
I-485 Application Process
Stay in the U.S. while your green card processes. Complete guide to I-485 concurrent filing with work authorization and travel documents.
NVC & Embassy Interviews
Master the National Visa Center phase and embassy interviews. Comprehensive guide to document preparation and interview success strategies.
90-Day Filing Deadline
Critical process for removing conditions on 2-year marriage green cards. Expert guidance through evidence requirements, joint filing, and divorce waivers.
Age-Out Protection
Protect children from aging out of immigration benefits. Expert CSPA calculations, derivative benefits analysis, and strategic family planning.
Our family immigration practice provides dedicated legal representation to keep families together, covering every pathway from engagement to permanent residence and beyond.
Bringing Families Together
Dedicated advocacy to reunite you with the people who matter most
Family immigration cases involve critical deadlines, documentation requirements, and financial obligations. Understanding these factors from the outset helps ensure a smoother process and a stronger case.
Many family immigration categories involve long wait times due to annual visa caps and per-country limits. Filing early is critical, as the priority date is established when USCIS receives the petition. Delays in filing can add years to the reunification timeline. Our attorneys help families file promptly and track their priority dates against the monthly visa bulletin.
If the beneficiary is already in the United States, it is critical to maintain lawful immigration status while the petition is pending. Falling out of status can trigger bars to admissibility and complicate or derail the adjustment of status process. Our attorneys advise on status maintenance, extensions, and available protections.
USCIS scrutinizes family-based petitions — especially marriage-based cases — for evidence that the relationship is genuine and not entered into primarily for immigration purposes. Comprehensive documentation including joint financial records, shared residence evidence, photographs, correspondence, and affidavits from family and friends strengthens the petition significantly.
The I-864 Affidavit of Support is a legally binding contract requiring the petitioner to demonstrate income at or above 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. If the petitioner does not meet the income threshold, a joint sponsor may be needed. Failure to satisfy this requirement is a common basis for visa denial. Our attorneys review your financial situation early and identify solutions.
Eligibility to petition depends on the petitioner's immigration status and the relationship to the beneficiary. Below is a summary of the most common categories.
From your first consultation to the moment your family is reunited, our attorneys follow a structured process designed to maximize the strength of your case.
We begin with a thorough consultation to understand your family situation, assess eligibility for the appropriate immigration pathway, identify potential obstacles such as prior visa denials or inadmissibility issues, and develop a personalized strategy.
Our attorneys compile all required forms, gather supporting documentation — including evidence of the bona fide family relationship, financial documents for the Affidavit of Support, and any necessary waivers — and prepare you for what to expect at each stage.
We file your petition and supporting applications with USCIS or the appropriate consulate, track receipt notices and processing times, and respond promptly to any Requests for Evidence (RFEs) or Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs).
We prepare you for the USCIS interview or consular interview, accompany you when permitted, and guide you through post-approval steps — including conditional residence requirements, travel documentation, and the path to eventual citizenship.
Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about family-based immigration. Every situation is unique — consult with our attorneys for guidance specific to your case.
If you are a U.S. citizen, your spouse is classified as an immediate relative and is not subject to annual visa caps. The overall timeline is typically 12 to 18 months, though processing times fluctuate. If you are a lawful permanent resident, your spouse falls under the second preference (F2A) category and may face longer wait times depending on visa availability. Our attorneys provide estimated timelines based on current processing times and your specific circumstances.
Both pathways lead to permanent residence, but they differ in timeline, cost, and procedure. The K-1 fiancé visa requires marriage within 90 days of entry and a subsequent adjustment of status application. Marrying abroad and applying for a CR-1 or IR-1 immigrant visa means your spouse enters the U.S. as a permanent resident from day one. The best choice depends on your timeline, where you want the marriage to take place, and other personal factors. Our attorneys can compare both options for your situation.
If your marriage was less than two years old when your green card was approved, you receive conditional permanent residence valid for two years. Within the 90-day window before the second anniversary of receiving conditional status, you must file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. This petition requires evidence that the marriage is ongoing and bona fide. If the marriage has ended, you may file a waiver of the joint filing requirement. Missing this deadline can result in termination of your permanent resident status.
The petitioner (or joint sponsor) must file Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, demonstrating household income at or above 125% of the federal poverty guidelines for the household size (100% for active-duty military). The Affidavit of Support is a legally enforceable contract — the sponsor agrees to maintain the beneficiary at the required income level until the beneficiary becomes a U.S. citizen, works 40 qualifying quarters, departs permanently, or dies. If income is insufficient, assets may be considered, or a joint sponsor may be used.
A prior visa denial does not automatically prevent approval of a new petition, but the reasons for the denial may be relevant. If the denial was based on a finding of fraud or misrepresentation, it can trigger a permanent bar to admissibility that may require a waiver (Form I-601). Other grounds of inadmissibility — such as unlawful presence, certain criminal convictions, or prior removal orders — can also affect eligibility. Full disclosure of immigration history is essential, and our attorneys assess the impact of any prior denials during the initial consultation.
Yes. Following the Supreme Court's 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, same-sex marriages are recognized under federal immigration law. A U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident in a legally valid same-sex marriage can petition for their spouse through the same family-based immigration process as any other married couple. The same documentation and evidentiary requirements apply.
When a child turns 21, they may 'age out' of certain immigration categories — for example, moving from an immediate relative classification to a family preference category with longer wait times. The Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) provides some relief by allowing certain applicants to subtract the time USCIS took to process the petition from the child's age. Our attorneys evaluate CSPA eligibility early in the process and advise on strategies to protect against aging out.
We recommend bringing copies of the following: marriage certificate or proof of relationship, birth certificates for all family members involved, passport and visa pages, any prior immigration filings and approval or denial notices, I-94 arrival/departure records, evidence of the bona fide relationship (joint bank accounts, lease agreements, photographs, correspondence), recent tax returns and pay stubs (for Affidavit of Support), and any correspondence from USCIS or immigration courts. Bringing these documents helps our attorneys provide a thorough initial assessment.
Our immigration practice covers the full spectrum of matters before USCIS, immigration courts, and consulates.
Our attorneys provide comprehensive legal services across multiple practice areas.
Strategic visa solutions for employers and professionals, including H-1B specialty workers, L-1 transfers, EB-5 investors, and PERM labor certification.
Guiding lawful permanent residents through the naturalization process, from application preparation and test readiness to interview coaching and document review.
Aggressive defense for individuals facing removal proceedings, including asylum claims, cancellation of removal, and appeals before immigration courts.
Compassionate representation for individuals seeking protection from persecution, including asylum applications, refugee processing, and CAT protection claims.
Comprehensive immigration compliance solutions for businesses, including I-9 audits, global mobility programs, and immigration policy development.
Experienced advocacy for individuals seeking waivers of inadmissibility, including I-601 hardship waivers, I-601A provisional waivers, and fraud waivers.
Dedicated legal support for crime victims seeking U-visa immigration relief, including certification assistance, application filing, and family derivative petitions.
Skilled appellate representation before the BIA and federal courts, including motions to reopen, motions to reconsider, and appeals of adverse immigration decisions.
Whether you are sponsoring a spouse, bringing a fiancé to the United States, or petitioning for a parent or child, our experienced immigration attorneys are here to guide you through every step. Every consultation is confidential and without obligation.