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Zavala Texas Law

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Green Card Family-Based Immigrant Visas

Green Card Family-Based Immigrant Visas

Two groups of family-based immigrant visa categories, including immediate relatives and family preference categories, are provided under the provisions of United States immigration law, specifically the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

Immediate Relative Immigrant Visas (Unlimited): These visa types are based on a close family relationship with a United States (U.S.) citizen described as an Immediate Relative (IR). The number of immigrants in these categories is not limited to each fiscal year. Immediate relative visa types include:

  • IR-1: Spouse of a U.S. Citizen – Learn More
  • IR-2: Unmarried Child Under 21 Years of Age of a U.S. Citizen
  • IR-3: Orphan adopted abroad by a U.S. Citizen – Learn More
  • IR-4: Orphan to be adopted in the U.S. by a U.S. citizen – Learn More
  • IR-5: Parent of a U.S. Citizen who is at least 21 years old

Family Preference Immigrant Visas (Limited): These visa types are for specific, more distant, family relationships with a U.S. citizen and some specified relationships with a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR). There are fiscal year numerical limitations on family preference immigrants, shown at the end of each category. The family preference categories are:

Family First Preference (F1): Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and their minor children, if any. (23,400)

Family Second Preference (F2): Spouses, minor children, and unmarried sons and daughters (age 21 and over) of LPRs. At least seventy-seven percent of all visas available for this category will go to the spouses and children; the remainder is allocated to unmarried sons and daughters. (114,200)

Family Third Preference (F3): Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and their spouses and minor children. (23,400)

Family Fourth Preference (F4): Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens, and their spouses and minor children, provided the U.S. citizens are at least 21 years of age. (65,000)

Note: Grandparents, aunts, uncles, in-laws, and cousins cannot sponsor a relative for immigration.

To understand Green Card eligibility and the timeline, please read this article to help explain it “Green Card Process”.

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Once you establish which category you can apply under you can now begin the process with United States Customs and Immigration Services. Factors to consider when applying for a Green card is whether the beneficiary is currently in the USA legally or not. If the person applying for the Green Card entered illegally they must ask for a waiver to excuse their unlawful presence. Without this waiver they cannot be granted Legal Permanent Resident Status.

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Katie Waito
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Charles and his team were great to work with. Good communication. It was a long process for me , work visa, marriage then a greencard but they continued to follow through and would even further explain things that I didn’t understand. Quick replies to emails and even texts. Definitely happy I went with him . Thank you guys!!
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Perla Vidal
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We are incredibly grateful for the representation our family received from this office. Throughout our case, we valued their accessibility, responsiveness, honesty, compassion, and professionalism. Immigration is an incredibly complicated and stressful process, and having an attorney who was directly involved and attentive to the details gave us an additional sense of confidence and security. I also appreciated the transparency regarding fees. Immigration can be an expensive and emotionally overwhelming process, particularly in the current political climate, where fear can easily influence people's decisions. We never felt pressured into unnecessary services or that our concerns were being used to sell us something. The pricing was straightforward, and we felt that we were being advised based on what our cases actually required. No experience is perfect, and there were some bumps in the road. However, we had the right legal counsel on our side. What matters most to our family is that both of my parents' adjustments of status were successfully resolved, and one didn’t even require an immigration interview! I don't think I can fully express what that means to us. Our lives will be different because of what this office was able to do for us. For that, we will always be deeply grateful. Thank you to attorney Charles Zavala and the entire team for representing our family and helping us reach a place we once weren't sure was possible. And, not to sound like a Super Bowl winning quarterback celebrating a victory, but… we’re going to Disney! Lol More importantly, my parents are going to be able to join their grandchildren on trips and make memories together for the rest of our lives.
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yeri Cortez
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Si lo recomiendo Excelente abogado 100% confiable me ayudo mucho en lo que necesitaba y pudo resolver todas mis dudas fue muy amable y me atendió antes de mi cita.
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Fernanda Rodriguez
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Excelente servicio! Mi más sincero agradecimiento al abogado Charles por su profesionalismo y asesoría durante todo el proceso de mi visa TN, que resultó aprobada con éxito. Recomiendo ampliamente su trabajo al 100%
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Leidy Suarez
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Excelente servicio, del abogado Charles Zavala quiero agradecerle por el apoyo incondicional y su equipo personal, muy buenas personas!! Gracias muchas gracias que Dios los bendiga a todos una victoria ganada con mi residencia permanente! Lo recomiendo muy bonita experiencia
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William Ramey
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Charles is a great attorney. I strongly recommend him for all of your legal needs. Easily 5 star!
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Alex Rivera
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Great attorney. Very attentive with my case. He followed till the very end. I will recommend him to anyone who has immigration case 100%. So that means I still will call for his services. In the future if is necessary
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Mitchell Dayana Osorio verdecia
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La experiencia como abogado magnífica lucho el caso hasta el ultimo minuto ,excelente ser humano , yo tengo la mejor experiencia con el abogado charles zavala , en mi caso las cosas no salieron como esperábamos pero ahi estuvo el en todo momentos con su cliente... agradecida con usted .... lo abogados no son dioses que pueden hacer magia y poner las cosas a el favor del cliente pero que tu veas quw tu abogado esta ahi en todo momentos analizando estrategias ,buscando algo para poder ayudar a su cliente eso es un buen abogado y eso yo lo viví con el
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Sally Rosales
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If I could give 100 stars ⭐️ I would do it ! Mr Charles Zavala not only is the best lawyer, he is a great human being, he cares for his clients and families He is very knowledgeable and professional. He always responded quickly and with clear answers, straight to the point, and clarified all our doubts. He helped us with my brother’s case, he was detained by ice, his green card was expired and his case was very difficult, with other problems, my family was devastated. He and his team, worked together with us, always explaining step by step of the process, he always maintained good communication with me, and never made feel like I was a number, he treated us with respect. Today he called us to congratulate us because we won the case and my brother is not going to be deported 🙏. He is the one who won for us 🙏Congratulations Mr Zavala and team specially Samia ! After months of anguish and crying, my mother and family can finally breathe without the pain in our heart. Thanks to Mr Zavala the best immigration attorney in the world. If you have a family member or friend in this situation and need an immigration lawyer, don’t look any further, he is the best. He also gave us a pay plan, and is affordable. THANK YOU MR CHARLES ZAVALA, AND TEAM SAMIA GOD BLESS YOU ALL !

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If you or a loved one is interested in becoming a Legal Permanent Resident, please feel free to Contact Us and schedule a consultation. Our office can help with the entire process and ensure you do everything correctly.