Florida Board Certified in Immigration & Nationality Law (Florida Bar Member #7439). Reuniting families is the heart of U.S. immigration law. Whether you are sponsoring a spouse, a parent, a child, or a sibling — and whether they are in the U.S. or abroad — we have managed the path to permanent residency through family sponsorship for nearly three decades.
Who can sponsor whom
U.S. immigration law splits family-based cases into two tracks:
Immediate relatives (no annual cap)
- Spouses of U.S. citizens (IR-1, CR-1) — see our dedicated marriage-based green card page, or read the green card through marriage: step-by-step guide for Florida residents. Same-sex marriages qualify on identical terms; see our LGBTQ immigration — asylum and same-sex marriage green cards page for couples who want a confidential walk-through.
- Unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens (IR-2, CR-2)
- Parents of U.S. citizens age 21+ (IR-5)
These cases move as fast as USCIS can process them — typically 10–14 months from filing to interview in the Orlando jurisdiction. For a walk-through written for spouses of U.S. citizens, read how the green card through marriage process works from filing to interview.
Family preference (annual caps; multi-year waits)
- F1 — Unmarried sons/daughters of U.S. citizens (~7-year wait)
- F2A — Spouses and unmarried children under 21 of LPRs (~2-year wait, varies)
- F2B — Unmarried sons/daughters age 21+ of LPRs (~6-year wait)
- F3 — Married sons/daughters of U.S. citizens (~14-year wait)
- F4 — Brothers/sisters of U.S. citizens age 21+ (~13-year wait, longer for Mexico/Philippines/India)
Wait times come from the State Department Visa Bulletin, which is updated monthly.
Where the case is processed
If your relative is already in the U.S. and entered legally, we usually file Form I-130 concurrently with Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status), Form I-765 (work permit), and Form I-131 (Advance Parole). The case stays at USCIS and ends with an interview at the Orlando Field Office.
For families across the Orlando metro, our family immigration attorney in Orlando page covers local processing details and the USCIS Orlando Field Office.
If your relative is abroad, we file Form I-130 alone, wait for approval, then the case transfers to the National Visa Center for fee payment and document collection, and finally to the U.S. consulate in your relative's country for the immigrant visa interview.
Special situations we handle
- K-1 Fiancée Visa — bring a fiancé to the U.S. to marry within 90 days, then adjust status. The right choice for couples who are engaged but not yet married.
- K-3 spouse visa — alternative consular path for spouses already abroad.
- Form I-751 — removal of conditions on a 2-year green card, including waivers for divorce, abuse, or extreme hardship.
- Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) — including joint sponsors when the petitioner's income is below 125% of the federal poverty line.
- VAWA — self-petition for abused spouses, parents, and children of U.S. citizens or LPRs.
- Widow(er) petitions — preserving family-based eligibility after a U.S. citizen spouse passes.
Talk to a Florida Board Certified Immigration Attorney
Free 30-minute consultation. No obligation. Confidential. Available in English or Spanish. Serving all of Central Florida from our Orlando office since 1996.
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My spouse and I are both in the U.S. — how do we file?
If your spouse entered the U.S. legally and you are a U.S. citizen, the typical filing is Form I-130 (petition) + Form I-485 (adjustment of status) + Form I-765 (work authorization) + Form I-131 (Advance Parole) submitted concurrently. Your spouse can stay in the U.S. throughout, and after roughly 4–8 months will receive a work permit while waiting for the green card interview at the Orlando Field Office.
My fiancé is abroad. K-1 or just marry first?
Both work. K-1 lets your fiancé enter the U.S. and you have 90 days from arrival to marry, then adjust status. Marrying abroad and using consular processing for an immediate-relative spouse visa is often a comparable timeline overall. The right choice depends on the country, your timeline, and family circumstances. We compare both at the consultation.
Do same-sex marriages qualify?
Yes. Same-sex marriages have been recognized for federal immigration purposes since the 2013 Supreme Court decision in U.S. v. Windsor. The legal analysis and evidentiary requirements are identical to opposite-sex marriages.
My green card is "conditional" (2-year). What do I do?
You must file Form I-751 in the 90-day window before the 2-year card expires. Joint filing with your sponsoring spouse is the default, but waivers exist if the marriage ended in divorce, you suffered abuse, or removal would cause extreme hardship. Missing the deadline can lead to termination of status and removal proceedings.
What if my U.S. citizen sponsor has been my abuser?
You may be eligible to self-petition under VAWA (Violence Against Women Act, which applies regardless of gender). VAWA self-petitions allow abused spouses, parents, and children of U.S. citizens or LPRs to seek a green card without the abuser's cooperation or knowledge. The case is highly fact-specific and benefits significantly from experienced counsel.
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