Orlando is home to a steady stream of family-based immigration cases — international couples meeting through Disney, UCF, Lockheed Martin, and the local healthcare and hospitality industries; long-time residents bringing parents and siblings; and adjustment-of-status filings for spouses already in the U.S. We have handled all of it from our downtown Orlando office since 1996.
Family-based immigration cases we handle in Orlando
Family-based immigration is the largest category of green cards issued in the United States, and the Orlando area generates a high volume — driven by the metro's diverse population, large hospitality and healthcare workforces, and ongoing family reunification from across Latin America and the Caribbean. We routinely file family cases for clients in Winter Park, Lake Mary, Kissimmee, Sanford, Lakeland, and across Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties.
The case path depends on whether your relative is in the U.S. or abroad. Adjustment of status (I-130 + I-485 filed concurrently) keeps your relative in the U.S. during processing. Consular processing (I-130 followed by an interview at a U.S. consulate abroad) is used when your relative is outside the country. The Orlando jurisdiction commonly takes 10–14 months from filing to adjustment-of-status interview at the USCIS Orlando Field Office on Sand Lake Road.
For fiancés living abroad, the K-1 visa is a popular path: your fiancé enters the U.S., you marry within 90 days, and they adjust status. K-3 spouse visas and direct consular processing are alternatives. We compare timelines and costs at the consultation so you choose the path that fits your situation.
A clear process, from first call to final approval
Free consultation
We map out family eligibility and realistic timelines for each option.
Document gathering
We tell you exactly what to collect and review every document before submission.
Filing & advocacy
We file all forms, respond to RFEs, and prepare you for the Orlando interview.
Approval & beyond
After approval we handle removal of conditions and the path to citizenship.
What clients say
Mr. Gustavo Vargas was my lawyer twice, years ago for my immigration process and now for my husband's. He is extremely Professional and knowledgeable about the entire process. Both times it was a success story! Highly recommended. Thank you so much.alba inacio
A great service and organisation. He explained the process many times and provided detailed instructions every step of the way. When an issue occurred in the process (and through Covid) Mr Vargas clearly detailed what needed to be done and how.Ian Collins
Great service and I'm glad I paid my money to have his guidance.
Gustavo Z. Vargas, Esq.
Gustavo Vargas has handled family-based immigration cases in Orlando since 1996. He is Florida Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law, born in Lima, Peru, and bilingual in English and Spanish. He earned his J.D. at Florida State University in 1992.
Family immigration in Orlando — questions we hear most
How long does a marriage-based green card take through the Orlando USCIS office?
For spouses already in the U.S. who entered legally, the typical timeline from concurrent I-130/I-485 filing to interview is 10–14 months in the Orlando jurisdiction. Cases needing additional evidence or RFE responses can run longer. We monitor your case file continuously and intervene with case inquiries or congressional liaison when normal processing times are exceeded.
My spouse and I live in Kissimmee — does that change anything?
No. The Orlando USCIS Field Office on Sand Lake Road serves all of Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties, including Kissimmee. The procedure and timeline are identical. We have an extensive Kissimmee client base; see our Kissimmee page.
Will we have to do an interview together?
Yes — adjustment-of-status interviews for marriage-based cases are conducted with both spouses present. The officer asks about your relationship, daily life, and shared finances to evaluate the marriage's bona fides. We prepare you both with a mock interview using the questions officers actually ask, and we accompany you if you wish.
My fiancé lives in Brazil/Colombia/Venezuela. Should we use K-1 or get married first abroad?
It depends. K-1 averages 9–15 months and includes adjustment of status after marriage in the U.S. Marrying abroad and using consular processing for an immediate-relative spouse case is often a comparable timeline overall and skips the second adjustment-of-status step. We compare both paths for your country and circumstances at the consultation.
What if I sponsored my spouse before and we got divorced — can I sponsor a new spouse?
Yes, with one important rule: you cannot generally sponsor a new spouse within 5 years of obtaining a marriage-based green card from the prior marriage unless you can show by clear and convincing evidence that the prior marriage was not entered into to evade immigration laws. We evaluate the strength of that showing at the consultation.
Ready to talk about your case?
Free 30-minute consultation. No obligation. Confidential. Available in English or Spanish.
Visit our Orlando office
545 Delaney Ave, Building 4
Orlando, FL 32801
(407) 835-1009
info@immlawcenter.com
Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. 2 miles from the Orlando Immigration Court.
Photo credit: Photo by JoshuaWoroniecki on Pixabay
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