U.S. Citizens can sponsor family-based visa petitions for their spouses, children, and siblings. On the other hand, Lawful Permanent Residents have the option to sponsor their spouses and children. The duration for processing these petitions can vary widely – from just a few months to multiple years – based on the relationship between the petitioner and the beneficiary. The Visa Bulletin, updated monthly by the U.S. Department of State, provides insights into this timeline.

SMA specializes in managing all sorts of family-based petitions, irrespective of the beneficiary’s location or legal status. Whether the family member is outside the U.S., legally within the U.S. and aiming for status adjustment, or even residing in the U.S. without proper documentation, SMA expertly navigates the entire petitioning process, from filing to following up, as well as preparing clients for the consular processing phase.

If the beneficiary is located outside the U.S. and faces legal barriers due to prior deportations, criminal records, or having previously overstayed a visa, SMA provides assistance in navigating these barriers using various waiver options. For those already in the U.S. without proper documentation, there might be pathways available, such as the cancellation of removal, which is addressed through immigration court.

With a vast reservoir of experience in both consular waiver applications and removal cancellations in immigration courts, SMA Immigration Law Group is dedicated to supporting families. As long as there’s a genuine and immediate familial bond between a U.S. citizen or a Legal Permanent Resident and their close kin, SMA endeavors to facilitate their legal residency within the U.S.