At Anna Korneeva Law we handle various
immigration cases
- Marriage to a U.S. Citizen
- Sponsorship of family members
- Fiancées
- Becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen
- Violence Against Women’s Act
- Consular processing
- Widows
we will do it together
A family immigration lawyer helps families with the legalities of bringing loved ones to the United States or securing lawful status for family members who are already here. Family immigration law governs the relationships and eligibility requirements that determine who may petition and qualify. We guide families through every stage of the family-based immigration process.
Family immigration is one of the most emotionally significant areas of law we practice. Behind every petition is a real family, real relationships, and real stakes. Attorney Korneeva brings a personal understanding to this work. As an immigrant herself, she knows firsthand what it means to build a life in a new country, and she brings that perspective to every family she represents.
Family-based immigration in the United States is built on the legal relationship between the immigrant seeking status and a qualifying family member who is either a U.S. citizen or a green card holder. That relationship, how it is classified, and what it means for timing and eligibility, is the foundation of every family immigration case our law firm handles.
The immigration system divides family cases into two broad tracks.
These preference categories are subject to annual limits and can involve significant waiting periods depending on the applicant’s country of origin and the specific category that applies to their relationship.
Understanding which track applies to your family member and what the current processing landscape looks like is one of the first things Attorney Korneeva addresses in every consultation.
Marriage to a U.S. citizen or green card holder is one of the most common pathways in family immigration law. But it is also one of the most carefully scrutinized. Immigration authorities examine marriage-based petitions closely to confirm that the relationship is genuine and that the marriage was not entered into solely for immigration purposes.
A U.S. citizen married to a foreign national may petition for their spouse as an immediate relative, which means no waiting period applies for a visa to become available. That process involves filing a petition for an alien relative, followed by either consular processing if the spouse is abroad or adjustment of status if the spouse is already lawfully present in the United States.
For couples who are not yet married, the K-1 visa provides a legal pathway for a foreign national to enter the United States to marry a U.S. citizen. However, the couple must marry within 90 days of arrival, after which the foreign national may apply for adjustment of status to obtain a green card.
Attorney Korneeva guides couples through the K-1 process to ensure documentation is thorough and every deadline is met. Schedule your consultation today.
Family immigration frequently involves petitions for a parent, child, or minor children, and the eligibility rules vary depending on the nature of the relationship and the circumstances of the case.
For instance, a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old may petition for a parent to immigrate to the United States. Parents of U.S. citizens are classified as immediate relatives, meaning no visa wait is required. Meanwhile, petitions involving a child or minor children require careful attention to age and legal status. Under the Child Status Protection Act, a child’s age may be locked in at the time a petition is filed, protecting minor children from aging out of eligibility while their cases are pending.
For adopted children, additional documentation is required to establish the legal adoption and to satisfy the requirements under immigration law. Cases involving an orphan follow a separate legal pathway governed by international adoption and immigration provisions.
While a grandparent does not have a direct petition path under U.S. immigration law, there are circumstances in which broader family immigration planning can account for a grandparent’s situation. Attorney Korneeva handles these cases with the thoroughness and sensitivity they require.
Sibling petitions fall under the fourth family preference category, reserved for brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens. This category is subject to annual numerical caps and often involves the longest wait times in the family immigration system, sometimes extending over a decade, depending on the country of origin.
Filing early matters, despite the long wait. The priority date is established when the petition is properly filed, and that date determines a petitioner’s place in line. Attorney Korneeva advises families to begin the sibling petition process as soon as possible to secure the priority date while they continue planning for the future.
Another common source of confusion in family immigration involves in-laws. A U.S. citizen or permanent resident cannot directly petition for in-laws as a qualifying category. However, once a spouse obtains permanent residency or citizenship, that spouse may then petition for their own parents or siblings through the appropriate channels.
The immigration system treats married sons and daughters and unmarried sons and daughters as separate categories. And that distinction has significant consequences for eligibility, classification, and wait times.
Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens who are 21 years of age or older fall into the second family preference category. While they do not qualify as immediate relatives due to their age, they generally benefit from shorter processing times than other preference categories.
Unmarried sons and daughters of permanent residents fall into a separate subcategory within the second preference, with its own wait times. But married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens fall into the third family preference category.
Marriage changes the classification entirely and typically results in a longer wait for a visa to become available. So, understanding whether a son or daughter’s marital status affects their category is an important part of building a realistic family immigration strategy.
The family immigration process begins with the filing of a petition for an alien relative, commonly known as Form I-130. This petition is filed by a qualifying U.S. citizen or permanent resident on behalf of the family member seeking status. It establishes the legal relationship and initiates the formal process of bringing that family member to the United States or securing their status here.
Once the petition is approved and a visa becomes available, the case moves in one of two directions.
Adjustment of status is often the preferred pathway when available. It keeps families together during the process and avoids the uncertainty that can accompany consular processing abroad. However, eligibility for adjustment of status depends on how a person entered the United States and whether they have maintained lawful status.
The process also involves extensive documentation, financial sponsorship through an affidavit of support, medical examinations, background checks, and an in-person interview. Our law office prepares clients thoroughly so that nothing is missed and every step moves forward as efficiently as possible.
The goal of most family immigration cases is the grant of a green card, which confers permanent residency in the United States. Becoming a permanent resident is a significant milestone that provides the right to live and work in the United States indefinitely, travel and return freely, and pursue a path to citizenship over time.
However, when the marriage through which the green card was obtained is less than two years old at the time of approval, the green card is issued on a conditional basis. The permanent resident must then file to remove those conditions within a specific window before the conditional green card expires.
Failing to file on time can result in the loss of permanent resident status, and Attorney Korneeva guides clients through this step with the same care she brings to every step of the process.
For clients who have obtained permanent residency and wish to pursue citizenship, our law firm also handles naturalization cases. The full journey is one our law office is proud to support from beginning to end.
If you are looking for a Cincinnati family immigration lawyer who will take the time to understand your family’s situation and build a legal strategy around your goals, the Law Firm of Anna Korneeva is ready to help.
Attorney Korneeva is an experienced and dedicated family immigration attorney who combines legal precision with genuine personal commitment to every family she represents. We offer services in English, Spanish, and Russian, so that language is never a barrier between your family and the legal help it needs.
Family immigration law is detailed, deadline-driven, and deeply personal. Having an experienced family immigration attorney in your corner from the start makes a meaningful difference in how the process unfolds.
Your family’s future in the United States deserves the expertise and dedication our law office delivers every day. Book your consultation now.
The timeline depends entirely on the relationship between the petitioner and the family member seeking status, as well as the family member’s country of origin. Immediate relative cases, which cover spouses, minor children, and parents of U.S. citizens, tend to move the fastest because they are not subject to annual numerical caps. Family preference cases can take significantly longer, sometimes many years.
A permanent resident can petition for a spouse and for unmarried sons and daughters. However, green card holders cannot petition for parents, siblings, or married children. Those relationships require the petitioner to be a U.S. citizen.
Consular processing applies when the family member seeking a green card is living outside the United States. The case is handled through a U.S. embassy or consulate in the family member’s home country, and the individual receives an immigrant visa to enter the United States as a permanent resident.
Adjustment of status applies when the family member is already lawfully present in the United States and allows them to apply for a green card without leaving the country. Each pathway has its own requirements and timelines, and our law firm will help you determine which option is best for your family.
In some cases, a family member who entered without authorization may still be eligible for a green card, particularly if they are an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen. However, unlawful entry and periods of unlawful presence can trigger bars to admission that must be carefully addressed. Every case is different, and an honest assessment from an experienced family immigration attorney is essential before any steps are taken.
Technically, the law does not require you to have an attorney to file a family immigration petition. However, family immigration cases involve complex eligibility rules, strict documentation requirements, and deadlines that can have permanent consequences if missed. A single error on a petition can result in delays, denials, or complications that are difficult and costly to correct.
Working with a family immigration lawyer from the beginning significantly reduces that risk and gives your family the best possible foundation for a successful outcome. Contact the Law Firm of Anna Korneeva today to schedule a consultation and find out how we can help.
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