Under United States immigration law, U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents may sponsor certain relatives for an immigrant visa. Family immigration lawyer Mustafo Davlatov helps clients obtain family visas by navigating the complex eligibility criteria and visa process. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Davlatov Law Firm, P.C. serves clients worldwide, with a primary focus on individuals and families from Central Asia and Turkey.
Mustafo Davlatov established his own immigration firm in 2021, after working for more about 10 years as an immigration lawyer in other law firms. Mustafo focuses his practice on helping individuals and families from Central Asia and Turkey receive assistance from a family immigration lawyer attorney who understands their roots, culture, and language.
Having emigrated from Tajikistan in 2009, Mustafo has special insight into the concerns and issues faced by his clients. His personal dedication to clients and extensive knowledge and skill have earned Mustafo a strong reputation as a client-focused, results-driven family immigration lawyer who is passionate about helping clients successfully navigate the complex immigration system.
He believes it is important for clients to be able to communicate in their own language whenever possible, rather than relying on translation services. Mustafo and his paralegal team members are fluent in a number of languages, including Tajik, Russian, Uzbek, and Turkish.
The United States government encourages family unification by permitting U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to obtain immigration benefits for certain relatives, allowing them to live permanently in the U.S. There are two types of family-based immigrant visas: Immediate relative visas and family preference visas.
Immediate relative visas are based on a close family relationship with a U.S. citizen. The U.S. does not limit the number of immigrants in the immediate relative category on a fiscal year basis.
Family preference visas are based on specific, more distant family relationships with a U.S. citizen or certain specified relationships with a lawful permanent resident. The number of immigrants in the family preference category is limited each fiscal year. Within this classification, eligibility is based on a priority order.
A U.S. citizen may file an immediate relative immigrant visa petition for their:
Eligible family preference categories for a U.S. citizen include:
A U.S. lawful permanent resident does not have any eligible family members in the immediate relative category. A lawful permanent resident may file a family preference immigrant visa petition for their:
A U.S. citizen may also sponsor their fiancé(e) and the child of a fiancé(e) when specific requirements are met. (A lawful permanent resident cannot sponsor a fiancé(e) but can sponsor a spouse in the family preference category, explained above.) The requirements for a K-1 visa for a fiancé(e) include:
Widows and widowers of U.S. citizens are eligible to apply for an immigrant visa in certain circumstances. In addition, certain victims of battery or extreme cruelty may petition for an immigrant visa themselves, including an abused spouse of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, abused child (unmarried and under age 21) of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, or abused parent of a U.S. citizen.
Generally, U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents cannot sponsor family members not listed in the preference categories, such as grandparents, aunts and uncles, in-laws, or cousins.
The process of applying for a family member visa is complex and includes detailed requirements. The sponsoring relative files a petition and makes specific commitments relating to the visa request. The sponsored relative undergoes a detailed screening process, including extensive security and background checks.
Getting assistance from an experienced family immigration lawyer is strongly recommended. Mustafo Davlatov helps clients identify the applicable process, obtain and properly complete the required forms, and takes all the necessary steps to obtain the family visa. Attempting to navigate the process without a skillful, trustworthy family immigration lawyer can result in serious mistakes that cause significant problems.
At Davlatov Law Firm, we help clients navigate the complex family visa process, as part of our wide-ranging immigration legal services. From our office in Brooklyn, New York, we assist clients worldwide. Your first consultation is always free of charge. Please contact us or schedule an appointment to talk with us about your immigration concerns.
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