Family Immigration

Family Immigration Visas in South Florida

An Immigration-Only Firm Serving the Treasure Coast & Palm Beach County

Family-based immigration allows U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to petition for qualifying relatives to live and work permanently in the United States. The process involves eligibility rules, multi-step government filings, and timelines that shift based on visa category and country of birth. One missed document or an incorrect form can delay a case by months. Working with a focused family visa attorney in South Florida from the start helps avoid those setbacks.

At The Gaston Law Firm, P.A., immigration law is all we do. We’ve spent a decade building familiarity with USCIS processes, consular procedures, and the practical realities of family immigration cases in Martin County, St. Lucie County, Indian River County, Okeechobee County, and Palm Beach County. Our Avvo rating of 10.0 Superb and membership in the American Immigration Lawyers Association reflect that commitment. When a case involves a client’s criminal history, we collaborate with criminal defense attorneys to make sure nothing is overlooked.

Ready to start your family’s immigration case? Contact us at (888) 388-6859 to schedule a case evaluation.

K-1 Fiancé Visa: Bringing Your Fiancé(e) to the U.S.

The K-1 nonimmigrant visa is the path for U.S. citizens who want to bring their fiancé(e) to the United States to marry. To begin, the U.S. citizen petitioner files Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), with USCIS. K-2 visas are also available for the unmarried children under 21 of a K-1 holder, so the whole family can make the transition together.

K-1 eligibility requires all four of the following:

The petitioner is a U.S. citizen
Both parties intend to marry within 90 days of the fiancé(e)’s entry into the U.S.
Both parties are legally free to marry, with no prior undissolved marriages
Both parties have met in person at least once within the two years before filing, unless a cultural exception or extreme hardship applies

Once the K-1 visa is granted and your fiancé(e) enters the U.S., the marriage must take place within 90 days. After the wedding, your spouse may apply for lawful permanent residence and remain in the U.S. throughout the adjustment of status process. We guide clients through every stage of this sequence, from the initial petition through the green card application.

How We Can Help You?

"Building American Futures" - The Gaston Law Firm, P.A.
Immigration
Fiancé Visa
Parent/Children
Spouses Visas
Children Visas (Sons & Daughters)
Sibling Visas

Petitioning for Your Spouse, Parent, or Child

Family-based visas fall into two categories. Immediate relative visas cover spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens. These carry no annual cap, so approved petitions can move forward without waiting for a visa number to become available. Family preference visas cover a broader set of relationships, including the spouses and unmarried children of lawful permanent residents and the adult children and siblings of U.S. citizens. These are subject to annual limits and can involve significant wait times depending on the category and the applicant’s country of birth.

In both categories, the process begins with Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, filed by the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident sponsor. Lawful permanent residents may petition for their spouse and unmarried children but can’t sponsor parents or siblings under current law. If your family member lives outside the United States, the case proceeds through consular processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. If they’re already lawfully present in the U.S., they may be eligible to file Form I-485 to adjust status without departing. Sponsors must also demonstrate household income of at least 125% of the federal poverty level by filing Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, as part of the application package.

Why Treasure Coast Families Choose The Gaston Law Firm, P.A.

Clients across Martin County, St. Lucie County, and the surrounding region choose us because our practice is built around immigration law. Family visa cases aren’t handled alongside unrelated practice areas here. Every case receives the concentrated attention of attorneys whose full professional focus is immigration. That means deeper familiarity with USCIS, more consistent monitoring of priority dates and visa bulletins, and a team that already understands how consular processing timelines work in practice.

We maintain open communication throughout each case, and clients who can’t travel to meet in person can connect with us by video conference. For families navigating immigration alongside a criminal history matter, our lead attorney’s background as a former prosecutor positions us to coordinate with criminal defense counsel in ways that support the immigration case. Our goal is straightforward: explore every avenue available to move your family’s case forward.

Start Your Family Visa Case Today

A family immigration case is too important to leave to chance. Whether you’re filing a fiancé visa petition, sponsoring a spouse for permanent residence, or petitioning for a parent or child, we can guide you through each step with a strategy built around your specific situation.

Begin your case by scheduling a case evaluation today.
(888) 388-6859

Family Preference Categories & What to Expect

Beyond immediate relatives, U.S. citizens can petition for married adult children under the Family Third Preference category and siblings 21 or older under the Family Fourth Preference, which typically carries the longest wait times due to annual visa caps and high demand. Lawful permanent residents can sponsor their spouse and unmarried children but aren’t eligible to petition for parents or siblings.

Because family preference visas are subject to annual numerical limits, an approved Form I-130 doesn’t immediately allow the beneficiary to move forward. The State Department publishes a monthly Visa Bulletin that establishes “priority dates” controlling when applicants in each preference category may proceed to the next stage. Tracking the Visa Bulletin is essential for setting realistic expectations about timing. It’s one of the ongoing tasks we handle for clients whose cases involve a wait.

Biometrics, Interviews & Supporting Documents

After filing, most applicants are scheduled for a biometrics appointment where USCIS collects fingerprints and a photograph for background screening. A USCIS or consular interview typically follows, during which an officer verifies the qualifying relationship and assesses the applicant’s admissibility to the United States.

Thorough documentation is critical to passing that review. Applicants should be prepared to provide birth certificates, marriage certificates, proof of the petitioner’s U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status, financial records supporting the affidavit of support, and evidence of the genuine nature of the qualifying relationship. Missing or inconsistent documents are among the most common reasons for delays or requests for additional evidence from USCIS.

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At The Gaston Law Firm, P.A., your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.

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FAQ

Common Answers To Your Questions

I’m a foreign national studying in the U.S., can I stay within the country following graduation?

To stay in the country following graduation, a student will need to obtain an H-1B temporary worker visa. Typically, graduates who work in a specialty field (such as a medical professional or engineer) will be able to obtain this visa with ease. To ensure that this process moves smoothly, it is recommended that students apply for this visa as early as possible to avoid penalties.
Can I become a citizen after I am granted permanent residency?

Yes! If you live in the country for five years as a permanent resident, you will be able to obtain citizenship through naturalization. To be eligible for this, however, you must have been physically living in the country for at least half of those five years – and must not have left for a time period longer than six months.
I am looking to adopt a foreign child – how can I make the process as fast as possible?

For those who are looking into adoption, but have yet to identify the child that they are interested in adopting, it is recommended that they file an Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition. This will allow for the portion relating to the approval of the parents to be completed by the time the child is chosen so that the adoption process can be expedited.
If I become a citizen, what are the privileges that I will experience?

There are three primary privileges that citizens can experience. These include being able to vote in local, state and national elections; having the ability to obtain a passport; and sponsoring relatives in their efforts to become a permanent resident.

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