V-Visa
The V-visa is a non-immigrant visa created to allow families to stay together while waiting for the processing of immigrant visas. The Legal Immigration Family Equity Act (LIFE Act), enacted on December 21, 2000, created the non-immigrant visa category, the V-visa, with specific provisions for spouses and children of U.S lawful permanent residents (LPRs). The main motive of the LIFE Act was to reunite families who had been or could be separated for long periods during the process of immigrating to the United States. V-visas allowed these families to stay in the United States with their LPR spouses and parents while the immigration process was completed for them.
For a qualification to a V-visa, a spouse or child (under age 21) of a U.S. LPR must meet all the following criteria:
- The U.S. LPR spouse or parents must have filed Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative with the UCIS on behalf of their spouse or children on or before December 21, 2000;
- The petition’s priority date has to be at least three years old
- The priority date must not be current
- The applicant must not already have an immigrant visa interview or be scheduled for an interview.
- The petition must not already be at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for immigrant visa processing; and
- The applicant must be eligible as an immigrant.
The Benefits of the V-Visa Process are that:
- These individuals intend to be immigrants, and there was previously no way for them to legally come to the United States, even for a short visit.
- By the creation of the V-visa, the law grants the family members:
- Legal status in the United States
- Work Authorization in the United States
USCIS may deny a V-visa petition for various reasons, including if the I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, has not been filed on or before December 21, 2000. U.S. Embassies and Consulates have not issued any V-visas for the past several years because applicants with priority dates on or before December 21,200 were successful in applying for immigration visas as their priority dates became current.
Speak With Our Immigration Attorney Today
The process for a V-visa is little known and can be difficult to ascertain for individuals who might qualify for it but do not have the requisite details of the visa and its complications. In these matters, Daniel Albert Law Firm can equip you with all the information about how to apply for a successful V-visa process. You do not have to look further because we understand the visa processes thoroughly and advise you confidently.
Talk to us as the lawyers best equipped to handle your V-visa case. Call us at 832-930-3059 to book your consultation or for more information.