At Chodorow Law Offices, we put families first. Immigration may be mission critical for your family. We understand. We have the legal expertise you need. And we are sensitive to the time pressures you may face. Did you know that unlike many immigration lawyers we focus on visa processing at U.S embassies and consulates abroad worldwide. And if your relative is in China, we have unparalleled experience and resources on the ground for representing clients before the international USCIS offices, U.S. Embassy Beijing, and the U.S. Consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenyang, and Hong Kong. We make it our business to know each consulate’s policies, practices, and procedures.
Highlights
K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa Guide
This article covers the requirements and procedures to apply for a K-1 visa, as well as the terms and conditions of K-1 status. Also covered are the rules for the fiancé(e)’s unmarried children under age 21 to apply for K-2 visas.
Choosing the Best Visa Strategy for a Fiancée or Spouse: K-1, K-3, or CR1/IR1 Immigrant Visa?
A U.S. citizen planning to file a visa petition for a foreign fiancée or spouse who is outside the U.S. may have various strategies to choose from. The most common options are the K-1 fiancée visa, the K-3 visa, and the CR1/IR1 immigrant visa. This article analyzes the factors to be considered in choosing among…
Guide to Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
Contents1. Introduction1.1 Scope of This Guide1.2 Derivative BeneficiariesWhat is a Derivative Beneficiary?Should an LPR File a Separate I-130 for a Child?1.3 Conditional Resident Status1.4 Preference Categories, State Department and USCIS Classifications2. Requirements: I-130 for Spouse2.1 The Petitioner Must Be a U.S. Citizen or LPR2.2 The Petitioner Must Not Have Been Convicted of Specified Offenses against…
Guide to Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence
A spouse who immigrates based on marriage to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident will be granted conditional resident (CR) status if, at the time of admission as an immigrant, the marriage is less than two years old.
Form I-864, Affidavit of Support: Help Center
Welcome to the Affidavit of Support Help Center. If you feel that you need some help with the Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, you are not alone. Technical errors with the Form I-864 are among the most common reasons for denial of permanent residence applications.
How to Read the State Department Visa Bulletin
Under U.S. immigration law, there is an annual quota on the number of persons who may be granted lawful permanent resident (LPR) status in any category. The monthly Visa Bulletin explains to whom an immigrant visa number is immediately available.
Introduction to Family Immigration
Both U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (also known as LPRs or green card holders) can petition for family members to immigrate.
Applying for a B1/B2 (Visitor) Visa as the Spouse of a U.S. Expat
I’ve been asked several times today about how the spouse of a U.S. citizen expat can apply for a B1/B2 (visitor for business or pleasure) visa. The question typically goes something like this: I am a U.S. citizen. I have lived in China for 5 years. My wife has been denied a U.S. tourist visa…
Rights and Obligations of Lawful Permanent Residents
This memo summarizes the rights and obligations you have upon becoming a U.S. lawful permanent resident (LPR), also known as a “green card” holder.
Recent Articles on Family Immigration
DHS to Increase Employment Authorization Validity Periods for Adjustment of Status Applicants
The Department of Homeland Security will “increase the maximum validity period of initial and renewal EADs [employment authorization documents] to 5 years for …. applicants for … adjustment of status,” among others, according to a Sept. 20 fact sheet. This change should be effective for initial and renewal EADs issued beginning Oct. 1. The American…
USCIS Processing Times for I-130s and I-129Fs Remain Stubbornly High
ContentsSummaryMethodologyTable 1: Processing Times for standalone I-130s for immediate relatives and I-129FsTable 2: Numbers of immediate relative I-130s received, approved, denied, and pending at each service center Summary This article focuses on processing times for Forms I-130 (Petitions for Alien Relatives) on behalf of immediate relatives (i.e., spouses, parents, and children under age 21) and…
K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa Guide
This article covers the requirements and procedures to apply for a K-1 visa, as well as the terms and conditions of K-1 status. Also covered are the rules for the fiancé(e)’s unmarried children under age 21 to apply for K-2 visas.
China Birth Certificate: What Is Needed for U.S. Immigration Purposes?
If you were born in Mainland China and are applying for a U.S. green card, you will need to submit a notarial China birth certificate. That’s true regardless of whether you are filing a Form I-485 (Application to Adjust Status) with USCIS or are applying for an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate abroad.
Utah Marriage Over Zoom Is Valid for Immigration Purposes
Generally speaking, a proxy marriage is a wedding in which one or both of the individuals being united are not in the physical presence of the officiant. An absent party may be represented by another person (“proxy”). Historically, some reasons for proxy marriage have included separation due to military service, imprisonment, or travel restrictions; or when a couple…
Can I Enter the U.S. as a Visitor Then File a Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status?
Can you enter the U.S. as a visitor, then become a lawful permanent resident (LPR), i.e., green card holder, by filing with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) a Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status, instead of waiting abroad for an immigrant visa appointment?
We worked with Chodorow Law Offices on my CR-1 immigrant visa application. The services provided by Gary Chodorow, Linda Tang, and Natalie Xin were very professional. They made a clear plan for my case and worked efficiently, preparing and checking each document very carefully. The staff is patient and friendly. Thank you for your hard work to help me get to the U.S. Here’s a photo at the airport in Boston after I entered with the CR-1 visa!
