Family Immigration Whatever Your Immigration Legal Needs May Be, We Are With You

Family Immigration Lawyer in Charlottesville, VA

Immigration-Only Practice. Local Office. Six Languages.

When a family member needs a path to permanent residence, the process involves federal petitions, shifting agency timelines, and documentation requirements that change with policy. Murray Osorio PLLC handles every stage of family immigration from our Charlottesville office, serving clients throughout Central and Southern Virginia in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Russian, and Amharic.

We work with U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents sponsoring spouses, children, parents, and other qualifying relatives. Our services cover I-130 Petition for Alien Relative, Adjustment of Status, Immigrant Visa Processing, K-1 Fiancé Visa, 245(i) Adjustment of Status, VAWA Self-Petitions, LGBT+ Family Immigration, Waivers of Inadmissibility, I-601A Provisional Unlawful Presence Waivers, DACA, and Temporary Protected Status.

Ready to take the next step? Call our Charlottesville family immigration attorneys at (800) 929-7142 or reach out through our online contact form to schedule a consultation, in person or virtually.

Why Charlottesville Families Choose Murray Osorio PLLC

Immigration law is all we do. Our practice is dedicated entirely to immigration. That focus keeps our attorneys current on evolving USCIS policies and procedural requirements that directly affect family-based cases.

Our team brings firsthand knowledge of the immigration journey. Our attorneys include practitioners with backgrounds from Pakistan, Russia, and Mexico, and the broader team reflects the communities we serve across Central and Southern Virginia. With Cruz Law PLLC joining Murray Osorio PLLC in April 2026, our legal team has continued to grow.

Recognized legal standing: The firm has received recognition from Best Lawyers (2024), Virginia Legal Elite (2023 and 2024), Best Lawyers Ones to Watch (2024), Super Lawyers, and Washingtonian Top Lawyers (2024).

We give each client an honest assessment of their case and lay out every option available under the law. Clients are matched with the attorney and support staff best suited to their circumstances, so no two cases are handled the same way.

Family Immigration Pathways We Handle

Family-based immigration draws a clear line between two groups: immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and preference category family members. Immediate relatives (spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens) aren’t subject to annual numerical caps, so a visa is available as soon as USCIS approves the I-130 petition. Preference category relatives (adult children, married children, and siblings of U.S. citizens, along with spouses and unmarried children of lawful permanent residents) face annual limits and priority date backlogs that can extend wait times by years, depending on country of birth and relationship.

Where the sponsored relative lives determines which path follows I-130 approval. A relative already in the United States may be eligible to file Form I-485 and adjust status without leaving the country. A relative abroad can proceed through consular processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate once a visa becomes available. K-1 fiancé visas offer a separate route: a U.S. citizen petitions to bring a foreign national fiancé here to marry within 90 days, after which the fiancé may apply to adjust status.

Start Your Family Immigration Case in Charlottesville

Our Charlottesville office serves families throughout Central and Southern Virginia. Whether your case involves a straightforward spousal petition or a complex waiver, we can walk through your options and build a strategy suited to your family’s situation. We offer both in-person and virtual consultations.

Contact our family immigration lawyers in Charlottesville today at (800) 929-7142 or use our online contact form to get started.

The Family Immigration Petition Process

Most family-based immigration cases start the same way: the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident sponsor files Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS to establish that a qualifying family relationship exists. If USCIS approves the petition, it either forwards the case to the National Visa Center for consular processing or notifies the applicant that they can move forward with adjustment of status inside the United States.

Adjustment of Status vs. Consular Processing

Relatives already in the United States who are eligible may pursue adjustment of status through Form I-485, obtaining permanent residence without leaving the country. Relatives abroad go through consular processing, which involves a National Visa Center processing stage, coordination with a U.S. embassy or consulate in the relative’s home country, and a consular interview before a visa is issued.

Priority Dates & the Visa Bulletin

For preference category family members, visa availability is controlled by the State Department’s monthly Visa Bulletin. Each preference category carries an annual numerical cap, and high demand from certain countries of birth has created backlogs spanning years or even decades. The priority date assigned when the I-130 is filed determines where the applicant stands in line. For immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, no such wait applies.

How an Attorney Helps at Each Stage

USCIS doesn’t publish fixed processing timelines for family-based petitions, and actual wait times shift with agency workloads, country of birth, and preference category. An attorney can identify the most efficient pathway before filing, flag issues that might trigger a Request for Evidence, and help prepare the sponsored relative for a consular or USCIS interview. For Charlottesville-area applicants with relatives abroad, coordinating with an overseas consulate adds logistical complexity that experienced legal guidance can help manage.

Continue Reading Read Less

Are You...

Looking for legal advice?
In need of a legal consultation?
Looking for answers?

Murray Osorio PLLC is here to help you and provide legal guidance as needed.

Book Your Service

Real People. Real Reviews.

"What truly impressed me was their meticulous attention to detail"
As a son of parents who fled Laos as refugees, Kane has helped to empower me and my family to navigate the intimidating citizenship naturalization process. What truly impressed me was their meticulous attention to detail. They left no stone unturned in preparing my case, ensuring that all documentation and forms were filed correctly and on time. This level of diligence and thoroughness provided me with a sense of confidence and peace of mind during an otherwise stressful time.

- Jason

View All Reviews

Specialty Family Immigration Matters

Some family immigration cases involve legal hurdles beyond the standard petition pathway. We handle these more complex matters for clients throughout Central and Southern Virginia.

VAWA Self-Petitions

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) allows qualifying abuse survivors who are spouses, children, or parents of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents to self-petition for permanent residence without the abuser’s involvement or knowledge. We handle VAWA self-petitions with the confidentiality and care these cases require.

LGBT+ Family Immigration

Same-sex married couples and their families are eligible for the same family-based immigration pathways as opposite-sex couples. We handle LGBT+ family immigration matters and are familiar with the documentation and procedural considerations that arise in these cases.

Waivers of Inadmissibility

Past unlawful presence, certain criminal convictions, or prior fraud can bar a family member from receiving a visa or adjusting status even after the I-130 is approved. Waivers of inadmissibility may be available to overcome these bars. We assist with the I-601A Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver, which allows certain relatives of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents to apply before departing for their consular interview, reducing the time families spend separated.

245(i) Adjustment of Status

Certain individuals who would otherwise be ineligible to adjust status inside the United States may qualify under the legacy 245(i) provision if a qualifying petition or labor certification was filed on their behalf before April 30, 2001. We assess whether clients in the Charlottesville area meet this criterion and guide them through the process where it applies.

DACA and Temporary Protected Status

For clients who hold Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS), family-based immigration options can intersect with their current status in important ways. We work through these situations as part of our broader family immigration practice.

Why Legal Representation Matters for Family Immigration Cases

Family immigration forms are detailed, and errors or omissions can mean Requests for Evidence, processing delays, or denials. Before any filing goes to USCIS, our attorneys review the complete packet, covering not just the forms themselves but the supporting documentation: evidence of the qualifying relationship, financial sponsorship requirements, and any additional materials specific to the applicant’s situation.

Navigating Policy Changes

Immigration regulations and USCIS guidance can change with little notice. Processing procedures, fee schedules, interview requirements, and eligibility rules have all shifted in recent years. Our attorneys stay current on these changes so families in Charlottesville and across Central and Southern Virginia don’t have to monitor federal agency announcements themselves. When conditions change, we help clients adapt their strategy.

What to Expect Working with Our Firm

We handle the full range of tasks a family immigration case requires: gathering and organizing evidence, preparing and filing petitions, managing USCIS correspondence, and representing clients at interviews or before the immigration court if the need arises. Our multilingual team serves Charlottesville-area families in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Russian, and Amharic, so language is rarely a barrier to getting the guidance a family needs.

Continue Reading Read Less

Our Locations

Fairfax,
Virginia
Learn More
Silver Spring, Maryland
Learn More
Newark, New Jersey
Learn More
Charlottesville, Virginia
Learn More

Contact Us Today

Request a Consultation

First Name
Please enter your first name.
Last Name
Please enter your last name.
Phone
Email
Please enter your email address.

This isn't a valid email address.
Are you a new client?
Please make a selection.
How can we help you?
Please enter a message.
By submitting, you agree to receive text messages from Murray Osorio PLLC at the number provided, including those related to your inquiry, follow-ups, and review requests, via automated technology. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency may vary. Reply STOP to cancel or HELP for assistance. Acceptable Use Policy

Why You Can Depend On Us

We Assist You Every Step of the Way

We are a full service immigration firm with experience in all types of cases.
We advocate for you and take the time to truly understand your needs.
You will receive an honest and detailed assessment from us about your case.
We are proficient in English, Spanish, French, Russian, and Amharic.
You will be matched with the team who is best suited for your individual case.