Tingen Law
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Green Card Lawyer in Richmond, Virginia · All 50 States

Keep your family together, for good

We help spouses, parents, and children of U.S. citizens win their green cards, with a clear plan from the first form to final approval.

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What a green card means for your family

You've built a life here. A marriage, children in school, parents who need you close. What's missing is the green card that says you can stay.

A green card is permanent residence. It means you can live and work in the United States without a status that expires. It means you can travel and come home without holding your breath. It means you can petition for the next person in your family, and it puts you on the road to citizenship.

Most of all, it turns a season of uncertainty into a plan. That plan is what we build with you, one step at a time.

Why families get stuck

Most families who call us are not in trouble because they did something wrong. They are stuck because the system is hard to read from the inside.

A visa expired years ago and no one mentioned that it mattered. A sponsor's income falls a little short of the line. Someone crossed the border as a child without going through a checkpoint, and no one has ever explained what that means today. Or the right forms were filed in the wrong order, and the case has sat for months.

None of these situations are rare. We see them every week, here in Richmond, VA and with our clients throughout the country. And none of them are the end of the story. Each one has a next step. Finding that next step is the work we do.

The family paths to a green card

Family is the most common way to get a green card. For spouses, parents, and children of U.S. citizens, it is also the most direct. Here is how each path works.

Married to a U.S. citizen

If you are married to a U.S. citizen, there is no line to wait in. Your spouse files the family petition (Form I-130) to show the marriage is real. You file the green card application (Form I-485) to show you qualify. When you are already in the United States, we usually file both at the same time, which makes the road much shorter.

If your marriage is less than two years old on the day your green card is approved, it arrives as a two-year card with conditions attached. Removing those conditions later is its own filing. We handle removal of conditions on a marriage green card as well.

Parents and children of U.S. citizens

The same direct path is open to the parents of an adult U.S. citizen, and to a citizen's unmarried children under 21. There is no yearly limit on these green cards and no line to wait in. The work is in the proof: the relationship, the sponsor's finances, and the history of every entry into the country. Our guide to who can apply for a family-based green card walks through each relationship in plain terms.

Engaged to a U.S. citizen

If you are engaged and living abroad, the fiancé visa (K-1) brings you to the United States to marry within the visa's window. After the wedding, you apply for your green card from inside the country. The green card step goes smoothly when the visa step was prepared with it in mind. Our fiancé visa guide covers the first part.

Other family situations

Other relatives can be sponsored too: married sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, and the spouse or child of a green card holder. These paths are real, but they come with a wait, sometimes a long one. We will tell you honestly what to expect before you decide.

When something in your history complicates getting a green card

A past mistake does not have to end the conversation.

Time spent in the United States without permission can be forgiven through a waiver (Form I-601A). It is often approved from inside the country before a family member travels abroad to finish the process. A past deportation order, known as an order of removal, can be addressed too. A separate waiver asks permission to apply again (Form I-212). These cases take care and honesty, and they change lives.

One of our clients entered as a child and missed a hearing she never knew about. For years she lived under a deportation order without knowing it. Today she holds a green card. Read how she won a green card after a prior removal order.

We routinely help clients who find themselves in similar situations.

How we handle your case

You should never wonder what is happening with your case or what comes next. Our process is built so you don't have to worry about your next steps.

  1. Understand your situation. Every relationship, every entry into the country, every prior filing, before a single form is submitted.
  2. Choose the path. Which petition, filed from where, in what order, and whether a waiver belongs in the plan.
  3. Prepare and file. We assemble the evidence to answer the questions USCIS, the immigration agency, will ask. That includes the sponsor's financial support form (Form I-864), so the case is complete the first time.
  4. Stay with you. Requests for more evidence, the interview, and the decision. You are never handed off.

Thousands of families have trusted us with this over more than a decade. What they remember most is never having to guess where their case stood.

Adjustment of status or consular processing

Every family faces a decision most do not know exists. You can apply for your green card from inside the United States, a process called adjustment of status. Or you can apply through a U.S. consulate in your home country, called consular processing.

Where you are, how you entered, and where your spouse lives all shape the answer. Choose well and the case moves. Choose poorly and it can cost months, or separate a family that never needed to be apart. You should make this decision early, with clear eyes, and with the reasoning written down. Our comparison of adjustment of status and consular processing lays out how to think it through.

Richmond roots, families nationwide

If you live in or near Richmond, Virginia, you can sit across the table from us. Our office is here, and the families here are why the firm exists. If you are looking for the green card lawyer Richmond Virginia families trust, that is us.

But family petitions are built from documents, strategy, and preparation. That work is the same whether you live down the street or across the country. It is why families in all 50 states, and around the world, hire us for family-based cases, while our asylum and court work stays close to home.

What approval looks like

Approval means a permanent resident card in your name and a status that no longer expires. You can work, travel, and plan without watching a calendar. Many families then turn to what comes next: a petition for a parent or a child, or, in time, an application for citizenship. Whatever that next step is, you begin it from solid ground.

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“Tingen Law has always had the right price and the payment plans are very helpful. They make time for me and they treat me well. ”
Jessica Mejia

Jessica Mejia

Immigration Client

Your green card journey

You're in the right place

If you're searching for a green card lawyer, you likely already know what's at stake. Here's where most of our clients are when they find us — and exactly how we help.

Your priority date is current

Your immigrant visa category is now current. We prepare a complete I-485 adjustment of status package and file it promptly so you don't lose your place in line.

You married a U.S. citizen

As an immediate relative, you face no priority date wait and no annual cap. We can begin your I-130 and I-485 concurrently for the fastest possible path to a green card.

You received a Request for Evidence

An RFE is not a denial. We respond to every RFE with a precise, well-documented reply that addresses every concern USCIS raised — and nothing more.

Your application was denied

A denial is not always final. We review the decision and advise on motions to reconsider, appeals before the BIA, or refiling with stronger evidence.

Our track record

Trusted by thousands of Virginia families

For more than a decade, Tingen Law has guided families through every stage of the U.S. green card process — from initial eligibility reviews to USCIS interview preparation and final approval.

Our attorneys handle family petitions, adjustment of status, and consular processing for clients in Richmond, across all 50 states, and abroad.

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Green card questions, answered

Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact us and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Yes, through a process called adjustment of status. This is commonly available for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens. Our intake team can evaluate your eligibility, including situations involving visa overstays.

A USCIS officer will review your application and ask questions to verify the information you provided. Questions typically cover your background, immigration history, and details specific to your case. Our attorneys sometimes attend interviews with clients, particularly for asylum cases or those involving criminal histories.

In some cases, yes. Options include having a U.S. citizen spouse or child, being eligible under certain programs like VAWA, or qualifying for adjustment of status. Some applicants may apply from within the U.S. while others must complete processing at embassies or consulates abroad.

An RFE is a notice from USCIS asking for additional information or documentation to support your immigration application. Receiving an RFE does not mean your application will be denied. If you are represented by our firm, do not respond on your own — USCIS may assume your representation has ended. We will help you prepare a thorough response.

You file Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS. Processing times vary by relationship type, with immediate relatives generally experiencing shorter waits. We recommend evaluating your family member's immigration history with an attorney before initiating the petition.

The U.S. citizen or green card holder files Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative). Spouses already in the U.S. may concurrently file Form I-485, while those abroad pursue consular processing. Certain grounds of inadmissibility may require a hardship waiver with extensive supporting documentation.

For U.S. citizen sponsors: approximately 12 to 24 months for adjustment of status (in the U.S.) and 14 to 28 months for consular processing. For green card holder sponsors: 24 to 36 months or longer. Additional factors such as RFEs and interview backlogs may extend these timelines.

Yes. U.S. citizens may sponsor a fiance for a K-1 fiance visa, which allows them to enter the United States for the purpose of getting married. You must get married within 90 days of their arrival, after which the foreign spouse can apply for a green card. You must also have met in person within the two years prior to filing.

U.S. citizens who are at least 21 years old can sponsor their parents for a green card as immediate relatives. There is no annual limit on the number of visas issued to parents of U.S. citizens, which makes the process faster than other family preference categories. Processing typically takes 12 to 24 months.

USCIS will provide written notice explaining the reason for the denial. In most cases you can address the issue that caused the denial and file a new Form I-130. Common reasons include insufficient evidence of the relationship, application errors, or issues with the financial sponsorship.

A joint sponsor assumes financial responsibility when the primary sponsor's income falls below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. Joint sponsors must be U.S. citizens or green card holders, at least 18 years old, and must file Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support). We generally recommend joint sponsors with qualifying income rather than relying solely on assets.

Yes. Following the 2013 Windsor decision, same-sex couples have the same rights as opposite-sex couples when applying for family-based immigration benefits. USCIS recognizes same-sex marriages for immigration purposes.

A work permit, known as an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), requires an approved or pending immigration status that makes you eligible to work. Work permits are not standalone — they are tied to a visa category or pending benefit such as asylum, DACA, TPS, or a green card application.

The timeline depends on the type of immigration application supporting your request. Green card applicants might wait 6 to 12 months, while timelines differ for those with approved asylum or other statuses. USCIS processing speeds fluctuate and delays are common.

If you are applying via Adjustment of Status, you can request an EAD at the same time but cannot work until it is approved. Those with employment-authorized visas such as H-1B or L-1 may continue working under their existing status. Applicants going through consular processing abroad cannot work in the U.S. until their green card is issued.

Qualification depends on your immigration category and personal circumstances. Common paths include family sponsorship, employment-based sponsorship, humanitarian protection such as asylum, or special programs. We evaluate your immigration history, identify the best pathway based on your background, explain timelines and USCIS requirements, and help you avoid common mistakes. We offer free consultations to discuss your eligibility. Tingen Law focuses exclusively on family and humanitarian immigration and does not currently provide employment-based immigration services.

A lawyer accelerates the process, ensures accuracy, and reduces stress. Specifically, we determine which green card category applies to you, guide you through each step from application preparation to deadline tracking, prevent costly errors from incomplete forms or missing documentation, draft responses to USCIS Requests for Evidence, and prepare you for interviews or appeals.

Processing times vary by category and USCIS workload. Immediate family-based cases typically require 10 to 20 months. Working with experienced legal representation can help reduce avoidable delays.

Denial is not necessarily final. You should read the USCIS denial notice carefully to understand the reasons, fix identified issues such as documentation errors, and resubmit a corrected application. You may also be eligible to file an appeal. We have successfully resolved previously denied cases by identifying errors and strengthening applications for re-submission.

While self-filing is possible, the process contains technical requirements and complex details that frequently cause delays or denials without professional guidance. Experienced attorneys create tailored legal strategies, review documentation thoroughly, anticipate complications, and represent clients before USCIS. We emphasize clarity throughout the process and are here to guide you every step of the way.

Keep reading about green cards

Guides on green cards and family immigration from our knowledge base, written by our attorneys.

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