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Learn About Different Immigration Visas & Forms

The journey to green card and citizenship is sometimes confusing, given the history of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), since renamed the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS), and it’s varied and complicated documentation, forms, and visa types.

The Gardner & Mendoza website has many resources to help simplify the process, (and you’re always welcome to reach out directly at any time to our lawyers), so we’re providing an easy way to find the key immigration forms’ information and visa content available on this site:

  • I-130 Petition for Alien Relative. This is the petition that starts off the process when you are petitioning for a family member.  If you are a lawful permanent resident, you can file the I-130 petition for your spouse and/or unmarried son or daughter no matter what their age. If you are a U.S. Citizen,  you can file the I-130 petition for your spouse, parent, and unmarried children under 21 years of age (these family members are classified as ‘immediate relatives’ and visas are always available for these family members).  As a U.S. Citizen, you can also file for your unmarried and married children over 21 years of age as well as siblings. The I-130 petition is filed as a standalone petition unless your relative is in the U.S. and eligible for adjustment of status.
    Resources:
    • File your I-130 Petition
    • I-130 Spouse Abroad Step-by-step
  • Form I-485 Application to Register Permanent residence or Adjust Status. This application is sometimes referred to as the ‘green card application’, and it is for those who are eligible to adjust their status in the U.S. to that of a lawful permanent resident. For example, you entered the U.S. on a tourist visa, you got married to a U.S. Citizen, and now you want to get your green card based on your marriage.  You will be adjusting your status from a tourist to a lawful permanent resident.
    This application is not just for family-based cases; those who have an employment-based I-140 petition filed on their behalf may also be eligible to adjust their status to a lawful permanent resident.
    Suppose that you entered the U.S. on an H-1B visa and after a few years of working, your employer filed a PERM application on your behalf; after the PERM was certified, the employer filed an I-140, Petition for Alien Worker, for you, and it was approved.  Once a visa becomes available, you will be able to adjust your status from H-1B visa to a lawful permanent resident by filing the I-485 application.
    • Priority Dates for Filing Form I-485
    • Changing Status from Tourist Visa
    • Forms for Green Card Through Marriage
  • Form I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), also referred to as the K-1 Visa Petition. This form is used if you are a U.S. Citizen petitioning for your fiancé(e) to come to the U.S. so you can get married.  The petition has to be filed within two years of when you last saw your fiancé(e) in person. This petition is the first step to a process that will allow your fiancé(e) to come to the U.S. Once your fiancé(e) arrives in the U.S. on the K-1 visa, the two of you must get married within 90 days.  After marriage, your now spouse will be able to file the I-485, Application for  Adjustment of Status to get their green card or lawful permanent resident status.
  • K-1 Visa
    • K-1 Marriage Fiancé Visa
    • K-1 Visa Processing Times
  • Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization. You may be eligible to get a ‘work permit’, which is also known as the employment authorization document (EAD) by filing the I-765.  The purpose of this form is to allow eligible applicants to lawfully work in the U.S. Unfortunately, not just anyone can file this form to start working in the U.S. as you must fall under an eligible category to be considered. Below are a few examples of categories of applicants and visa holders who may be eligible to apply for the I-765 (please note that it is not exhaustive):
    • I-485 applicants 
    • DACA applicants 
    • Certain F-1 students
    • Spouses of certain H-1B visa holders
    • Spouses of E-2 visa holders
    • Those granted Withholding of Removal 
    • TPS applicants
  • Form I-134 Declaration of Financial Support. We frequently use Form I-134 for our clients who are applying for a K-1 visa. The I-134 is required at the time of an applicant’s K-1 visa interview. When we file the I-134, we include supporting financial documents such as the Petitioner’s most recent income tax return, W-2 and paystub or LES if in the military. Form I-134 is also used for those who are agreeing to financially support Afghans and Ukrainians and their immediate family members who are seeking parole into the U.S. Those who file the I-134 must file a separate I-134 for each beneficiary in the family, including minor children.
  • I-864 Affidavit of Support. This form is used in most family-based and some employment-based immigrant visa cases to show that the beneficiaries have financial support and will not become a public charge and rely on the U.S. government for financial support.
    Generally, when filing the Affidavit of Support, the Petitioner/Sponsor must provide their most recent income tax return or a statement as to why one was not filed, their W-2, 1099 or other proof of income and their most recent pay records. The amount of income required is based on the Sponsor’s household size; the larger the household, the more income the Sponsor must show.  The required income can be seen on Form I-864P. 
    If the Petitioner does not make sufficient income based on the Form I-864P, a joint sponsor may be used.  A joint sponsor must be a U.S. citizen or a Lawful Permanent Resident of the U.S.
  • Form I-360
    • Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Filing
  • N-400 Application for Naturalization
    • Common Immigration Questions
  • U Visa
    • Victim of Criminal Activity Visa

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Testimonials

Well, hard to believe… job done! I’m frank to admit I had no idea that it would be so involved compared to 10 years ago when I did the renewal myself. Happily I was fortunate enough to find the best people to help get it done this time. When I was a working stiff it was mostly as a field guy in sales & marketing. High tech communication in those days was a pay phone in customers’ lobbies, so someone back in the office skilled in dealing w/problems was absolutely essential when I couldn’t be contacted. Most of those who supported me that way were good at what they did, some were outstanding. None were better than you!! This tedious & sometimes worrisome process would have been unbearable without your keeping it, & me, on track. So we want to extend our thanks to you and Radlyn. Hoping for Gardner & Mendoza to continue the good work for many years to come. - Anonymous
Gardner and Mendoza Law Firm is a great law firm no matter what kind of situation you may be in! For example I had court today, John Gardner, my attorney represented me today and got the charged dismissed totally the first time we both appeared in front of the judge in Virginia Beach Traffic Court. He uses every bit of knowledge he can to help you get the best results!! He also works very well with Latinos! They have a Spanish speaking person in their office at all times!! - Sebastian
My husband and I had a great experience with Mrs. Mendoza. She provided excellent information and a sense of urgency with every step of our immigration process. Her team was always supportive in getting us the information we needed throughout the whole process. This legal firm also treats their clients with the highest levels of respect. In all of Virginia I would say that the Gardener & Mendoza team is the best recommendation for same sex immigration cases and for immigration cases in general. It was a pleasure to work with them. - Anonymous
I Highly Recommend Radlyn Mendoza, An Excellent Immigration Lawyer. My wife and I were very worried about my wife’s immigration and legal status. We were quite impressed with Attorney Mendoza during our initial consultation. She proved to be a smart, knowledgeable, and very capable immigration attorney. She and her staff were very helpful and responsive to all of our requests. Kudos to her and staff, especially Leesa, for successfully handling our case. Thanks for a job well done. - Thomas and Cheong W.
My daughter received a reckless driving ticket going 60 in a 35 mph zone, so understandably, I was very concerned. In court, Mr. Gardner was able to get the reckless driving charge and ticket completely dismissed due to his knowledge of what the police officer had to present in court. Mr. Gardner was a familiar face to the judge and the clerks in the Virginia Beach courthouse. When we contacted John Gardner’s office at Gardner & Mendoza, he and his staff made us feel comfortable by explaining the whole process to us. His track record and the reviews online helped make the decision to choose Mr. Gardner over other attorneys easy. I highly recommend Mr. Gardner. He gave us peace of mind and won the case too! - Michelle

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Our main law office is conveniently located in the Hilltop section of Virginia Beach, near Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital and Oceana Naval Base. See law office locations.

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  • John Gardner
  • Radlyn Mendoza
  • Sarah K.F. Lollar
  • Domini Samson

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