Starting the journey toward living in the United States often begins with a consultation session with a U.S. immigration lawyer.
Some people immigrate through marriage, others through family, investment, or employment visa categories. In many cases, however, the rules and paperwork may feel overwhelming. With frequent updates to forms, fees, and eligibility requirements, professional support can make a difference.
At Enterline and Partners, our team has for years guided families, couples, businesspersons and investors through the U.S. immigration process by helping clients prepare documents properly and avoiding delays.
In this article, you’ll learn about the most common visa categories, required documents, the step-by-step process, expected costs and timelines in 2025, and how preparation can improve your chances for approval.
Popular U.S. Immigration Pathways in 2025
Understanding the main visa categories is the first step in any U.S. immigration consultation. Each option has its own eligibility rules, benefits, and application process, so choosing the right pathway is essential for a successful outcome.
1. CR1 and IR1 Spouse Visas
Intended for married couples, this immigrant visa allows U.S. citizens to bring their foreign spouses to the United States.
The CR1 is issued when the marriage is under two (2) years and results in a conditional lawful permanent residency (“Green Card”). On the other hand, the IR1 applies to marriages of more than two (2) years and grants unconditional lawful permanent residency and a ten (10) year valid Green Card.
CR2 and IR2 Child Visas
Children of a CR1 or IR1 beneficiary may qualify under the CR2 (conditional) or IR2 (immediate relative) categories.
- CR2 Visa: For children of a foreign spouse, if the couple has been married for less than two (2) years;
- IR2 Visa: For children of a foreign spouse, if the couple has been married for more than two (2) years.
These visas allow children to immigrate with the parent and receive their own Green Card upon entry.
IR5 Parent Visa
The IR5 visa enables U.S. citizens aged 21 or older to sponsor their foreign-born parents for a Green Card.
2. Family Preference Categories (F1, F2A, F2B, F3, F4)
These visas cover children and siblings of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (“Green Card Holders”). Each sub-category has its own eligibility rules and priority dates, which makes understanding the United States Department of State’s Visa Bulletin essential for long-term planning.
3. K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa
This visa allows a U.S. citizen’s fiancé(e) to enter the country for marriage. The couple must wed within ninety (90) days of arrival, after which the foreign spouse can apply for adjustment of status to receive conditional lawful permanent residence and a Green Card.
4. EB-5 and EB-4 Programs
The EB-5 program is an investment-based route for those who invest capital into a U.S. business and that creates jobs because of that investment.
The EB-4 covers “special immigrants,” including religious workers, certain employees of U.S. foreign service posts, and others in unique categories.
What Are the Eligibility Rules and Required Documents?
Before applying for a U.S. immigrant visa, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria requirements and prepare a comprehensive list of supporting documents.
Please keep in mind that submitting accurate documentation is one of the most important parts of an immigration consultation, as errors or omissions often lead to Requests for Evidence (“RFE”) or a longer waiting period.
Core Immigration Forms and Applications
The U.S. immigration system relies on specific forms to move an application forward. These include, but are not limited to:
- Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative): Establishes the qualifying family relationship.
- Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)): Used by U.S. citizens to bring a foreign fiancé(e) to the United States for marriage through a K-1 visa. It may also apply to certain spouses of U.S. citizens seeking a K-3 visa.
- Form I-526 and Form I-526E (Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor/Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor): Filed by foreign investors participating in the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program to demonstrate that they have invested, or are actively in the process of investing, the required capital in a qualifying enterprise.
- Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support): Demonstrates the Petitioner’s financial ability to support the immigrant.
- Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application): The online application required at the National Visa Center (“NVC”) when beginning the visa application process.
An applicant organizes their DS-260 paperwork.
Civil and Financial Evidence
Applicants typically provide birth certificates, marriage certificates, police records, and proof of financial stability, such as tax returns or employment letters.
Proof of Relationship
For marriage-based or fiancé(e) categories, evidence of a bona fide relationship is essential. This can include:
- Joint bank statements;
- Photos documenting the relationship;
- Travel records;
- Communication logs.
Applicants can also submit other forms of proof to demonstrate a genuine partnership.
Photographs and Identification
The United States Department of State (“DOS”) has strict specifications for passport-style photos and valid travel documents.
At Enterline and Partners, our team helps clients review eligibility, gather the right evidence, and make sure documents meet the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) and the National Visa Center (“NVC”) requirements before submission.
Get in touch with one of our team members today.
How Does the U.S. Immigration Process Work Step by Step?
Every visa case follows a sequence of stages, with each requiring careful attention to deadlines, details, and documentation. A consultation often maps out these steps in advance so clients know what to expect.
Green Card Process
This pathway applies to those seeking a Green Card through family, employment, or investment categories.
- Petition Filing
A petition is filed with USCIS based on the visa type. This establishes the qualifying relationship or eligibility and places the case in the system for review.
- NVC Stage
Once USCIS approves the petition, the case moves to the National Visa Center. Applicants submit the DS-260 Immigrant Visa Application (or a DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa for K-1 visa applicants), pay the government fees, and upload required civil and financial documents such as marriage certificates, birth certificates, and the Affidavit of Support. The NVC reviews the file before scheduling the next step.
- Consular Interview Preparation
After the NVC completes its review, it declares the case as documentarily qualified before forwarding the case to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Applicants then attend a consular interview, a key step in the process.
Before the interview, the applicant must complete a medical examination with an approved panel physician or clinic and ensure all original documents are ready.
- Entry to the United States
After a successful interview, the applicant receives an immigrant visa in their passport, valid for entry to the United States. Upon arrival, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) admits them as a Green Card holder.
This is a simplified summary of a complex legal process; each case may involve specific exceptions or additional forms. Enterline and Partners’ experienced immigration attorneys can help make sure every stage is completed properly and efficiently.
Nonimmigrant Visa Process
For those seeking to visit, study, or work temporarily in the United States, the steps differ:
- Petition or Application Filing
Some visa categories, like the H-1B (specialty occupation) or L-1 (intra-company transferee), require a petition approval with USCIS before the visa can be issued at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Others, such as B-1/B-2 visitor visas, E-1 Treaty Trader and E-2 Treaty Investor begin directly with the DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application.
- Scheduling the Visa Interview
After paying the visa fee, applicants create a USTravelDocs account to schedule their interview at the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
- Attend Biometrics and Interview
Applicants attend a consular interview. Consular officers review the DS-160 and questions to confirm eligibility and intent to return home after the visit.
- Visa Issuance and Travel to the United States
Once approved, the visa is placed in the passport. Upon entry, CBP determines the authorized period of stay, which appears on the Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record.
How Long Does the Process Take for Green Cards?
Processing times vary widely depending on the type of visa, where the petition is filed, and the workload of USCIS service center offices.
Average Timelines by Category
Processing times vary depending on visa type, case complexity, and country of origin. The estimates below reflect average USCIS adjudication times only. They do not include NVC processing or U.S. consular interview scheduling, which can add several additional months.
- IR1/CR1 Spouse Visas: The USCIS is approving eighty (80) percent of petitions within seventeen (17) months. Following petition approval, couples should plan on an additional four (4) to six (6) months for NVC processing and interview availability.
- F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents): Typically eighteen (18) to twenty-four (24) months.
- F1, F2B, F3, and F4 (Adult Children and Siblings of Citizens): These categories are limited by annual visa quotas and can involve multi-year waits depending on the applicant’s country of origin. The USCIS is adjudicating eighty (80) percent of petitions within approximately 53 months.
- K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa: Most cases take about nine (9) months for USCIS adjudication followed by an additional three (3) months before an interview can be scheduled.
- EB-5 Investors: Most applicants face twenty-four (24) to thirty-six (36) months or longer to reach an interview, although because of high visa demand and an annual quota, nationals from India and China will have a longer wait.
The Role of the Visa Bulletin
For family preference and certain employment immigrant visa categories, applicants must track their priority date. This is the date USCIS receives the initial petition.
Each month, DOS publishes the Visa Bulletin, which shows when cases in each category and country have a visa available and are eligible to move forward.
Why Timelines Vary?
Factors such as incomplete documentation, RFEs, backlogs at Embassies and Consulates, visa bulletin retrogression, or changes in government policy can lengthen the wait. Even applicants in the same category may experience different processing times depending on where their case is handled.
For example, someone applying from Manila may need an immigration lawyer in the Philippines to help manage long consular queues, while another applicant from Ho Chi Minh could benefit from working with a Vietnam immigration lawyer familiar with local document requirements and consular procedures.
Although the steps may look straightforward, understanding the Visa Bulletin and estimating waiting times is not always easy. At Enterline and Partners, we regularly monitor bulletin updates for wait times and retrogression situations, explain how they affect your case, and help set realistic expectations about timing. Contact our team today.
A family reunited in the U.S. through immigration.
How Much Does a U.S. Immigration Consultation and Visa Cost in 2025?
Immigration involves several required expenses. While costs vary by category and country, there are a number of budget items to consider as seen below as an example:
- USCIS filing fees: Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative- US$625–675; Form I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)- US$675; and Form I-526 and Form I-526E for an immigrant investor- US$11,160.
- NVC fees: Affidavit of Support Fee- US$120, Immigrant Visa Application Fee- US$325 for immediate relative and family preference application and US$345 for employment-based applications.
- Medical exam and vaccinations: US$200-$500, depending on country and required vaccines;
- Professional fees: Varies depending on the type of case and complexity. Watch this short video for more insight into professional costs. At Enterline and Partners, most of our fees are flat-rate fixed fees for the service we provide.
Some categories, like the EB-5 investor visa, involve far higher costs due to the complexity of the case, while others, like IR1 or CR1 spouse visas, remain more moderate.
If this part brings about confusion, an immigration consultation helps clarify the total cost for your specific case.
How Can You Prepare for the Consular Interview and Improve Approval Chances?
The consular interview is often a very stressful part of the immigration process. Careful preparation can reduce anxiety and help you present your case clearly. Key points include:
- Bring the right documents: Original civil records, financial evidence, medical exam results, and supporting proof of your relationship (if applicable).
- Expect common questions: Interviewers often ask about your relationship history, living arrangements, financial situation, employment, or future plans in the United States.
- Practice your answers: Keep responses honest and consistent with what you have submitted in your application.
- Maintain a professional demeanor: Dress neatly, arrive on time, and show respect throughout the process.
- Stay calm and confident: Applicants who appear prepared and truthful are more likely to leave a positive impression.
Even small mistakes, like missing paperwork or nervous, inconsistent answers, can trigger setbacks or denials. Our experienced U.S. immigration attorneys help clients rehearse for their interviews, organize the right evidence, and avoid common pitfalls.
Frequently Asked Questions About U.S. Immigration
Many applicants share similar concerns when starting the immigration process. Here are answers to some of the most common questions:
How do I know which visa category is right for me?
The appropriate visa category depends on your relationship to a U.S. citizen or Green Card Holder, your purpose for traveling, and how long you intend to stay. An immigration consultation helps identify the most suitable option based on your background and goals.
What documents should I bring to my immigration consultation?
Bring any passports, prior visa documents, marriage or birth certificates, employment records, and financial statements. These help your attorney assess eligibility and create a checklist tailored to your case.
How long does a typical U.S. immigration case take?
Processing times vary by visa type and government workload. Some cases finish in weeks, while others, especially family preference or employment visas, can take several years. Your U.S. immigration attorney can estimate timelines based on the latest Visa Bulletin.
What happens if my visa is denied?
A denial notice usually explains the reason. Depending on the case, you may reapply, submit additional documents, or file an appeal or motion to reopen. Legal guidance can help determine the best next step.
If you have received a denial, don’t hesitate to reach out to Enterline and Partners for help.
Start Your Immigration Process With Expert Guidance
Every immigration case comes with its own set of challenges, from unique family situations to country-specific processing times. And while online resources can provide a starting point, they cannot replace tailored legal advice. Because even small oversights can set an application back months, while a well-prepared file can move forward without unnecessary delays.
If you are unsure which visa category fits your circumstances or you want reassurances that your case is being handled correctly, working with an experienced U.S. immigration lawyer can give you peace of mind. Enterline and Partners has supported individuals, couples, and families worldwide by offering personalized strategies that go beyond generic checklists.
Take the next step with confidence. Contact Enterline and Partners today to schedule a professional U.S. immigration consultation and receive guidance built around your situation.
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Copyright 2025. This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This article may be changed with or without notice. The opinions expressed in this article are those of Enterline and Partners only.
