Family Visa Attorney in St. Johns County
When your spouse, child, or parent is far away, immigration paperwork does not feel like just forms. It feels like the barrier standing between your family and everyday life together. If you live in St. Johns County and are looking for a clear path to reunite with a loved one, you may be searching for guidance you can trust.
At The Law Office of Joanne M. Fakhre, P.A., we help families understand their options, plan carefully, and move through the family visa process with greater confidence. Our firm is led by attorney Joanne M. Fakhre, who is an immigrant herself and has personally navigated the U.S. immigration system. That experience, combined with our boutique approach, shapes the way we work with every family.
We focus on listening first, then building a realistic strategy around your goals. If you are unsure where to start, we can walk you through the steps and help you understand what to expect at each stage.
How We Help Your Family
Families in St. Johns County come to us with many different situations. Some are U.S. citizens recently married to a foreign national. Others are permanent residents hoping to bring a child or parent to live with them. Our role is to understand the details of your family relationship and immigration history, then apply the law in a way that fits your circumstances.
We work with a range of family-based petitions, including matters involving spouses, minor children, adult sons and daughters, and parents of U.S. citizens. For some families, a permanent resident card through a relative may be appropriate. For others, a temporary option may be part of a long-term plan. We explain the possibilities in plain language so you can make informed choices.
Because we are a boutique practice, we accept only as many cases as we can handle with focused attention. This selective caseload helps us respond to questions promptly and spend the time needed to understand your documents, timelines, and any prior filings. You are not expected to fit into a one-size-fits-all process. Instead, we work to tailor our approach to your family’s priorities.
Our family visa lawyer in St. Johns County, Joanne M. Fakhre, communicates directly with clients rather than operating behind layers of staff. Many families tell us that knowing who is handling their case and how to reach that person reduces their stress. We also monitor changes in immigration law and policy closely, and we adjust our guidance as rules and procedures evolve. Our goal is to keep you informed, not surprised, as your case moves forward.
Whether you view us as your guide or your long-term advisor, our family visa lawyer in St. Johns County strives to provide clear explanations so you always know the next step and how we are working on your behalf.
Call (904) 296-9232 or reach out to us online to discuss your family visa options with our family visa attorney in St. Johns County.
Understanding Family Visa Options
Family-based immigration can feel confusing, especially when online information seems to change or conflict. People in this area often ask first which relatives they may be able to sponsor. In general, U.S. citizens may petition for spouses, unmarried and married children, and parents. Permanent residents may petition for certain spouses and unmarried children. Within those broad categories, there are important differences that affect waiting times and available options.
Immigration law distinguishes between “immediate relatives” of U.S. citizens and other family preference categories. Immediate relatives usually include spouses, unmarried minor children, and parents of U.S. citizens, and they are not subject to the same annual numerical limits that apply to many other relatives. Preference categories cover relationships such as adult children and siblings. These categories often involve longer waits because of annual visa limits and country-specific backlogs.
For some families, the path involves an immigrant petition that can lead to permanent residence. For others, a non-immigrant route, such as a fiancé process or certain temporary stays, may be part of the overall plan. Choosing the right path depends on factors such as your status, the relative’s age and marital status, and whether the relative is currently inside or outside the United States. Our family visa lawyer in St. Johns County helps you weigh these factors so you are not guessing about which option may fit.
Most family matters include several stages. Typically, there is a petition filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. If the relative is abroad, the case may move through the National Visa Center and then to a consular interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. If the relative is in the United States and eligible, there may be a process to apply for permanent residence here. Each stage has its own forms, supporting evidence, and possible issues that may arise.
Information that is helpful to gather before your consultation includes:
- Full names, dates of birth, and current locations of you and your relative
- Details of your relationship history, such as marriage dates or how long you have lived together
- Copies of any prior immigration applications, visas, or notices your family has received
- Information about past entries, exits, or stays in the United States for your relative
- Any prior criminal or immigration related issues, even if you are unsure,e they matter
You do not need to have every answer before you contact us. Many families start with only part of this information, and we work with them to identify what is missing and how to obtain it. Our goal is to turn a confusing set of rules into a clear plan that respects both the law and your family’s needs.
What To Expect From Our Firm
When you reach out to us, our priority is to understand your story. During an initial conversation, we typically ask about your immigration status, your relatives’ background, and what you hope to achieve. We listen carefully, because small details often shape which options are realistic.
Communication is a common concern for families who have heard from friends that their updates were slow or confusing. At The Law Office of Joanne M. Fakhre, P.A., we structure our work so that you have direct access to Ms. Fakhre. You are not expected to communicate only through assistants. Our family visa lawyer in St. Johns County explains what we are doing and why, and we encourage you to ask questions when something is unclear.
Because we maintain a selective caseload, we are better able to respond to messages and review new developments in your case. When immigration agencies issue new guidance or change certain procedures, we review how those changes may affect existing and future matters. If a development may influence your case, we work to let you know and discuss how we may adjust our approach.
Throughout the process, we strive to be realistic rather than simply optimistic. Family immigration can take time, especially for certain categories, and there may be factors that create additional risk. Our family visa attorney in St. Johns County discusses possible challenges with you and explains the kinds of documents or explanations that may help address them. Our intention is not to worry you, but to ensure you are not surprised later.
As your matter moves forward, our family visa lawyer in St. Johns County keep you informed about filings we submit on your behalf and notices we receive. You should know when a petition has been filed, when a receipt or notice arrives, and what the next step will be. This level of transparency often helps families feel more in control, even when they cannot control agency processing times.
Serving Families In St. Johns County
Many of the families we assist live in St. Johns County and travel regularly to Jacksonville for work, school, or appointments. Our office in Jacksonville is a practical resource for residents of communities such as St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, Nocatee, and other growing neighborhoods in the county. Our family visa attorney in St. Johns County understands that your schedule may already be full with work and family responsibilities, so we offer options to meet in person or remotely when appropriate.
Most family-based immigration cases for people in this region are processed through national and regional immigration agencies, not a local field office in the county itself. For example, petitions are typically filed by mail or online with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Consular interviews, when required, usually take place at U.S. embassies or consulates in your relative’s home country. Our family visa attorney guides clients through these steps from our Jacksonville office while keeping the needs of St. Johns County families in mind.
Living in this part of Northeast Florida often means balancing commutes, school calendars, and travel costs. We take these realities into account when planning the case timeline. When possible, we schedule meetings and document collection in ways that work with your family’s routine. Our proximity also makes it easier to meet before important milestones, such as preparing for a marriage-based petition package or reviewing what to expect at an interview.
We have worked with families whose members are spread across different cities and countries, so distance within the region rarely stands in the way. Whether your relative is abroad or already in the United States, we coordinate communication and document exchange so that you are not left trying to manage everything alone.
Over time, we often build ongoing relationships with families in the area. As children grow, parents naturalize, or relatives’ situations change, they return to us for new questions about their next immigration steps. Our goal is to be a long-term resource for families who have chosen to make their lives in this county and the surrounding communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which family members can I petition for?
In general, U.S. citizens may file for spouses, unmarried and married children, and parents. Permanent residents may typically file for certain spouses and unmarried children. The best way to confirm who you can petition for is to review your status and family details together.
How long will my family visa case take?
Processing time depends on the type of case, your relative’s country of origin, and whether they apply abroad or inside the United States. Some immediate relative cases move faster than preference categories. During a consultation, we can review current trends and explain what may affect your timeline.
I live in St. Johns County. Can we still work together if your office is in Jacksonville?
Yes, we regularly assist families who live throughout St. Johns County. Many clients prefer to meet in Jacksonville when needed and use phone or video for other updates. We plan our communication around your schedule so distance within the region is not a barrier.
What if I made mistakes on a prior immigration application?
Mistakes on prior filings do not automatically prevent new options, but they must be reviewed carefully. We look at what was submitted, what agencies decided, and whether any misrepresentations or violations may be an issue. Then we discuss how those facts could influence your current strategy.
How will I stay informed about my case?
We work to keep you informed through direct communication with our family visa attorney, Joanne M. Fakhre. You receive updates when we file documents or receive notices, and we explain what each step means. Our selective caseload helps us respond to questions and keep you updated throughout your matter.
Talk With Our Immigration Team
If you are trying to bring a loved one to live with you in or around St. Johns County, you do not have to sort through the process alone. By speaking with our team at The Law Office of Joanne M. Fakhre, P.A., you can gain a clearer picture of your options, likely steps, and potential challenges before you decide how to move forward.
We bring an immigrant-led perspective, a boutique level of attention, and a commitment to direct, honest communication about your case. Our goal is to guide you through each stage of the family visa process with professionalism and care, so you always understand what is happening and why.
To talk through your family’s immigration options with our family visa attorney in St. Johns County, call (904) 296-9232 or reach out to us online for a confidential consultation.
