Marriage Visas With You From Beginning To End

Marriage Visa Lawyer in Miami

An Immigrant Attorney Who Knows This Process from the Inside

Bringing a spouse to the United States involves federal agencies, strict documentation requirements, and interviews where a single inconsistency can trigger delays or denials. Miami’s internationally connected population means many couples span Latin America, the Caribbean, and beyond, adding consular layers to an already detailed process. Attorney Juliana G. Lamardo has guided clients through marriage-based immigration since founding the firm in 2016, bringing more than a decade of U.S. immigration law experience and a personal understanding of what it means to navigate this system from the inside. Services are available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Ready to start your marriage visa case? Call our Miami marriage immigration attorneys at (305) 444-0099 to schedule a consultation.

Why Miami Couples Work with Law Offices of Juliana Lamardo, Attorney At Law

Most immigration firms route cases through layers of staff. At Law Offices of Juliana Lamardo, Attorney At Law, clients work directly with Attorney Juliana G. Lamardo from the first consultation through the final decision. Attorney Lamardo is an immigrant herself, having moved from São Paulo, Brazil, to the United States. That firsthand experience shapes how she approaches every marriage visa case: with clarity about what the process actually feels like, not just what the regulations say.

The firm is recognized for taking on complicated cases others overlook. A documented case result shows a client obtaining permanent residency after their I-130 petition had been denied twice due to allegations of marital fraud. That kind of high-scrutiny representation requires detailed preparation and a thorough command of USCIS adjudication standards. Attorney Lamardo stays current on policy shifts by attending seminars, reviewing current case law, and continuing her legal education in immigration law. She holds membership in the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), is admitted to The Florida Bar, and received Avvo Clients’ Choice recognition in 2016 and 2017.

Two Pathways: Consular Processing vs. Adjustment of Status

Which route applies to a couple depends primarily on where the foreign spouse is living when the process begins. Both pathways start with the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident filing Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS to establish the qualifying relationship.

Spouses Living Abroad:
Couples where the foreign spouse is outside the U.S. pursue an immigrant visa through a U.S. consulate or embassy in the spouse’s home country. Spouses of U.S. citizens are treated as immediate relatives and aren’t subject to annual visa number caps, which generally produces faster processing. Spouses of lawful permanent residents fall into a preference category and may wait longer depending on current USCIS and State Department backlogs.

Spouses Already in the United States:
A foreign spouse who entered the U.S. in a lawful status may be eligible to adjust their status to lawful permanent resident without leaving the country, typically by filing Form I-485 concurrently with the I-130 petition when sponsored by a U.S. citizen. After approval, if the marriage is less than two years old, the spouse receives conditional permanent residence, a two-year green card. Before that card expires, the couple must jointly file Form I-751 within the 90-day window before expiration to remove conditions and obtain a 10-year permanent green card.

Common Challenges in Marriage Visa Cases

USCIS requires couples to demonstrate that a marriage is bona fide, meaning it was entered into for genuine reasons rather than immigration benefits. The Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) adds a financial dimension: the petitioning spouse must show household income at or above 125% of the federal poverty guidelines for their household size. A joint sponsor can be used when the petitioner’s income falls short.

Proving a Bona Fide Marriage

Acceptable evidence of a genuine marriage includes joint bank accounts, a shared lease or mortgage, utility bills in both names, photographs together over time, and affidavits from people who know the couple. A thorough, well-organized evidence package from the outset can reduce the risk of requests for evidence that can add months to processing times.

The USCIS or Consular Interview

The interview is where cases under scrutiny are most vulnerable. An officer may question both spouses separately about their relationship history, daily routines, and shared life. Attorney Lamardo prepares clients specifically for this step, as reflected in client reviews describing interview preparation sessions with her.

Cases with Prior Complications

Cases involving a prior visa denial, a removal order, or a criminal record may require additional legal strategy before a marriage visa petition can move forward. The firm’s track record with twice-denied petitions shows the value of careful preparation in high-scrutiny situations.

Schedule a Consultation with Our Miami Marriage Visa Attorneys

Whether you’re ready to begin the marriage visa process or a prior application has run into problems, we can review your situation. Call Law Offices of Juliana Lamardo, Attorney At Law at (305) 444-0099 to schedule your consultation.

Marriage Visa Types: CR-1, IR-1, K-3, & Adjustment of Status

Which visa category applies to your situation determines your timeline, the green card you receive, and the steps required after arrival. These distinctions matter before a petition is filed.

CR-1 vs. IR-1 Immigrant Visas:
Both are spousal immigrant visas for foreign spouses of U.S. citizens processing abroad. The CR-1 (Conditional Resident) applies when the marriage is less than two years old at the time of approval and results in a two-year conditional green card. The IR-1 (Immediate Relative) applies when the marriage is two or more years old at approval and results in a 10-year permanent green card, bypassing the conditional residence step entirely.

The K-3 Visa:
The K-3 nonimmigrant visa was designed to allow a foreign spouse to enter the U.S. while the immigrant visa petition was still being processed. In practice, immigrant visa processing times have shortened to the point where the K-3 pathway is rarely faster than the direct immigrant visa route today. Minor children of a K-3 holder may be eligible for a K-4 visa to accompany or follow the parent.

Adjustment of Status:
A foreign spouse already present in the U.S. in a lawful status can apply for a green card through adjustment of status (Form I-485) without leaving the country. When sponsored by a U.S. citizen, the I-130 and I-485 can typically be filed at the same time, consolidating both steps into a single concurrent filing.

Documentation for Marriage Visa Cases

Gathering the right documents early can reduce the risk of requests for evidence that delay processing.

Required Civil Documents

Standard civil documents required for most marriage visa cases include the following:

Certified marriage certificates
Birth certificates
Valid passports
Divorce decrees for any prior marriages

Relationship Evidence

Documentation supporting a bona fide marriage typically includes the following:

Joint lease agreements
Joint bank account statements
Joint insurance policies
Photographs spanning the relationship
Written statements from people who know the couple personally

Financial & Processing Documents

The Affidavit of Support requires the petitioning sponsor to document income at or above 125% of the federal poverty guideline; a joint sponsor may be added if the petitioner’s income is insufficient on its own. Applicants processing locally may need certified copies from the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts or medical examination results from a USCIS-designated civil surgeon. For consular processing cases, the National Visa Center collects and reviews documents before scheduling the visa interview at the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate in the foreign spouse’s home country.

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"Having Juliana as my attorney was definitely the best decision"
Going through the immigration process is overwhelming. But having Juliana as my attorney was definitely the best decision - always responsive, caring, and genuinely invested in helping me. Today I’m holding my approval because of her hard work and guidance. I can’t thank her enough and would recommend her to anyone who wants an attorney that truly cares. I don’t have words to express how thankful I am. Thank you so much Juliana!!!

- D.C.
"She is amazing!!"
They say marriage interviews you are to be afraid of - but with Ms. Lamardo, that is out the door. Juliana helped us get all together, talked to us, gave us a preview and we felt way more confident. The day arrived and it was so fun with her, we laughed, we met other attorneys, we even forgot that we had the interview. We went in, and everything went smoothly. It was great! She is amazing!! Of course before all that fun we had some serious time to prepare and get everything we needed and she helped us do that and her name is well known so we were good. I just want to say - Thank you very very much!

- Luis
"Thank you, Juliana for all your help with my case."
She is very knowledgeable, thorough, a great communicator, and truly represents best interests of her clients. If Juliana takes your case, you can be confident that she will do everything and will win it. Besides being an outstanding professional, she also has a very nice personality, and it's simply a pleasure to work with her. Thank you, Juliana for all your help with my case.

- Wojciech
"My level of happiness for my case being approved is equal to how much grateful I am to Ms. Juliana."
Today I got the news from Ms. Juliana that my case was approved and I'm so excited that I can't thank her enough for all her professionalism, support and guidance since day one. She is not only an outstanding attorney but a great and warm person. She gives you that extra piece of mind that you need when going through this immigration process. My level of happiness for my case being approved is equal to how much grateful I am to Ms. Juliana.

- Fabiana
"With great appreciation I like to say thank you Juliana for all your great effort in helping me become a citizen."
With great appreciation I like to say thank you Juliana for all your great effort in helping me become a citizen. It was a long journey and I do appreciate your consistency and dedication in handling my case. You were very sweet during the entire process and understanding. I will forever be thankful and will always keep you in mind for whoever I can refer you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Peter.

- Peter
"Went Above and Beyond"
Juliana started to work on our file and completely turned an unpleasant situation into a very positive one. She handled our situation with the utmost care and went above and beyond every step of the process. Whenever we had a question she answered promptly or got back to us with a reasonable amount of time. Her customer service was exceptional and I appreciate the care she gave to us during a very difficult time in my families life. I highly recommend.

- Alfonso & Stephanie
"An Absolutely Incredible Job on My Case"
Ms. Lamardo did an absolutely incredible job on my case. She listened attentively to my concerns and addressed every single item I was worried about. I have had a series of very bad experiences with multiple attorneys and Ms. Lamardo came highly recommended for her experience and professionalism. She went above and beyond even showing up to USCIS when no one would return her calls or emails about my case. NOW HERE I AM, VERY HAPPY TO BE A PERMANENT RESIDENT. Next, my citizenship. THANK YOU JULIANA, YOU SAVED MY LIFE. If you are looking for the best, I strongly recommend you call Ms. Lamardo before you waste your time and money on a bait and switch firm. She will attend to your case personally.

- Mario
"Solved My Case the Best Way Possible"
I highly recommend this lawyer as she has solved my case the best way possible! She's friendly and replies to all of my e-mails promptly. Extremely professional!

- Anonymous

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Why is Juliana G. Lamardo, Attorney at Law The Best Attorney for YOU?

Specializes in Complicated or Overlooked Cases
Juliana and her team understand and work hard to fight the cases that other attorneys turn away.
Quick to Respond
Juliana and her team are very good at communicating quickly and working on Detention Cases.
Knowledge of the Law
Juliana is very experienced with Immigration Law including Bond Cases and Complicated Removal Cases.
Same Attorney From Start to Finish
Always work directly with Attorney Juliana G. Lamardo from the beginning of your case through to the end.
An Attorney Who Understands
Juliana was an immigrant herself and understands the difficulties her clients face.
Services Available in English, Spanish & Portuguese
Speak directly to an attorney who understands the immigration process.

(305) 444-0099 Nosotros Hablamos Español

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