Immigration Relief Lawyer Chesapeake, VA
If you are seeking an immigration relief lawyer in Chesapeake, Virginia, the legal team at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. can help. We serve clients throughout Chesapeake—including the communities of Deep Creek, Great Bridge, and Greenbrier—from our nearby Richmond location. Immigration matters are handled under federal law, but the process for Chesapeake residents often involves the USCIS Washington District Office in Fairfax for affirmative applications and the Arlington Immigration Court for removal proceedings. Our firm has practiced immigration law since 1997 and assists with green cards, naturalization, deportation defense, asylum, family petitions, and other forms of immigration relief. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
Call (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation. Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder, is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. He and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring extensive combined legal experience. Results may vary.
Last reviewed: July 2026
Reviewed by Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder
Admitted in Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York
Practicing since 1997
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ToggleImmigration Relief in Chesapeake: What to Know
Immigration relief encompasses a broad range of legal remedies under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Chesapeake residents may need help with adjustment of status (green card application from within the U.S.), consular processing (visa applications abroad), naturalization, deportation defense, asylum, cancellation of removal, family-based petitions, and VAWA immigration relief for victims of domestic violence. Although immigration law is federal, local geography matters: your application may be adjudicated at the USCIS Washington Field Office, and adversarial proceedings are heard at the Arlington Immigration Court (Arlington, VA).
Our firm’s immigration attorneys focus on preparing thorough, well-documented petitions that meet the exacting standards of USCIS and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). Whether you are a U.S. Citizen petitioning for a spouse abroad or a lawful permanent resident facing removal, we work to protect your status and future in the United States. Because immigration policy and processing times shift, we stay current with the latest USCIS guidance and EOIR practice.
How Our Immigration Relief Attorneys Handle Cases
From the initial consultation, we evaluate your eligibility for every available form of relief. We prepare and file Form I-130 (family petition), Form I-485 (adjustment of status), Form N-400 (naturalization), and other applications with attention to the documentary evidence required. When an individual is in removal proceedings, we identify defenses such as cancellation of removal, asylum, withholding of removal, or voluntary departure. Our attorneys accompany clients to USCIS interviews and represent them at master calendar hearings and individual merits hearings before an Immigration Judge.
Each case is managed by Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel immigration attorneys. While no lawyer can guarantee a particular outcome, our team works diligently to present the strong case. We have a track record of favorable results across multiple immigration matters, and we understand the human dimensions of immigration law. Results may vary. For a confidential discussion of your situation, call (888) 437-7747.
Meet Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Immigration Attorneys
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., established the firm in 1997. As a former prosecutor, he brings courtroom experience to every immigration matter. He is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova).
The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys—independent contractors, not employees—include practitioners with diverse backgrounds that enrich the firm’s immigration practice. Their collective experience covers family-based immigration, deportation defense, asylum law, and consular processing. Together, Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys have extensive combined legal experience in immigration representation. Results may vary. in your case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Immigration Relief in Chesapeake, VA
How much does a green card cost?
The total government filing fees for a family-based green card through adjustment of status typically range from $1,760 to $2,200, depending on the forms filed. The following are current USCIS fees:
The USCIS filing fee for Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) is $1,440. The fee for Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) is $675. Biometrics services cost $85. Fee waivers are available on Form I-912 for income-eligible applicants.
Source: USCIS Fee Schedule.
Reviewed by Mr. Sris, admitted in VA/MD/DC/NJ/NY.
Attorney fees are separate and vary by case. Contact our firm at (888) 437-7747 to receive a personalized fee estimate for your situation.
How long does it take to get a green card?
Processing times for a green card depend on the type of application and the applicant’s category. For immediate relatives of U.S. Citizens filing for adjustment of status with the USCIS Washington Field Office in Fairfax, VA, the process typically takes 8 to 14 months. Family preference categories can involve multi-year backlogs, and employment-based adjustment may take 12 to 36 months or longer.
Based on USCIS processing-time reports for the Washington Field Office (serving Chesapeake residents), Form I-485 for immediate relatives averaged 8 to 14 months in 2026. Processing times are updated monthly and vary.
Source: USCIS Processing Times.
Reviewed by Mr. Sris, admitted in VA/MD/DC/NJ/NY.
An experienced immigration lawyer can help you track your case and respond promptly to any Requests for Evidence (RFEs) from USCIS.
What happens if I get a deportation notice?
If you receive a Notice to Appear (NTA) initiating removal proceedings, you have the right to an attorney—although not at government expense. Chesapeake residents’ cases are heard at the Arlington Immigration Court (1901 S. Bell St, Arlington, VA 22202). The NTA will state the charges and the reason why the government believes you are removable. You should not miss any scheduled hearing. Possible defenses include cancellation of removal, asylum, adjustment of status, voluntary departure, or appeal. Our firm represents clients at all stages of removal proceedings. Call (888) 437-7747 as soon as possible after receiving a notice.
What immigration services are available in Chesapeake?
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. provides a full range of immigration legal services to residents of Chesapeake, Virginia. We handle family-based green cards, adjustment of status, consular processing, naturalization, deportation defense, asylum, VAWA immigration relief for victims of domestic violence, hardship waivers, and fiancé visas. While our primary meeting location is in Richmond, we serve clients throughout Chesapeake and the Hampton Roads area. You can reach us at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation.
Can I get a fee waiver for immigration applications?
Yes, USCIS offers fee waivers for certain forms if you can demonstrate an inability to pay. You must submit Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver) along with supporting documentation showing that you receive a means-tested benefit, have a household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or are facing financial hardship. Not all forms are eligible for fee waivers. Our firm can help determine whether you qualify and prepare the waiver request. Call (888) 437-7747 to discuss your eligibility.
What is the difference between adjustment of status and consular processing?
Adjustment of status allows a person already in the United States to apply for lawful permanent resident status without leaving the country, while consular processing requires the applicant to attend an interview at a U.S. Embassy or consulate abroad. Adjustment is filed with USCIS and is available only if you entered lawfully and meet other requirements. Consular processing is the route when you are outside the U.S. Or are ineligible to adjust. Both paths require approval of an underlying immigrant petition (I-130 or I-140). An immigration lawyer can determine which option is better for your situation.
Do I need a lawyer for my naturalization interview?
You are not required to have a lawyer for your naturalization interview, but having an attorney can help you navigate complex questions and avoid mistakes that could delay or deny your application. The naturalization interview tests your knowledge of English and U.S. Civics, and the officer reviews your entire immigration history. An attorney can prepare you, attend the interview, and address any legal issues that arise. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
What is VAWA immigration relief?
VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) immigration relief allows certain abused spouses, children, and parents of U.S. Citizens or lawful permanent residents to self-petition for lawful status without the abuser’s knowledge or consent. You must show that you have a qualifying relationship, that you resided with the abuser, that you suffered battery or extreme cruelty, and that you are a person of good moral character. VAWA self-petitions are confidential; USCIS is prohibited from disclosing information to the abuser. Our firm assists victims in preparing and filing VAWA petitions. Call (888) 437-7747 to speak confidentially about your case.
How does cancellation of removal work?
Cancellation of removal is a form of relief from deportation that allows a noncitizen who meets strict requirements to have their removal case terminated and obtain lawful permanent resident status. For non-permanent residents, the applicant must have been continuously physically present in the U.S. For at least 10 years, have good moral character, no certain criminal convictions, and demonstrate that removal would cause dedicated and extremely unusual hardship to a U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, parent, or child. For lawful permanent residents, the requirements are somewhat different. An experienced immigration attorney can evaluate your eligibility. To discuss the details of your matter, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
What is a hardship waiver?
A hardship waiver is a legal request to forgive certain grounds of inadmissibility or removability based on extreme hardship that a U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident qualifying relative would suffer if the applicant is not admitted or is deported. Typically filed on Form I-601 or I-601A, these waivers require detailed evidence of the hardship that goes beyond the normal emotional or financial difficulty of separation. Our attorneys help gather the necessary documentation and build a comprehensive hardship case. Call (888) 437-7747 for a consultation regarding your potential waiver.
How do I find an immigration relief lawyer near Chesapeake?
You can find an immigration relief lawyer by consulting law firm websites, reviewing client testimonials, and checking bar association directories. For Chesapeake residents, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. serves the area from our Richmond location. We offer consultations by appointment and can be reached at (888) 437-7747. We encourage you to ask about an attorney’s experience with your specific type of case and their familiarity with the local USCIS office and immigration court.
For a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys at (888) 437-7747.
Additional Immigration Services in Virginia
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Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — serving Chesapeake residents from our Richmond location. Consultation by appointment.
Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.