Austin Visa Lawyer
Your Visa, Done Right The First Time
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How An Austin Visa Attorney Can Guide Your Case
If you are trying to bring a loved one to the United States, you already know how hard the visa process can be. Forms pile up, requirements shift, and one wrong answer can set your case back by months. When the stakes are this high, you need more than a checklist. You need a lawyer who knows U.S. immigration law and pays close attention to your case.
Michael G. Murray, P.A., is an Austin-based immigration law firm that works with individuals and families across the U.S. The firm has guided clients through some of the most complex visa matters the system offers, whether you are petitioning for a family member, seeking permanent residence, or reuniting with a spouse or fiancé.
The U.S. visa system is not simple. USCIS has strict rules, tight deadlines, and little room for error, and a missing document or a vague answer can trigger a delay or denial. That kind of setback is painful, especially when a family is waiting on the other side.
Immigrant vs. Non-immigrant Visas
Many people want to live in the United States, whether temporarily or permanently, and most visas are either immigrant or non-immigrant. An immigrant visa offers permanent residence and an eventual path to becoming a U.S. citizen. A non-immigrant visa is temporary and generally does not offer a path to citizenship.
A family relationship is one of the most common paths to an immigrant visa. Spouses of U.S. citizens, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens over 21 are considered immediate relatives. There is no yearly limit on immigrant visas for immediate relatives, so they face no wait beyond processing time.
Immigrant visas are also available for more distant relatives of citizens and certain relatives of green card holders, but the law caps the number issued each year. Those relatives can face long waits, tracked through the U.S. Department of State’s visa bulletin.
Family And Humanitarian Visas
Most of the firm’s visa work is family-based, and several specific paths fall under it:
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K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa: The K-1 visa lets the foreign fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen enter the country to marry within 90 days of arrival. After the wedding, the new spouse can apply for a marriage-based green card through adjustment of status.
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U Visa: The U visa is for an injured person who has suffered substantial harm from a qualifying crime and has been helpful, or is likely to be helpful, to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution.
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T Visa: The T visa is for someone who has been trafficked into or within the United States. It allows the person to remain in the country and, in many cases, to apply for a green card later.
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VAWA Self-Petition: Under the Violence Against Women Act, someone abused by a U.S. citizen or green card holder spouse, parent, or child can file a self-petition for lawful status without the abuser’s knowledge or involvement.
Why Michael G. Murray, P.A., Stands Out For Visa Cases In Austin
When your family’s future is on the line, you need more than a general practitioner. You need someone who knows where USCIS looks hard and how to keep your case moving.
Years Of Immigration Law Experience
Michael Murray has practiced immigration law for over 20 years. That depth shows in how he handles your file. He knows what triggers delays, and when rules or forms change, his experience helps you stay ahead of the problem.
Former Criminal Public Defender
Before focusing on immigration, Michael Murray spent two years as a criminal defense attorney at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office. If your visa case touches on a past arrest or legal issue, he knows how to address it directly.
Spanish-Speaking Staff
The firm has Spanish-speaking staff on hand. If English is not your first language, you can still get clear answers and won’t miss key details because of a language gap.
A Physical Office In Austin
The firm is located at 2028 E. Ben White Blvd, Suite 502, Austin, TX 78741, and in-person consultations are available. You get answers in a real consultation, not a phone tree or a chat box, which makes a difference when your case is complex.
One Focused Practice
The firm does not handle car accidents, divorces, or business deals. Immigration is the only focus, so every hour of attention goes toward immigration cases like yours.
To learn more about the team behind your case, visit the About Us page.
How Your Visa Case Moves Forward In Austin
Working with an Austin visa lawyer follows a clear path, and each step builds on the one before it.
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Step 1: Consultation: Your case starts with an in-office meeting. You share who you are, who you are trying to bring to the U.S., and what has happened so far. This is where goals are set and the right visa path is chosen.
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Step 2: Document review: Next, your documents get a full review, including identity records, proof of your relationship, and any past immigration history. If something is missing or wrong, the firm identifies it here, before anything goes out the door.
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Step 3: Strategy and case prep: Once your documents check out, a plan gets built around your facts. Immigration law requires specific forms, evidence, and language, and each piece of evidence gets matched to what the government needs to see.
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Step 4: Filing: Your petition or application gets filed with the right agency, either USCIS or the National Visa Center, depending on your case type. Filing errors cause long delays, so careful prep at this stage keeps your case moving.
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Step 5: Waiting and responding: After filing, there is a wait. Processing times vary from weeks to months. If the government sends a Request for Evidence (RFE), a complete response goes back quickly. RFEs are common and are not the end of a case.
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Step 6: Interview or approval: Some visa cases require an interview. For cases processed abroad, that interview takes place at a U.S. consulate. For green card cases processed inside the U.S., Austin-area applicants complete biometrics at the Application Support Center in Austin and attend their interview at the San Antonio Field Office.
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Step 7: Resolution: The case ends with an approval, a denial, or a request for more steps. If approved, the next stage, whether travel, entry, or a green card process, can begin. If there is a problem, options still exist.
Most visa cases move over several months, and cases with complications such as prior visa refusals or missing records may take longer. Knowing what comes next at each stage makes the wait easier to manage.
Ready To Move Your Visa Case Forward In Austin?
Visa applications involve federal agencies, strict deadlines, and forms that must be exactly right, and one mistake can delay your case by months. You do not have to sort through this alone.
Michael G. Murray, P.A., works with clients across Austin, Round Rock, San Antonio, and throughout the U.S. to build strong, well-prepared visa files. The firm reviews your full situation early, so problems get caught before a denial letter arrives. If your case has a prior visa refusal, missing documents, or an unusual situation, that is exactly when careful legal help matters most.
An in-office consultation at the Austin location means you get direct answers about your specific facts, not a generic overview you could find anywhere online. To get started, schedule a consultation with our firm. Your visa path starts with one conversation.
Questions About Austin Visa Cases
Can I apply for a visa if I’ve been denied before?
A prior denial does not always bar you from reapplying. The key factors are why you were denied and whether those issues have since changed.
How long does a typical family-based visa case take in Austin?
Processing times vary based on the visa type and where your case is reviewed. Some cases move in months, others take a year or more, depending on USCIS and consular backlog.
Does it cost more to use a lawyer than to file on my own?
Attorney fees are separate from USCIS filing fees, which you pay either way. Many people find that legal help avoids costly mistakes that would require refiling and paying again.
What happens if USCIS sends a Request for Evidence on my case?
An RFE means USCIS needs more proof before it can approve your application. You have a limited window to respond, and a weak or incomplete answer may result in denial.
Can my family member stay in the U.S. while the visa case is pending?
It depends on their current status, how they entered, and whether they qualify to adjust status from within the U.S. rather than through consular processing abroad. An attorney can review their situation and identify which options may apply.
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