Obtaining U.S. citizenship or a work visa is difficult enough. Doing it on a family basis, then, obviously adds a whole other level of complexity. Maybe too much for you alone.

That could be why you need a family immigration lawyer.

Like most specialists, family immigration lawyers have a particular expertise in the processes that relate specifically to obtaining citizenship and/or visas on a family basis.

This is not only a different process from standard citizenship and visa application, but it’s also much more highly nuanced, with more wrinkles, layers and procedures.

Obviously, having someone with expertise in the process can help you through.

But putting it that way grossly oversimplifies it.

Unfortunately, there are a number of consequences for mistakes at any point in the application process, and some can be mitigated by using a family immigration lawyer.

For one, there are costs, not only in application fees (for having to resubmit improperly filled out paperwork) but also potentially in fines (if, say, because you didn’t have expertise in representing yourself, you slipped up and were found in contempt of court) and, of course, the economic costs of lost time (generally) and hours at your work.

Obviously not things you want to encounter.

What’s more, the issue of time and comfort comes into play. If for whatever reason there is a hitch in the process, especially one that could’ve been avoided, not only could you be largely inconvenienced, but your family may also have to deal with discomfort if for whatever reason they’re held up by federal officials awaiting some sort of clearance.

Lastly, correcting these issues, once they arise, is often a long and cumbersome process. As is often the case in life, it’s harder to undo things during the immigration process already done than it is to, if you can, simply do them right the first time.