Couples Immigration Onboarding Guide

Your Roadmap To Immigration Success

Welcome to Immigration For Couples!



At IfC, our passionate team is at the core of what makes us special. Made up of multiple members who have personal experience with the immigration process, we can say that our staff truly empathizes with your situation and understands what you’re going through. Whether it’s at the forefront or diligently pushing forward behind the scenes, these are the dedicated professionals who will be working as a team to move your case forward:



(photo)

Megan Pastrana, Managing Attorney & CEO 

Meet Megan Pastrana, our fearless CEO & Managing Attorney at Immigration for Couples, whose journey in founding the firm was inspired by her own love story. It’s her combination of passion, expertise, and empathy that has Megan affectionately known as our “Lawyer for Lovers”.  Not only has Megan's innovative approach skyrocketed our firm onto the Law Firm 500 List, but she's also a go-to immigration policy expert for Congress and the media, with a special talent for making complex legal matters simple. When she's not championing love across borders, you can find Megan on her family farm, traveling the world with her husband, or enjoying peaceful walks with her two dogs.



(photo)

Julie Ayers, Firm Administrator

Say hello to Julie Ayers, our enthusiastic Firm Administrator and a true romantic at heart, whose journey has taken her from the rolling hills of Northern California to the sunny shores of Florida. With a background as a certified litigation paralegal and over a decade in office administration, Julie's diverse experience is matched only by her passion for helping couples navigate their immigration dreams. When she's not keeping our office running like a well-oiled machine, Julie can be found striking a yoga pose, penning her latest creative piece, cheering for the Tennessee Volunteers, or enjoying magical moments with her family at Disney Parks and Florida's stunning beaches.



Our dynamic Firm Administrator excels in bridging communication gaps, ensuring everyone is on the same page. With adept multitasking, she seamlessly manages billing, human resources, streamlines case logistics, and plays a pivotal role in the overall coordination of our team's success.



(photo)

Katherine Clayton, Paralegal

Introducing Katherine Clayton, our seasoned Immigration Paralegal and travel enthusiast. Originally from Kentucky, she’s now been a Georgia resident for over 17 years. With a BA in Political Science and a heart full of wanderlust, she's helped individuals from over 62 countries navigate their immigration journey,  turning complex cases into heartwarming success stories. When she's not playing a pivotal role in powerful love stories, you can find Katherine reading a good book (or writing one), baking up a storm, or exploring new destinations with her husband and two daughters.



(photo)

Juan Ponce, Paralegal

Meet Juan Ponce, our dynamic Paralegal and a proud Ecuadorian native, who turned his personal immigration journey into a career of compassion and expertise at Immigration for Couples. A University of Connecticut alum with a passion for Family Immigration and Non-Immigrant Programs, Juan brings over four years of experience and a deep understanding of the emotional and legal intricacies of immigration. When he's not buried in a case, Juan loves to explore New England's hiking trails, try new recipes in the kitchen, or create music with friends. 

Our savvy paralegals bridge the gap between clients and attorneys, skillfully navigating case preparation and ensuring smooth communication, ultimately boosting the efficiency and success of our process.



(photo)

Lisa Papaj, Immigration Coordinator

Welcome Lisa Papaj, our compassionate Immigration Coordinator at Immigration for Couples, where her own family's immigration history intertwines with her professional expertise. With five years in immigration administration experience, Lisa's empathetic approach makes her a beacon for couples navigating their immigration journey. When she's not helping our clients, Lisa spends time outdoors adventuring, camping and hiking with her spouse and pets. 

Our dedicated immigration coordinator is here to assist with new cases and ensure your successful integration into our firm.





(photo)

Erick Flores, Legal Assistant

Introducing Erick Flores, our dedicated Legal Assistant with a personal immigration story from Mexico, infuses genuine empathy into his work at Immigration for Couples. His first-hand experience with immigration expands his ability to assist and understand our clients' unique challenges. When not at the office, Erick is a culinary enthusiast, sports fan, and animal lover. Always demonstrating his incredible ambition,  he's currently enhancing his skills by working toward a degree in computer science. 

Our invaluable legal assistant is ready to assist with simple questions, handle incoming documents, and act as a crucial bridge between clients, paralegals, and attorneys ensuring a smooth flow of communication and efficient handling of essential tasks.



(photo)

Carlos Pastrana, Legal Assistant

Carlos serves as a legal assistant for the team. He is a citizen of both Mexico and the United States. Being an immigrant himself and navigating his own immigration journey, he understands firsthand what clients are experiencing and is grateful to be able to help others with their immigration journeys. 

In his free time, he enjoys riding his bike, working on cars, and any outdoor activity. He also regularly volunteers his time to assist with animal rescue organizations in both Mexico and the United States.



(photo)

Taylor Susong, Administrative Assistant

Meet Taylor Susong, our friendly and skilled administrative assistant and proud Indiana resident. With a bachelor’s degree in political science from IU Indianapolis and an ongoing pursuit of a paralegal certificate, Taylor brings a passionate commitment to immigration law and reuniting families. Her rich experience with state and federal government agencies, coupled with a State of Indiana certificate in multilingual proficiency, makes her a versatile and invaluable member of our team. Outside the office, Taylor's life is filled with the joys of spending time with her family, especially her partner and nieces, indulging in her love for reading, and enjoying the company of her cats. 

Taylor efficiently assists callers to our office to get the help they need, combining her professional expertise with a warm, approachable demeanor to make your experience at our law firm both effective and comforting. 



Our invaluable legal assistants are ready to assist with simple questions, handle incoming documents, and act as a crucial bridge between clients, paralegals, and attorneys ensuring a smooth flow of communication and efficient handling of essential tasks.



Your Route To Being Together

Hire an experienced firm to help you navigate your immigration process (CHECK! You already have and we are so excited to work with you!) Upon hiring, your case will be sent over to the legal team and someone will contact you about the next steps to get you started.

1. Prepare  your Petition:

Gather information and documentation needed for the first step of your Petition, which includes:

• A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date of at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the U.S. (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions).
• Birth certificate.
• Divorce or death certificate(s) of any previous spouse(s) for both the immigrating partner and the U.S. citizen sponsor.
• Police certificates from your present country of residence and all countries where you have lived for six months or more since age 16 (Police certificates are also required for accompanying children age 16 or older)
• Medical examination (vaccinations are optional, see below)
• Evidence of financial support 
• Two (2) 2x2 photographs. See the required photo format explained in Photograph Requirements
• Evidence of a relationship between immigrating partner and the U.S. citizen fiancé.

Submit this documentation to us.  will review the documents carefully and prepare the forms based on the information provided. Once we have it all, we will prepare the Petition for your review.



Review: 

The Petition will be reviewed thoroughly by you and our legal team.



Submission:

Your case will be submitted to USCIS by IfC, then you will be provided with detailed tracking information to watch along with us as your case is mailed.



Processing:

While the case is processing, our legal team will have eyes on it at all times and keep you informed on any updated steps and timelines.



Approval:

Congratulations! You made it to the next step!

1. Preparation of your Application:

• Gather information and documentation needed for the second step of your Application! 
• Submit this documentation to us. We’ll review the documents carefully and prepare the forms based on the information provided
• Once we have it all, we will prepare the Application for your review.

Review:

The Petition will be reviewed thoroughly by you and our legal team.



Submission:

Your case will be submitted to the NVC, then you will be provided with detailed instructions on how to submit the application.



Processing:

While the case is processing, our legal team will have eyes on it at all times and will keep you informed of any updated steps and timelines.



Interview:

IfC will notify you when your interview is scheduled, then we’ll schedule a meeting with the legal team to prepare you in detail for the interview process.



Approval:

Congratulations! You have been issued a visa to enter the United States!

IfC will advise you on entering the U.S.



1. Entering the United States



You will enter the U.S. and your green card will be mailed to you! 

Congratulations! You are now a Legal Permanent Resident of the United States.



Closing Call:

IfC will schedule a meeting with your legal team to advise you on what being a Legal Permanent Resident means and what the next steps will be in the future.



Managing Relationship Stress During The Process



The unfortunate truth is, that even with our experienced guidance to lessen the burden, this process can place strains on the relationship of an immigrating couple. At Immigration for Couples, we always intend to play a pivotal part in the next chapter of an already incredible love story. Even the best love stories have their ups and downs, and our empathetic team has the experience to offer some helpful relationship tips during this often stressful time.



Three Tips For Long Distance Relationships

One common challenge during the immigration process is maintaining a long distance relationship. If you find yourself in that situation, here are three ways to strengthen your relationship during that situation:



Tip #1: Be Intentional with Your Time

First off, it’s essential to set aside time for each other. Even if you’re in different time zones, a little effort goes a long way. We recommend sending voice memos to each other. It’s a sweet and personal way to share your thoughts and feelings. You can also cook together, either physically or virtually. Sharing a recipe and cooking the same meal while on a call can make you feel like you’re in the same kitchen. Another idea is watching movies or TV shows together using group viewing features. And hey, reading the same book and discussing it can create a shared experience that’s truly special.

Tip #2: Stay Present in Your Day-to-Day Life

Staying grounded in your daily life is incredibly important. Avoid getting caught up in worrying about the future or reminiscing about the past. By focusing on the present moment and engaging in activities that bring you joy, you’re nurturing your individual selves and creating a positive atmosphere for your relationship. Remember, pressure can either burst pipes or make diamonds – and we’re aiming for the diamonds!

Tip #3: Plan for the Future Together

Creating plans for when you’ll be together again can be a powerful motivator. Similar to how having a vacation planned boosts your productivity, having a visit or reunion on the horizon can uplift your spirits. Talk about what you’ll do, how you’ll spend your time, and visualize your shared moments. Having something to look forward to makes the waiting a little more bearable.



Read Success Stories

Hope is a powerful motivator. At times, you may be discouraged for various reasons. Maybe the process is taking too long and you wonder if it will ever end. Maybe you simply miss your partner. Whatever the reason for discouragement, others have found it helpful to view the experiences of other couples who have already successfully made it through the process.



We make an effort to regularly ask some of our clients to share their love stories, and we’ve been so blessed to have lovely couples like Josh & Ellen as well as Jorge & Kali (and others) share their encouraging journeys on our podcast, Navigating Love and Immigration.



In fact, the podcast (hosted by our founder Megan) contains episodes about a wide variety of topics that might concern you during this process, such as how you can work on self-love to benefit your relationship, how to strengthen your relationship through travel, and perhaps most important of all, some useful information about bringing your beloved pets to the U.S. with you.



Don’t Give Up

Most importantly, just remember that this journey looks different for everyone. It may be a true test of love and endurance on your part, but the late great Maya Angelou summed it up perfectly when she said:



"Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope."