U.S. federal immigration law, practiced from Barcelona

U.S. Immigration

U.S. immigration law is federal law, practiced before agencies of the United States government rather than state courts, which means a U.S.-licensed attorney can handle it from anywhere in the world. Here, it is handled in Barcelona, in English, Spanish, or Catalan, by an attorney admitted in New York and a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).

Most matters begin with family: a marriage, an engagement, a parent or child on the other side of the Atlantic. Others begin with a business or an investment. Either way, the work is guided by an attorney who has been through the immigration process himself, in both directions, and knows what it means to build a life in a new country.

What Can Be Handled

Family-Based Immigration

Spousal, parent, and child petitions (Form I-130), marriage-based green cards, and the choice between adjustment of status and consular processing. The family side and the immigration side of the same life event, handled with one strategy.

K-1 Fiancé(e) Visas

For engaged couples where one partner is a U.S. citizen: the K-1 petition, the consular stage, and the path from entry to marriage and adjustment of status, planned as one timeline rather than three separate procedures.

Consular Processing in Madrid

U.S. visas for applicants in Spain are processed at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid. Preparation of the DS-260 or DS-160, assembly of the supporting evidence, interview preparation, and responses to administrative processing and refusals under section 221(g).

E-2 & E-1 Treaty Visas

Spain is a U.S. treaty country, so Spanish nationals can qualify for E-2 investor and E-1 trader visas. Structuring the investment or trade, assembling the evidence, and presenting a case built for consular scrutiny.

Naturalization & Citizenship

N-400 naturalization applications, including for applicants abroad; analysis of derivative and acquired citizenship for children of U.S. citizens; and certificates of citizenship. Some clients discover they have been U.S. citizens all along.

ESTA Problems & Waivers

ESTA denials, prior overstays or refusals, and questions of inadmissibility. An honest assessment of the options comes first, including waivers where available, because the wrong application at the wrong time can make things worse.

The Process

Consultation & eligibility

A confidential review of your situation, your goals, and your history, including anything that could complicate the case. You leave the first conversation knowing the realistic options.

Strategy

The right category, filing sequence, and timing for your case. Where several paths exist, the trade-offs are explained plainly before anything is filed.

Preparation & filing

Petitions, applications, and supporting evidence prepared thoroughly and filed with the appropriate agency: USCIS, the Department of State, or both.

Interview & follow-through

Preparation for the consular interview in Madrid or the USCIS interview in the United States, and responses to requests for evidence or administrative processing until a decision is reached.

U.S. immigration services are provided as the practice of U.S. federal immigration law before agencies of the United States government (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the U.S. Department of State), which a U.S.-licensed attorney may provide from outside the United States. This page is informational and does not constitute legal advice.

Who Handles Your Case

U.S.-Licensed Attorney, AILA Member

U.S. immigration matters are handled by an attorney admitted in the State of New York and a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, not a visa agency or a form-filling service. That means legal strategy, attorney-client confidentiality, and accountability to a bar.

A Family Lawyer's Perspective

Marriages, divorces, and custody arrangements often carry immigration consequences, and immigration cases often turn on family-law documents. This is one practice for both sides of that line, so nothing is lost between two specialists.

In Your Language

Consultations in English, Spanish, or Catalan. The forms are federal; the anxieties are personal. Both are understood here.

Start With a Consultation

For an assessment of your options (a family petition, a visa, citizenship, or an ESTA problem), describe your situation briefly:

Plaça Francesc Macià, 7, 12º
08029 Barcelona
Catalunya, Spain
+34 639 79 3313
+1 914 810-3781

WhatsApp
+34 639 79 3313

Email
dylan@cerbinilegal.com

By submitting this form, you consent to the processing of your personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

You'll hear back within one business day.

Website Owner

In compliance with Article 10 of Spanish Law 34/2002, of 11 July, on Information Society Services and Electronic Commerce, the following information is provided:

Owner: Dylan Scott Cerbini
NIF: Y8037674Q
Professional address: Plaça Francesc Macià, 7, 12º, 08029 Barcelona, Spain
Email: dylan@cerbinilegal.com
Telephone: +34 639 79 3313 / +1 914 810-3781

Regulated Profession, Professional Titles, and Accreditations

Dylan Scott Cerbini is a practicing lawyer in Spain, admitted to the Il·lustre Col·legi de l'Advocacia de Barcelona (ICAB), member no. 48837.

Dylan Scott Cerbini is also admitted to practice law in the State of New York, Registration No. 5306642.

He also acts as a civil and commercial mediator and is registered in the Spanish Registro de Mediadores e Instituciones de Mediación (Ministry of Justice).

Academic Qualifications Related to Professional Accreditations

Bachelor of Arts — New York University (United States), 2008
Juris Doctor — City University of New York (United States), 2014
Grado en Derecho — Universitat de Barcelona (Spain), 2023
Máster de Abogacía y Procura — Universitat de Barcelona (Spain), 2025
Curso de Mediación (100 hours) — Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (Spain), 2026

The U.S. academic qualifications are linked to professional accreditation in the State of New York. The Spanish academic qualifications are linked to professional practice in Spain. The mediation training corresponds to the activity of civil and commercial mediation.

Applicable Professional Rules

The practice of law is governed by the Estatuto General de la Abogacía Española, the Código Deontológico de la Abogacía Española, and, where applicable, the rules of the Il·lustre Col·legi de l'Advocacia de Barcelona (ICAB). These rules may be consulted on the official websites of the Abogacía Española and ICAB.

Scope of Practice and Connection to the State of New York

The primary seat of Dylan Cerbini's law practice is in Barcelona, Spain, and the primary law on which he provides advice is that of Spain and the European Union. While Dylan Cerbini is licensed to practice law in the State of New York and he visits the State of New York from time to time, he does not maintain a permanent physical presence in the State of New York. As such, any services which would constitute the practice of law in the State of New York within the meaning of N.Y. Judiciary Law sec. 470 will be provided in formal collaboration with another licensed attorney who maintains a permanent physical presence in the State of New York. Determinations of whether local counsel is necessary are made on a case by case basis.

United States immigration services consist of the practice of U.S. federal immigration law before agencies of the United States federal government, principally U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the U.S. Department of State. Such federal-law services may be provided by a U.S.-licensed attorney from outside the United States and are not subject to the local-counsel arrangement described above.

Private mediation services, not being subject to N.Y. Judiciary Law sec. 470, are provided internationally.

Purpose of This Website

This website is informational and promotional in nature. Its content does not constitute individualized legal advice and does not replace professional counsel tailored to a specific case. Engagement of professional services will require express acceptance of the corresponding professional mandate.

Fees

Fees are communicated individually based on the circumstances of each matter, unless otherwise expressly indicated.

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External Links

This website may contain links to third-party websites, provided solely for informational purposes. Dylan Scott Cerbini is not responsible for the content, policies, terms of use, or privacy practices of such external websites.

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NIF: Y8037674Q
Address: Plaça Francesc Macià, 7, 12º, 08029 Barcelona, Spain
Email: dylan@cerbinilegal.com
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