Birmingham, AL Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Family Preference Green Card permits specific relatives of permanent residents and U.S. citizens to gain permanent residency in Birmingham, AL and the United States in general. With U.S. citizens, family members that can be brought to the U.S. with this category of green card include children, spouses and siblings (if the citizen is 21 years or older). For lawful permanent residents, the family members who may qualify for this green card include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
Family preference permanent resident cards have a different path from green cards for immediate family members, which are designated for a U.S. citizen's parents, spouses, and minor children. Your Birmingham, AL family green card lawyer can help you to decide the right green card category to pursue, reconnecting you with your family so you can build or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Birmingham, AL Family-Based Green Cards Work?
To get started, the family member located in Birmingham, AL who is a US citizen or permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, known as a Petition for Alien Relative. This form proves the family relationship that qualifies for the sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member who is out of the country has to stand by for visas to be available based on their application date and the yearly visa caps that Congress imposed. If the applying relative is already in the United States legally, they can apply for their status to be adjusted with various forms including I-485.
Each eligible type of relative is assigned a preference category, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. For example, First Preference, or F1, is designated for unmarried children who are 21 or older of United States citizens. 23,400 family preference green cards are appropriated for F1 applicants yearly, out of 226,000 available. Birmingham, AL applicants often wait for years or even decades for family preference green cards to be available.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Birmingham, AL
The United States immigration procedure is time-consuming and necessitates significant efforts and particular know-how. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can change considerably which varies based on your nationality and your preference category. However, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. With this kind of potential wait, it's critical that you file as soon as you can and with the utmost accuracy. Your Birmingham, AL family immigration lawyer can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
Your Birmingham, Alabama immigration attorney can assist you with understanding regulations and laws that change regularly and clarify confusing paperwork. They understand the application timelines and can coach you or your family members prior to visa interviews. With experienced attorneys representing you and your family, you can minimize delays, benefit from a smoother experience, and improve your family's chances to achieve the desired outcome.
Why Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers As Your Birmingham, AL Family Immigration Lawyer
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Birmingham, AL. Our founder moved to the United States as an immigrant, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have immigrant family members themselves. Our multilingual, multicultural team of attorneys can help your family navigate the legal immigration process as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* We’re here to help with your and your family member's immigration needs. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar result.