Family-Based Green Card Attorneys in Cottondale, AL
A Green Card for Family Immigrants enables particular family members of United States citizens and permanent residents to become permanent residents of Cottondale, AL, and the rest of the U.S. If someone is a U.S. citizen, family members that can be brought to the U.S. with this green card include spouses, children (whether single or married) and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). With lawful permanent U.S. residents, the relatives eligible for this green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Family preference green cards differ in process from immediate family green cards, which are meant for parents, spouses, and minor children of U.S. citizens. Family green card attorneys in Cottondale, AL can assist your family in determining the appropriate category of green card to apply for, helping your family to reconnect and create and grow your lives together in the United States.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Cottondale, AL?
To start, the family member in Cottondale, AL who is either a United States citizen or permanent resident files Form I-130, called a Petition for Alien Relative. This form helps demonstrate the family relation needed for sponsorship. Next, after USCIS approves the petition, the family member who is not in the United States has to stand by for visas to be available based on their application date and the annual visa quotas authorized by Congress. If the applying relative is already in the United States legally, they can request a status adjustment by filing forms including I-485.
Every relative type who is eligible is assigned a preference category, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. F1, for example, which is First Preference, is designated for unmarried children who are 21 or older of United States citizens. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. Many Cottondale, AL applicants end up waiting for years or in many instances, decades for family preference green cards to open up.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in Cottondale, AL?
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and hard work and in-depth expertise. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can fluctuate substantially based on where you're immigrating from and your assigned preference category. However, some have reported fifteen-year or more wait for an F4 (sibling) visa. When you face this kind of potential delay, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with accurate information. A family immigration attorney in Cottondale, AL can help you present the requisite documents and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
Cottondale, AL immigration lawyers can also help you navigate laws and regulations that change constantly and comprehend intricate documentation. They understand the tight application timeline and can coach you or your family members prior to visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you may be able to get the visa much quicker, undergo a more seamless process, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Cottondale, AL as Your Family Immigration Lawyer
When you or a family member is applying for a family preference green card, pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Cottondale, AL. Our founder moved to the United States as an immigrant, and many of our team members are immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual team will assist your family through the legal immigration system and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We're eager to assist with your and your family member's immigration needs. Start working with Weinstock Immigration Lawyers today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.