Geraldine, AL Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Family Preference Green Card for authorizes specified family members of permanent residents and U.S. citizens to be granted permanent residence in Geraldine, AL and the entire United States. For U.S. citizens, family members that can be brought to the U.S. under this type of green card include spouses, children and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). If someone is a lawful permanent resident, eligible family members for this type of green card include unmarried children and spouses.
Family preference green cards are different in application from immediate family member green cards, which are designated for a U.S. citizen's parents, spouses, and minor children. A family green card attorney in Geraldine, AL can help you to decide the appropriate category of green card to apply for, helping you unite with your family to begin and continue your life together in the United States.
Family-Based Green Cards: How Do They Work in Geraldine, AL?
To get started, the family member located in Geraldine, AL who is a US citizen or permanent resident must file Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. This form helps demonstrate the family relation required for sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member outside the United States has to stand by for visas to be available depending on when they applied and the annual visa limits that Congress authorized. If the family member is legally in the United States, they can request for their immigration status to be adjusted through forms that include the I-485.
Each eligible type of relative is assigned a preference category, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. As an example, F1, or First Preference, is assigned to U.S. citizens’ children who are older than 21 and unmarried. 23,400 family preference green cards are appropriated for F1 applicants yearly, out of 226,000 available. Many Geraldine, AL applicants end up waiting for years and, in some cases, decades for family preference green cards to open up.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Geraldine, AL
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and consistent effort and legal knowledge. The processing times for family-based petitions are not made available by the United States Citizens and Immigration Services, which can change considerably based on where you're immigrating from and which preference category you belong to. However, some have reported fifteen-year or more wait for an F4 (sibling) visa. If you're facing the potential of such a long wait, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with complete accuracy. A family immigration attorney in Geraldine, AL can assist with all the required paperwork and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
Geraldine, AL immigration lawyers can also help you navigate ever-changing laws and regulations and comprehend intricate documentation. They understand the tight application timeline and can coach you or your family members prior to visa interviews. When you have a strong legal team working with you and your family, you can shorten potential delays, experience a smoother application, and improve your family's chances to achieve the desired outcome.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Geraldine, AL: Your Family Immigration Attorney
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Geraldine, AL. Our founder moved to the United States as an immigrant, and numerous members of our team are immigrants or have family members who immigrated here. Our multicultural, multilingual team will assist your family through the legal immigration system and benefit from some of the immigration industry's highest approval rates.* We’re here to help with your and your family's immigration necessities. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee future outcomes.