Family-Based Green Card Attorneys in Hytop, AL
A Family Preference Green Card permits certain relatives of people who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents to become permanent residents of Hytop, AL, and the United States in general. For those who are U.S. citizens, the relatives they can bring to the U.S. under this type of green card include children, spouses and siblings (if the citizen is 21 years or older). With lawful permanent U.S. 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 differ in process from immediate family green cards, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. Your Hytop, AL family green card lawyer can help you determine the right green card category to pursue, helping you reunite with your family and create and continue your life together in the United States.
How Do Hytop, AL Family-Based Green Cards Work?
First, the Hytop, AL family member who is a lawful permanent resident or a U.S. citizen files Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. The form demonstrates the connection that qualifies for the sponsorship. When USCIS later 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 applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can request a status adjustment with various forms including I-485.
Each category of eligible relative has a defined preference categorization, 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. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. Many Hytop, 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 Hytop, AL?
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires significant efforts and particular know-how. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can differ depending on your country of origin and which preference category you belong to. However, some have reported fifteen-year or more wait for an F4 (sibling) visa. With that kind of waiting period, it's critical that you file as soon as you can and with accurate information. A family immigration attorney in Hytop, AL can help you present the requisite documents and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
Hytop, AL immigration lawyers can also help you navigate laws and regulations that change constantly and comprehend intricate documentation. They have a grasp of application timetables and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. With knowledgeable legal professionals in your corner, you can minimize delays, undergo a more seamless process, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Hytop, AL: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When you or a family member is applying for a family preference green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Hytop, AL. Our founder moved to the United States as an immigrant, and a large number of our team members are also immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our multilingual, multicultural team of attorneys can help your family navigate the legal immigration process and benefit from some of the immigration industry's highest approval rates.* We’re here to help with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Start today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.