Saint Stephens, AL Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Family Preference Green Card for authorizes specific relatives of United States citizens and permanent residents to gain permanent residency in Saint Stephens, AL and the United States in general. If someone is a U.S. citizen, the relatives they can bring to the U.S. under this type of green card include children, spouses and siblings (as long as the citizen is at least 21). For those who are lawful permanent residents, the family members who may qualify for this green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference 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 Saint Stephens, AL can help your family decide the right green card category to pursue, helping you unite with your family to begin and continue your life together in the United States.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Saint Stephens, AL?
To get started, the family member located in Saint Stephens, AL who is a US citizen or permanent resident must file Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection required for sponsorship. Next, after USCIS approves the petition, the family member outside the United States has to stand by for visas to be available dependent on the date of submission and the annual visa limits that Congress authorized. If the relative is legally in the U.S. already, they can petition for a status adjustment through forms that include the I-485.
Each category of eligible relative is given preference classification, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. First Preference, or F1, for example 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. Often, Saint Stephens, AL applicants have to wait for years or in many instances, decades for family-sponsored green cards to become available.
Should You Hire a Family Immigration Attorney in Saint Stephens, AL?
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires significant efforts and legal understanding. The USCIS does not disclose estimated processing times for family-based petitions, which can differ depending on the country you’re immigrating from and your assigned preference category. However, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. With that kind of waiting period, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with the utmost accuracy. Family immigration lawyers near you in Saint Stephens, AL can assist with all the required paperwork and correctly file it for your specific visa type.
Immigration lawyers in Saint Stephens, AL can also help you navigate laws and regulations that change constantly and understand complicated documents. They have a grasp of application timetables and can help you or your family members prepare for visa interviews. When you have a strong legal team working with you and your family, you may be able to get the visa much quicker, benefit from a smoother experience, and boost your likelihood of success.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Saint Stephens, AL: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When applying for a family-based green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Saint Stephens, AL. Our founder immigrated to the U.S. herself, and many of our team members are immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers will assist your family through the legal immigration system as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* We're ready to assist with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Start working with Weinstock Immigration Lawyers today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee future outcomes.