Saraland, AL Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Green Card for Family Immigrants enables specific relatives of people who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents to be granted permanent residence in Saraland, AL and the United States in general. If someone is a U.S. citizen, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. with this green card include minor and adult children, spouses and siblings (providing that the citizen is over 21). For those who are lawful permanent residents, the relatives eligible for this green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Family preference permanent resident cards differ in process from immediate family green cards, which are designated for a U.S. citizen's parents, spouses, and minor children. Your Saraland, AL family green card lawyer can help you to decide the right green card category to pursue, helping your family to reconnect and begin or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Saraland, AL?
First, the Saraland, AL family member 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 that qualifies for the sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member who lives abroad must remain waiting until visas are obtainable based on the date they apply and the annual visa limits that Congress authorized. If the relative is legally in the U.S. already, they can apply for their status to be adjusted through forms that include the I-485.
Each category of eligible relative has a defined preference categorization, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. F1, for example, which is First Preference, is for over 21-year-old, unmarried children of U.S. citizens. 23,400 family preference green cards are appropriated for F1 applicants yearly, out of 226,000 available. Many Saraland, AL applicants end up waiting for years or even decades for a family-sponsored green card to come.
Should You Hire a Family Immigration Attorney in Saraland, AL?
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires significant efforts and legal understanding. The processing times for family-based petitions are not made available by the United States Citizens and Immigration Services, which can differ depending on your country of origin and your designated preference category. With that being said, there are reports of more than fifteen-year waits for F4, or sibling, visas. With that kind of waiting period, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with the utmost accuracy. Saraland, AL family immigration attorneys can assist with all the required paperwork and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
Immigration lawyers in Saraland, AL can assist you in complying with ever-changing laws and regulations and interpret complex documentation. They understand the application timelines and can assist you and your family members in getting ready for visa interviews. When you have a strong legal team working with you and your family, you can reduce wait times, experience a smoother application, and improve your family's chances to achieve the desired outcome.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Saraland, AL as Your 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 Saraland, AL. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and numerous members of our team are immigrants or have close family who are immigrants. Our team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure and benefit from some of the immigration industry's highest approval rates.* We're ready to help with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee the same results.