Spanish Fort, AL Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card permits certain relatives of people who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents to gain permanent residency in Spanish Fort, AL and the rest of the U.S. With U.S. citizens, family members that can come to the U.S. with 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 spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Green Cards for Family Preference Immigrants do not have the same process as green cards meant for immediate family, which are for spouses, parents, and minor children of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney in Spanish Fort, AL can help your family decide the correct type of green card category, helping your family to reconnect and build or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Spanish Fort, AL?
To get started, the family member located in Spanish Fort, AL who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident has to file Form I-130, called a Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection needed for sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member who lives abroad are required to wait for visas to become available depending on when they applied and the annual visa quotas authorized by Congress. If the applying relative is already in the United States legally, they can request for their immigration status to be adjusted with various forms including I-485.
Each eligible type of relative is assigned a preference category, 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 23,400 of 226,000 available yearly family preference green cards. Spanish Fort, AL applicants often wait for years or even decades for a family-sponsored green card to come.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Spanish Fort, AL
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and substantial work and legal understanding. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can change considerably based on where you're immigrating from and your designated preference category. However, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. When you face this kind of potential delay, it's critical that you file as soon as you can and with the utmost accuracy. Spanish Fort, AL family immigration attorneys can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
Spanish Fort, AL immigration lawyers can assist you in complying with ever-changing laws and regulations and clarify confusing paperwork. They understand the application timelines and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. With knowledgeable legal professionals in your corner, you can minimize delays, benefit from a smoother experience, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Family Immigration Attorney: Why Pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Spanish Fort, AL
When you or a family member is applying for a family preference green card, pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Spanish Fort, AL. Our founder immigrated to the U.S. herself, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have close family who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual attorneys can guide your family through the immigration procedures and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We're ready 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.