Whatley, AL Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants allows specific relatives of United States citizens and permanent residents to become permanent residents of Whatley, AL, and the entire United States. If someone is a U.S. citizen, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. with this category of green card include children, spouses and siblings (as long as the citizen is at least 21). For lawful permanent residents, the relatives eligible for this green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Family preference green cards differ in process from immediate family green cards, which are meant for parents, spouses, and minor children of U.S. citizens. Family green card attorneys in Whatley, AL can help your family decide the right green card category to pursue, helping you unite with your family to create and grow your lives together in the United States.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Whatley, AL?
To start, the family member in Whatley, AL who is either a United States citizen or permanent resident has to file Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form helps demonstrate the family relation required for sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member who is out of the country 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 petition for a status adjustment with various forms including I-485.
Each category of eligible relative is assigned a preference category, which each have their own annual limits. As an example, F1, or First Preference, 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. It's common for Whatley, AL applicants to wait for many years or in some cases, even decades for family preference green cards to open up.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in Whatley, AL?
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and consistent effort and in-depth expertise. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can differ depending on your country of origin and your assigned preference category. However, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. If you're facing the potential of such a long wait, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with the utmost accuracy. Family immigration lawyers near you in Whatley, AL can assist with all the required paperwork and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
An immigration attorney in Whatley, AL can assist you with understanding regulations and laws that change regularly and interpret complex documentation. They have a grasp of application timetables and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you may be able to get the visa much quicker, enjoy a more streamlined process, and boost your likelihood of success.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Whatley, AL: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When you or a family member is applying for a family preference green card, pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Whatley, AL. Our founder immigrated to the U.S. herself, and a large number of our team members are also immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers can help your family navigate the legal immigration process and experience some of the industry's highest rates of success.* We're ready to assist with your and your family member's immigration needs. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee the same results.