Clearwater, FL Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card permits specified family members of people who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents to gain permanent residency in Clearwater, FL and all of the United States. For those who are U.S. citizens, family members that can come to the U.S. with this type of green card include spouses, children (whether single or married) and siblings (providing that the citizen is over 21). With lawful permanent U.S. residents, the relatives eligible for this green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Family preference permanent resident cards do not have the same process as green cards meant for immediate family, which are designated for a U.S. citizen's parents, spouses, and minor children. A family green card attorney in Clearwater, FL can help you determine the right green card category to pursue, helping your family to reconnect and establish or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Clearwater, FL?
To begin, the Clearwater, FL family member who is a US citizen or permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form proves the family relationship that qualifies for the sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member who lives abroad are required to wait for visas to become available depending on when they applied and the yearly visa caps that Congress imposed. If the applying relative is already in the United States legally, they can petition for a status adjustment through form I-485 and others.
Every relative type who is eligible is assigned a preference category, 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. F1 is allocated 23,400 of 226,000 available yearly family preference green cards. Clearwater, FL applicants often wait for years and, in some cases, decades for family preference green cards to open up.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in Clearwater, FL?
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires consistent effort and particular know-how. The USCIS does not disclose estimated processing times for family-based petitions, which can change considerably which varies based on your nationality and your preference category. However, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. With this kind of potential wait, it's critical that you file as soon as you can and with accurate information. Your Clearwater, FL family immigration lawyer can assist with all the required paperwork and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
Immigration lawyers in Clearwater, FL can assist you in complying with regulations and laws that change regularly and understand complicated documents. They understand the tight application timeline 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 can reduce wait times, undergo a more seamless process, and boost your likelihood of success.
Why Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers As Your Clearwater, FL Family Immigration Lawyer
When you or a family member is applying for a family preference green card, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Clearwater, FL. Our founder moved to the United States as an immigrant, and many of our team members are immigrants or have close family who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual team can guide your family through the immigration procedures as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* We're ready to help with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Start today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee the same results.