Fort Lauderdale, FL Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants allows certain relatives of United States citizens and permanent residents to themselves become permanent residents in Fort Lauderdale, FL and the rest of the U.S. For U.S. citizens, family members that can come to the U.S. with this category of green card include spouses, children (whether single or married) and siblings (if the citizen is 21 years or older). For lawful permanent residents, the family members who may qualify for this green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Green Cards for Family Preference Immigrants have a different path from green cards for immediate family members, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. Your Fort Lauderdale, FL family green card lawyer can help your family decide the appropriate category of green card to apply for, helping you reunite with your family and establish or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Fort Lauderdale, FL?
To begin, the Fort Lauderdale, FL family member who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident must file Form I-130, known as a 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 are required to wait for visas to become available based on the date they apply and the current visa limits imposed by law. If the relative is legally in the U.S. already, they can petition for a status adjustment with various forms including I-485.
Every relative type who is eligible is assigned a preference category, which all have individual annual caps. For example, First Preference, or F1, is for over 21-year-old, unmarried children of U.S. citizens. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. It's common for Fort Lauderdale, FL applicants to wait for many years or in some cases, even decades for family-sponsored green cards to become available.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and hard work and in-depth expertise. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can fluctuate substantially based on where you're immigrating from and your 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. Your Fort Lauderdale, FL family immigration lawyer can assist with all the required paperwork and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
Your Fort Lauderdale, Florida immigration attorney can help you understand the laws and regulations that change constantly and comprehend intricate documentation. They know the application’s schedules and can help you or your family members prepare for visa interviews. With knowledgeable legal professionals in your corner, you can minimize delays, experience a smoother application, and boost your likelihood of success.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Fort Lauderdale, FL as Your Family Immigration Lawyer
When you or a family member is applying for a family preference green card, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Our founder moved to the United States as an immigrant, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our multilingual, multicultural team of attorneys 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 immigration requirements. Start working with Weinstock Immigration Lawyers today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.