Family Immigration Lawyers for Green Cards in Lakeland, FL
A Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants allows particular family members of people who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents to be granted permanent residence in Lakeland, FL and the United States in general. If someone is a U.S. citizen, family members that can come to the U.S. under this type of 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 unmarried children and spouses.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference 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. A family green card attorney near you in Lakeland, FL can assist your family in determining the most fitting category of green card, helping your family to reconnect and establish and grow your lives together in the United States.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Lakeland, FL?
To begin, the Lakeland, FL family member who is a lawful permanent resident or a U.S. citizen files Form I-130, known as a Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection necessary for the sponsorship. Next, after USCIS approves the petition, the family member outside the United States are required to wait for visas to become available dependent on the date of submission and the yearly visa caps that Congress imposed. If the applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can apply for their status to be adjusted with various forms including I-485.
Every relative type who is eligible has a defined preference categorization, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. For example, First Preference, or F1, is assigned to U.S. citizens’ children who are older than 21 and unmarried. F1 is allocated 23,400 of 226,000 available yearly family preference green cards. Lakeland, FL applicants often wait for years or in many instances, decades for family-sponsored green cards to become available.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Lakeland, FL
The United States immigration procedure is time-consuming and necessitates substantial work and legal knowledge. The processing times for family-based petitions are not made available by the United States Citizens and Immigration Services, which can vary significantly which varies based on your nationality and your assigned 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 imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with accurate information. Family immigration lawyers near you in Lakeland, FL can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
Lakeland, FL immigration lawyers can also help you navigate regulations and laws that change regularly and understand complicated documents. They understand the tight application timeline and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. With experienced attorneys representing you and your family, you can reduce wait times, enjoy a more streamlined process, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Lakeland, FL as Your Family Immigration Lawyer
When applying for a family-based green card, choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Lakeland, FL. Our founder immigrated to the U.S. herself, and many of our team members are immigrants or have close family who are immigrants. Our team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers can help your family navigate the legal immigration process and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We're eager to assist with your and your family's immigration necessities. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.