Saint Augustine, FL Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card permits specified family members of permanent residents and U.S. citizens to themselves become permanent residents in Saint Augustine, FL and the United States in general. For U.S. citizens, the relatives they can bring to the U.S. with this green card include spouses, children and siblings (if the citizen is 21 years or older). For those who are lawful permanent residents, the family members who may qualify for this green card include unmarried children and spouses.
Family preference green cards are different in application from immediate family member green cards, which are designated for a U.S. citizen's parents, spouses, and minor children. Family green card attorneys in Saint Augustine, FL can help you to decide the appropriate category of green card to apply for, reconnecting you with your family so you can create or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Saint Augustine, FL?
To begin, the Saint Augustine, FL family member who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident must file Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection necessary for the sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member who lives abroad must remain waiting until visas are obtainable depending on when they applied and the current visa limits imposed by law. If the family member is legally in the United States, they can request a status adjustment with various forms including I-485.
Each category of eligible relative is given preference classification, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. For example, First Preference, or F1, is for the unmarried, over 21-year-old children of United States citizens. F1 is allocated 23,400 of 226,000 available yearly family preference green cards. Saint Augustine, 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 Saint Augustine, FL?
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and significant efforts and particular know-how. The processing times for family-based petitions are not made available by the United States Citizens and Immigration Services, which can vary significantly depending on the country you’re immigrating from and which preference category you belong to. With that being said, there are reports of more than fifteen-year waits for F4, or sibling, visas. If you're facing the potential of such a long wait, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with all of your correct data . A family immigration attorney in Saint Augustine, FL can help you with the documentation and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
Your Saint Augustine, Florida immigration attorney can also help you navigate ever-changing laws and regulations and understand complicated documents. They know the application’s schedules and can coach you or your family members prior to 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.
Why Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers As Your Saint Augustine, FL Family Immigration Lawyer
When applying for a family-based green card, pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Saint Augustine, FL. Our founder moved to the United States as an immigrant, and numerous members of our team are immigrants or have immigrant family members themselves. Our team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers will assist your family through the legal immigration system as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* We're ready to help with all of your immigration requirements. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.