Family-Based Green Card Attorneys in Tampa, FL
A Family Preference Green Card permits specific relatives of permanent residents and U.S. citizens to gain permanent residency in Tampa, FL and the rest of the U.S. If someone is a U.S. citizen, family members that can come to the U.S. under this type of green card include children, spouses and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). With lawful permanent U.S. residents, eligible family members for this type of green card include unmarried children no matter what age, and spouses.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference differ in process from immediate family green cards, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney near you in Tampa, FL can help you determine the most fitting category of green card, helping your family to reconnect and establish or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Tampa, FL?
To start, the family member in Tampa, FL who is a US citizen or permanent resident must file Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection that qualifies for the sponsorship. As soon as that form is approved, the family member who is out of the country has to stand by for visas to be available based on the date they apply and the yearly visa caps that Congress imposed. If the applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can request a status adjustment through forms that include the I-485.
Each eligible type of relative is given preference classification, all of which have annual limits. As an example, F1, or First Preference, is for over 21-year-old, unmarried children of U.S. citizens. Only 23,400 family preference green cards are allocated to F1 out of 226,000 total each year. Often, Tampa, FL applicants have to wait for years or in many instances, decades for family preference green cards to open up.
Should You Hire a Family Immigration Attorney in Tampa, FL?
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires 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 change considerably based on where you're immigrating from and which preference category you belong to. However, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. With that kind of waiting period, you must apply as early as possible and with accurate information. Tampa, FL family immigration attorneys can help you with the documentation and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
Immigration lawyers in Tampa, FL can assist you in complying with ever-changing laws and regulations and clarify confusing paperwork. They have a grasp of application timetables and can assist you and your family members in getting ready for visa interviews. With experienced attorneys representing you and your family, you can minimize delays, undergo a more seamless process, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Tampa, FL as Your Family Immigration Lawyer
When applying for a family-based green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Tampa, FL. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and numerous members of our team are immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual team will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We're ready to assist with all of your immigration requirements. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee future outcomes.