Elko, GA Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants allows specified family members of people who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents to themselves become permanent residents in Elko, GA and all of the United States. With U.S. citizens, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. with this category of green card include spouses, children (whether single or married) 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.
Green Cards for Family Preference Immigrants 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 Elko, GA can help you determine the appropriate category of green card to apply for, reconnecting you with your family so you can begin and grow your lives together in the United States.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Elko, GA?
First, the Elko, GA family member who is a lawful permanent resident or a U.S. citizen needs to file Form I-130, known as a Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection that qualifies for the sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member outside the United States are required to wait for visas to become available dependent on the date of submission and the annual visa limits that Congress authorized. If the applying relative is already in the United States legally, they can request a status adjustment with various forms including I-485.
Each eligible type of relative is assigned a preference category, 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 only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. It's common for Elko, GA applicants to wait for many years or even decades for a family-sponsored green card to come.
Why Hire a Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Elko, GA?
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and significant efforts and particular know-how. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can fluctuate substantially depending on your country of origin 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, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with complete accuracy. Elko, GA family immigration attorneys can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
Immigration lawyers in Elko, GA can also help you navigate regulations and laws that change regularly and clarify confusing paperwork. They know the application’s schedules and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. With experienced attorneys representing you and your family, you may be able to get the visa much quicker, enjoy a more streamlined process, and improve your family's chances to achieve the desired outcome.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Elko, GA: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When you or a family member decides to pursue a family-based green card, select Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Elko, GA. 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 and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We're ready to assist with your and your family's immigration necessities. Start today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.