New Orleans, LA Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Family Preference Green Card for authorizes specific relatives of people who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents to themselves become permanent residents in New Orleans, LA and the United States in general. If someone is a U.S. citizen, family members that can be brought to the U.S. with this green card include spouses, children and siblings (if the citizen is 21 years or older). If someone is a lawful permanent resident, eligible family members for this type of green card include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
Family preference permanent resident 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. Your New Orleans, LA family green card lawyer can assist your family in determining the appropriate category of green card to apply for, helping your family to reconnect and create and continue your life together in the United States.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in New Orleans, LA?
To get started, the family member located in New Orleans, LA who is a US citizen or permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. The form demonstrates the connection required for sponsorship. Next, after USCIS approves the petition, the family member who lives abroad must wait for visas to become accessible based on the date they apply and the yearly visa caps that Congress imposed. If the relative is legally in the U.S. already, they can petition for a status adjustment with various forms including I-485.
Every eligible kind of family member has a defined preference categorization, all of which have annual limits. F1, for example, which is First Preference, is for the unmarried, over 21-year-old children of United States citizens. Only 23,400 family preference green cards are allocated to F1 out of 226,000 total each year. It's common for New Orleans, LA applicants to wait for many years or in many instances, decades for family preference green cards to open up.
Why Hire a Family-Based Immigration Attorney in New Orleans, LA?
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires consistent effort and in-depth expertise. The processing times for family-based petitions are not made available by the United States Citizens and Immigration Services, which can fluctuate substantially which varies based on your nationality and your preference category. However, some have reported fifteen-year or more wait for an F4 (sibling) visa. With that kind of waiting period, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with complete accuracy. Family immigration lawyers near you in New Orleans, LA can help you with the documentation and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
New Orleans, LA immigration lawyers can assist you in complying with 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, benefit from a smoother experience, and improve your family's chances to achieve the desired outcome.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in New Orleans, LA: Your Family Immigration Attorney
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in New Orleans, LA. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have family members who immigrated here. 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 eager to assist with all of your immigration requirements. Start working with Weinstock Immigration Lawyers today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee the same results.