Westlake, LA Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Family Preference Green Card permits specified family members of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to become permanent residents of Westlake, LA, and the rest of the U.S. For those who are U.S. citizens, family members that can come to the U.S. under this type of green card include spouses, children (whether single or married) and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). If someone is a lawful permanent resident, eligible family members for this type of green card include unmarried children and spouses.
Family preference green cards do not have the same process as green cards meant for immediate family, which are for spouses, parents, and minor children of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney in Westlake, LA can help you to decide the correct type of green card category, helping you unite with your family to begin and grow your lives together in the United States.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Westlake, LA?
First, the Westlake, LA family member who is a lawful permanent resident or a U.S. citizen must file Form I-130, known as a Petition for Alien Relative. The form demonstrates the connection required for sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member who is out of the country 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 applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can apply for their status to be adjusted with various forms including I-485.
Each category of eligible relative has a defined preference categorization, all of which have annual limits. First Preference, or F1, for example is for over 21-year-old, unmarried children of U.S. citizens. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. Often, Westlake, LA applicants have to wait for years or in many instances, decades for family preference green cards to open up.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in Westlake, LA?
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and significant efforts and legal understanding. The USCIS does not disclose estimated processing times for family-based petitions, which can differ based on where you're immigrating from and your preference category. However, there are many reports of fifteen-year or greater waits for sibling, or F4, 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 . Your Westlake, LA family immigration lawyer can help you present the requisite documents and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
Westlake, LA immigration lawyers can assist you in complying with laws and regulations that change constantly and understand complicated documents. They have a grasp of application timetables and can coach you or your family members prior to visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you can reduce wait times, undergo a more seamless process, and improve your family's chances to achieve the desired outcome.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Westlake, LA as Your Family Immigration Lawyer
When applying for a family-based green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Westlake, LA. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have immigrant family members themselves. Our multilingual, multicultural team of attorneys can help your family navigate the legal immigration process as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* We're ready to help with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.