Auburn, ME Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Family Preference Green Card permits specific relatives of permanent residents and U.S. citizens to themselves become permanent residents in Auburn, ME and the rest of the U.S. For U.S. citizens, the relatives they can bring to the U.S. under this type of green card include spouses, children and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). With lawful permanent U.S. residents, relatives who could qualify 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 for spouses, parents, and minor children of U.S. citizens. Your Auburn, ME family green card lawyer can assist your family in determining the appropriate category of green card to apply for, helping you reunite with your family and establish and continue your life together in the United States.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Auburn, ME?
To get started, the family member located in Auburn, ME who is either a United States citizen or permanent resident must file Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. The form demonstrates the connection required for sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member outside the United States must wait for visas to become accessible based on the date they apply and the annual visa limits that Congress authorized. If the family member is legally in the United States, they can petition for a status adjustment with various forms including I-485.
Every eligible kind of family member falls into a category of preference, 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. 23,400 family preference green cards are appropriated for F1 applicants yearly, out of 226,000 available. Many Auburn, ME applicants end up waiting for years or in many instances, decades for family-sponsored green cards to become available.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in Auburn, ME?
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and substantial work and legal understanding. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can vary significantly depending on your country of origin and your assigned preference category. However, some have reported fifteen-year or more wait for an F4 (sibling) visa. If you're facing the potential of such a long wait, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with accurate information. A family immigration attorney in Auburn, ME can help you present the requisite documents and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
Auburn, ME immigration lawyers can help you understand the laws and regulations that change constantly and comprehend intricate documentation. They understand the tight application timeline and can assist you and your family members in getting ready for visa interviews. When you have a strong legal team working with you and your family, you can reduce wait times, experience a smoother application, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Auburn, ME as Your Family Immigration Lawyer
When you or a family member decides to pursue a family-based green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Auburn, ME. Our founder relocated 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 multicultural, multilingual attorneys will assist your family through the legal immigration system and experience some of the industry's highest rates of success.* We’re here to help with your and your family member's immigration needs. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee future outcomes.