Bangor, ME Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card permits certain relatives of United States citizens and permanent residents to be granted permanent residence in Bangor, ME and all of the United States. For those who are U.S. citizens, family members that can come to the U.S. with this green card include children, spouses and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). For lawful permanent residents, the family members who may qualify for this green card include unmarried children and spouses.
Family preference permanent resident cards 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 Bangor, ME can help you to decide the appropriate category of green card to apply for, reconnecting you with your family so you can establish and continue your life together in the United States.
How Do Bangor, ME Family-Based Green Cards Work?
To start, the family member in Bangor, ME who is a lawful permanent resident or a U.S. citizen needs to file Form I-130, known as a Petition for Alien Relative. The form demonstrates the connection needed for sponsorship. Next, after USCIS approves the petition, the family member outside the United States has to stand by for visas to be available dependent on the date of submission and the current visa limits imposed by law. If the family member is legally in the United States, they can apply for their status to be adjusted by filing forms including I-485.
Each eligible type of relative falls into a category of preference, all of which have annual limits. For example, First Preference, or F1, is assigned to U.S. citizens’ children who are older than 21 and unmarried. F1 is allocated 23,400 of 226,000 available yearly family preference green cards. Many Bangor, ME applicants end up waiting for years and, in some cases, decades for family preference green cards to be available.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Bangor, ME
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and hard work and in-depth expertise. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can fluctuate substantially which varies based on your nationality and your assigned preference category. With that being said, there are reports of more than fifteen-year waits for F4, or sibling, visas. With this kind of potential wait, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with complete accuracy. Your Bangor, ME family immigration lawyer can help you present the requisite documents and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
An immigration attorney in Bangor, ME can assist you in complying with laws and regulations that change constantly and interpret complex documentation. They understand the application timelines and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you can minimize delays, experience a smoother application, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Bangor, ME: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When applying for a family-based green card, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Bangor, ME. Our founder moved to the United States as an immigrant, and many of our team members are immigrants or have family members who immigrated here. Our multicultural, multilingual attorneys will assist your family through the legal immigration system and benefit from some of the immigration industry's highest approval rates.* We're eager to assist with all of your immigration requirements. Start working with Weinstock Immigration Lawyers today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.