Family Immigration Lawyers for Green Cards in Eagle Lake, ME
A Family Preference Green Card permits specified family members of permanent residents and U.S. citizens to gain permanent residency in Eagle Lake, ME and all of the United States. With 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 (if the citizen is 21 years or older). If someone is a lawful permanent resident, the relatives eligible for this green card include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
Family preference green cards are different in application from immediate family member green cards, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. Your Eagle Lake, ME family green card lawyer can assist your family in determining the most fitting category of green card, helping you unite with your family to create or advance your lives together in the U.S.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Eagle Lake, ME?
To begin, the Eagle Lake, ME family member who is a lawful permanent resident or a U.S. citizen files Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. This form helps demonstrate the family relation that qualifies for the sponsorship. As soon as that form is approved, the family member who lives abroad must remain waiting until visas are obtainable based on their application date and the current visa limits imposed by law. If the relative is legally in the U.S. already, they can petition for a status adjustment with various forms including I-485.
Each category of eligible relative falls into a category of preference, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. As an example, F1, or First Preference, is designated for unmarried children who are 21 or older of United States citizens. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. Many Eagle Lake, ME applicants end up waiting for years or even decades for family-sponsored green cards to become available.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in Eagle Lake, ME?
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and substantial work and legal understanding. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can change considerably depending on the country you’re immigrating from and your assigned preference category. With that being said, there are reports of more than fifteen-year waits for F4, or sibling, visas. If you're facing the potential of such a long wait, you must apply as early as possible and with the utmost accuracy. Your Eagle Lake, ME family immigration lawyer can assist with all the required paperwork and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
An immigration attorney in Eagle Lake, ME can assist you with understanding ever-changing laws and regulations and comprehend intricate 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, undergo a more seamless process, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Eagle Lake, ME as Your Family Immigration Lawyer
When you or a family member decides to pursue a family-based green card, choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Eagle Lake, ME. Our founder relocated to the United States as an immigrant, and numerous members of our team are immigrants or have close family who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual team can guide your family through the immigration procedures and experience some of the industry's highest rates of success.* We're eager to assist with all of your immigration requirements. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.