Family-Based Green Card Attorneys in Eastport, ME
A Green Card for Family Immigrants enables specific relatives of permanent residents and U.S. citizens to become permanent residents of Eastport, ME, and the rest of the U.S. For those who are U.S. citizens, family members that can be brought to the U.S. with this type of green card include spouses, children (whether single or married) and siblings (providing that the citizen is over 21). For those who are lawful permanent residents, the family members who may qualify for this green card include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
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. Your Eastport, ME family green card lawyer can help you determine the right green card category to pursue, helping your family to reconnect and begin or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Eastport, ME?
First, the Eastport, ME family member who is either a United States citizen or permanent resident must file Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection needed for sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member outside the United States has to stand by for visas to be available depending on when they applied and the current visa limits imposed by law. If the family member is legally in the United States, they can request for their immigration status to be adjusted through form I-485 and others.
Each eligible type of relative has a defined preference categorization, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. First Preference, or F1, for example is for over 21-year-old, unmarried children of U.S. citizens. F1 is allocated 23,400 of 226,000 available yearly family preference green cards. Eastport, ME applicants often wait for years and, in some cases, decades for family preference green cards to open up.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Eastport, ME
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires consistent effort and in-depth expertise. The USCIS does not disclose estimated processing times for family-based petitions, which can vary significantly based on where you're immigrating from and your assigned preference category. However, there are many reports of fifteen-year or greater waits for sibling, or F4, visas. When you face this kind of potential delay, you must apply as early as possible and with accurate information. Family immigration lawyers near you in Eastport, ME can help you with the documentation and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
Your Eastport, Maine immigration attorney can help you understand the constantly changing laws and regulations and comprehend intricate documentation. They understand the tight application timeline and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you may be able to get the visa much quicker, undergo a more seamless process, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Eastport, ME: Your Family Immigration Attorney
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Eastport, ME. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have immigrant family members themselves. 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 ready to assist with your and your family's immigration necessities. Start today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee the same results.