Ellsworth, ME Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card for authorizes specific relatives of permanent residents and U.S. citizens to be granted permanent residence in Ellsworth, ME and the rest of the U.S. For those who are U.S. citizens, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. with this category of green card include minor and adult children, spouses 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 and unmarried children of any age.
Green Cards for Family Preference Immigrants have a different path from green cards for immediate family members, which are for spouses, parents, and minor children of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney near you in Ellsworth, ME can assist your family in determining the right green card category to pursue, helping you reunite with your family and begin or advance your lives together in the U.S.
Family-Based Green Cards: How Do They Work in Ellsworth, ME?
First, the Ellsworth, ME family member who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident has to file Form I-130, called a Petition for Alien Relative. This form helps demonstrate the family relation required for sponsorship. Next, after USCIS approves the petition, the family member who is out of the country are required to wait for visas to become available based on the date they apply and the annual visa limits that Congress authorized. If the relative is legally in the U.S. already, they can request a status adjustment by filing forms including I-485.
Each eligible type of relative is assigned a preference category, which each have their own annual limits. As an example, F1, or First Preference, is assigned to U.S. citizens’ children who are older than 21 and unmarried. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. Many Ellsworth, ME applicants end up waiting for years or in some cases, even decades for family preference green cards to be available.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in Ellsworth, ME?
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires hard work and legal knowledge. The USCIS does not disclose estimated processing times for family-based petitions, which can change considerably depending on your country of origin and your designated preference category. However, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. With that kind of waiting period, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with complete accuracy. Ellsworth, ME family immigration attorneys can assist with all the required paperwork and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
Ellsworth, ME immigration lawyers can also help you navigate constantly changing laws and regulations and understand complicated documents. They understand the application timelines and can assist you and your family members in getting ready for visa interviews. With experienced attorneys representing you and your family, you can minimize delays, experience a smoother application, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Why Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers As Your Ellsworth, ME 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 Ellsworth, ME. Our founder moved to the United States as an immigrant, and many of our team members are immigrants or have immigrant family members themselves. Our multilingual, multicultural team of attorneys will assist your family through the legal immigration system and experience some of the industry's highest rates of success.* We're ready to help with your and your family member's immigration needs. Start today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee future outcomes.