Farmingdale, ME Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Green Card for Family Immigrants enables certain relatives of United States citizens and permanent residents to be granted permanent residence in Farmingdale, ME and the United States in general. With U.S. citizens, the relatives they can bring to the U.S. with this 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 family members who may qualify for this green card include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference have a different path from green cards for immediate family members, which are designated for a U.S. citizen's parents, spouses, and minor children. A family green card attorney near you in Farmingdale, ME can help your family decide the correct type of green card category, helping you reunite with your family and begin or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Farmingdale, ME?
To begin, the Farmingdale, ME family member who is either a United States citizen or permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection that qualifies for the sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member who lives abroad must remain waiting until visas are obtainable based on the date they apply and the yearly visa caps that Congress imposed. If the applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can petition for a status adjustment by filing forms including I-485.
Every eligible kind of family member is given preference classification, all of which have annual limits. First Preference, or F1, for example is for over 21-year-old, unmarried children of U.S. citizens. Only 23,400 family preference green cards are allocated to F1 out of 226,000 total each year. Farmingdale, ME applicants often wait for years and, in some cases, decades for family-sponsored green cards to become available.
Should You Hire a Family Immigration Attorney in Farmingdale, ME?
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and consistent effort and particular know-how. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can vary significantly based on where you're immigrating from and which preference category you belong to. However, there are many reports of fifteen-year or greater waits for sibling, or F4, visas. When you face this kind of potential delay, it's critical that you file as soon as you can and with all of your correct data . Your Farmingdale, ME family immigration lawyer can help you present the requisite documents and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
Your Farmingdale, Maine immigration attorney can help you understand the regulations and laws that change regularly and clarify confusing paperwork. They understand the tight application timeline and can coach you or your family members prior to visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you can minimize delays, experience a smoother application, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Farmingdale, ME: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When you or a family member decides to pursue a family-based green card, select Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Farmingdale, 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 will assist your family through the legal immigration system and benefit from some of the immigration industry's highest approval rates.* We’re here to help with all of your immigration requirements. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.