Farmington, ME Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Family Preference Green Card for authorizes particular family members of United States citizens and permanent residents to themselves become permanent residents in Farmington, ME and the entire United States. For those who are U.S. citizens, family members that can come to the U.S. with this category of green card include spouses, children (whether single or married) and siblings (providing that the citizen is over 21). With lawful permanent U.S. residents, the family members who may qualify for this green card include unmarried children no matter what age, and spouses.
Family preference permanent resident cards are different in application from immediate family member green cards, which are meant for parents, spouses, and minor children of U.S. citizens. Your Farmington, ME family green card lawyer can help you determine the correct type of green card category, reconnecting you with your family so you can build or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Farmington, ME Family-Based Green Cards Work?
To begin, the Farmington, ME family member who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident files Form I-130, known as a Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection needed for sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member who is not in the United States are required to wait for visas to become available depending on when they applied and the annual visa limits that Congress authorized. If the applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can petition for a status adjustment with various forms including I-485.
Each eligible type of relative is assigned a preference category, all of which have annual limits. First Preference, or F1, for example is for over 21-year-old, unmarried children of U.S. citizens. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. It's common for Farmington, ME applicants to wait for many years and, in some cases, decades for a family-sponsored green card to come.
Should You Hire a Family Immigration Attorney in Farmington, ME?
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and significant efforts and legal understanding. The USCIS does not disclose estimated processing times for family-based petitions, which can fluctuate substantially depending on your country of origin and your designated 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, it's critical that you file as soon as you can and with accurate information. A family immigration attorney in Farmington, ME can help you with the documentation and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
An immigration attorney in Farmington, ME can also help you navigate laws and regulations that change constantly and clarify confusing paperwork. They know the application’s schedules and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. With knowledgeable legal professionals in your corner, you can reduce wait times, experience a smoother application, and boost your likelihood of success.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Farmington, ME as Your Family Immigration Lawyer
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Farmington, ME. Our founder relocated to the United States as an immigrant, and a large number of our team members are also immigrants or have close family who are immigrants. Our multilingual, multicultural team of attorneys will assist your family through the legal immigration system and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We're eager to assist with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Start working with Weinstock Immigration Lawyers today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.