Family-Based Green Card Attorneys in Gardiner, ME
A Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants allows particular family members of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to be granted permanent residence in Gardiner, ME and the United States in general. For those who are U.S. citizens, family members that can be brought to the U.S. with this green card include minor and adult children, spouses and siblings (as long as the citizen is at least 21). If someone is a lawful permanent resident, eligible family members for this type of green card include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference differ in process from immediate family green cards, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. Your Gardiner, ME family green card lawyer can help you to decide the appropriate category of green card to apply for, reconnecting you with your family so you can begin and continue your life together in the United States.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Gardiner, ME?
First, the Gardiner, ME family member who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form helps demonstrate the family relation needed for sponsorship. As soon as that form is approved, the family member who is out of the country has to stand by for visas to be available depending on when they applied and the annual visa limits that Congress authorized. If the relative is legally in the U.S. already, they can request a status adjustment through form I-485 and others.
Each category of eligible relative falls into a category of preference, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. First Preference, or F1, for example is designated for unmarried children who are 21 or older of United States citizens. 23,400 family preference green cards are appropriated for F1 applicants yearly, out of 226,000 available. Gardiner, ME applicants often wait for years or in many instances, decades for a family-sponsored green card to come.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Gardiner, ME
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires significant efforts and legal knowledge. The USCIS does not disclose estimated processing times for family-based petitions, which can differ depending on the country 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. If you're facing the potential of such a long wait, you must apply as early as possible and with the utmost accuracy. Your Gardiner, ME family immigration lawyer can assist with all the required paperwork and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
Your Gardiner, Maine immigration attorney can assist you in complying with ever-changing laws and regulations and interpret complex documentation. They know the application’s schedules and can assist you and your family members in getting ready for visa interviews. With knowledgeable legal professionals in your corner, you can shorten potential delays, benefit from a smoother experience, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Why Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers As Your Gardiner, ME Family Immigration Lawyer
When applying for a family-based green card, choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Gardiner, ME. Our founder immigrated to the U.S. herself, and many of our team members are immigrants or have family members who immigrated here. Our multicultural, multilingual team will assist your family through the legal immigration system as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* We're ready to help with your and your family member's immigration needs. Start working with Weinstock Immigration Lawyers today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar result.