Kennebunk, ME Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Green Card for Family Immigrants enables particular family members of United States citizens and permanent residents to become permanent residents of Kennebunk, ME, and the United States in general. For U.S. citizens, family members that can be brought to the U.S. under this type of green card include spouses, children and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). For those who are lawful permanent residents, the relatives eligible for this green card include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
Family preference permanent resident cards are different in application from immediate family member green cards, which are for spouses, parents, and minor children of U.S. citizens. Your Kennebunk, ME family green card lawyer can help you determine the appropriate category of green card to apply for, helping you reunite with your family and begin and continue your life together in the United States.
How Do Kennebunk, ME Family-Based Green Cards Work?
To start, the family member in Kennebunk, ME who is either a United States citizen or permanent resident files Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form proves the family relationship necessary for the sponsorship. As soon as that form is approved, the family member outside the United States are required to wait for visas to become available dependent on the date of submission and the annual visa quotas authorized by Congress. If the family member is legally in the United States, they can request a status adjustment through forms that include the I-485.
Each category of eligible relative has a defined preference categorization, all of which have annual limits. As an example, F1, or First Preference, is designated for unmarried children who are 21 or older of United States citizens. F1 is allocated 23,400 of 226,000 available yearly family preference green cards. Many Kennebunk, ME applicants end up waiting for years and, in some cases, decades for a family-sponsored green card to come.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Kennebunk, ME
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and consistent effort and legal knowledge. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can vary significantly depending on your country of origin and your assigned preference category. However, some have reported fifteen-year or more wait for an F4 (sibling) visa. With this kind of potential wait, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with all of your correct data . Family immigration lawyers near you in Kennebunk, ME can help you present the requisite documents and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
Immigration lawyers in Kennebunk, ME can assist you with understanding constantly changing laws and regulations and understand complicated documents. They understand the tight application timeline and can assist you and your family members in getting ready for visa interviews. With knowledgeable legal professionals in your corner, you can reduce wait times, undergo a more seamless process, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Why Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers As Your Kennebunk, ME Family Immigration Lawyer
When you or a family member is applying for a family preference green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Kennebunk, ME. Our founder moved to the United States as an immigrant, and numerous members of our team are immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers can help your family navigate the legal immigration process as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* We're eager to assist with your and your family member's immigration needs. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee the same results.