Machias, ME Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card for authorizes specific relatives of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to be granted permanent residence in Machias, ME and the rest of the U.S. For those who are U.S. citizens, family members that can come to the U.S. with this category of green card include children, spouses and siblings (providing that the citizen is over 21). For lawful permanent residents, the family members who may qualify 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 designated for a U.S. citizen's parents, spouses, and minor children. A family green card attorney in Machias, ME can help you to decide the right green card category to pursue, reconnecting you with your family so you can begin and grow your lives together in the United States.
Family-Based Green Cards: How Do They Work in Machias, ME?
To begin, the Machias, ME family member who is a lawful permanent resident or a U.S. citizen needs to file Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection required for sponsorship. Next, after USCIS approves the petition, 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 family member is legally in the United States, they can request a status adjustment with various forms including I-485.
Every eligible kind of family member has a defined preference categorization, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. F1, for example, which is First Preference, 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 Machias, ME applicants to wait for many years or in many instances, decades for family-sponsored green cards to become available.
Should You Hire a Family Immigration Attorney in Machias, ME?
The United States immigration procedure is time-consuming and necessitates consistent effort and legal understanding. The processing times for family-based petitions are not made available by the United States Citizens and Immigration Services, which can differ 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 imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with the utmost accuracy. Family immigration lawyers near you in Machias, ME can assist with all the required paperwork and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
Your Machias, Maine immigration attorney can help you understand the ever-changing laws and regulations and clarify confusing paperwork. They know the application’s schedules and can assist you and your family members in getting ready for visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you can reduce wait times, benefit from a smoother experience, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Machias, ME: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When applying for a family-based green card, choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Machias, ME. Our founder moved 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 team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* We're ready to assist with your and your family member's immigration needs. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar result.