Family Immigration Lawyers for Green Cards in Old Orchard Beach, ME
A Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants allows certain relatives of United States citizens and permanent residents to be granted permanent residence in Old Orchard Beach, 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 green card include children, spouses and siblings (as long as the citizen is at least 21). For those who are lawful permanent residents, eligible family members for this type of green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference are different in application from immediate family member green cards, which are for spouses, parents, and minor children of U.S. citizens. Your Old Orchard Beach, ME family green card lawyer can help you to decide the most fitting category of green card, helping you reunite with your family and establish and grow your lives together in the United States.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Old Orchard Beach, ME?
To begin, the Old Orchard Beach, ME family member who is a US citizen or permanent resident files Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection required for sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, 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 quotas authorized by Congress. If the applying relative is already in the United States legally, they can request a status adjustment through form I-485 and others.
Each eligible type of relative has a defined preference categorization, 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. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. Many Old Orchard Beach, ME applicants end up waiting for years and, in some cases, decades for family preference green cards to be available.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Old Orchard Beach, ME
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires substantial work and legal understanding. The USCIS does not disclose estimated processing times for 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. If you're facing the potential of such a long wait, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with complete accuracy. Your Old Orchard Beach, ME family immigration lawyer can help you with the documentation and correctly file it for your specific visa type.
Old Orchard Beach, ME immigration lawyers can assist you with understanding constantly changing laws and regulations and clarify confusing paperwork. They have a grasp of application timetables 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, experience a smoother application, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Why Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers As Your Old Orchard Beach, ME Family Immigration Lawyer
When you or a family member is applying for a family preference green card, choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Old Orchard Beach, ME. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and numerous members of our team are immigrants or have family members who immigrated here. Our team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers will assist your family through the legal immigration system and experience some of the industry's highest rates of success.* We're ready to assist with your and your family's immigration necessities. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.