Pittsfield, ME Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Family Preference Green Card permits specific relatives of permanent residents and U.S. citizens to gain permanent residency in Pittsfield, ME and the rest of the U.S. If someone is a U.S. citizen, family members that can come to the U.S. with this type of green card include spouses, children (whether single or married) and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). If someone is a lawful permanent resident, the family members who may qualify for this green card include unmarried children and spouses.
Family preference green cards do not have the same process as green cards meant for immediate family, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. Family green card attorneys in Pittsfield, ME can help your family decide the right green card category to pursue, helping you reunite with your family and build and continue your life together in the United States.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Pittsfield, ME?
To begin, the Pittsfield, ME family member who is either a United States citizen or permanent resident has to file Form I-130, known as a Petition for Alien Relative. The form demonstrates the connection necessary for the sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member outside the United States must wait for visas to become accessible based on the date they apply and the annual visa quotas authorized by Congress. If the family member is legally in the United States, they can apply for their status to be adjusted by filing forms including I-485.
Each category of eligible relative is given preference classification, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. As an example, F1, or First Preference, is assigned to U.S. citizens’ children who are older than 21 and unmarried. Only 23,400 family preference green cards are allocated to F1 out of 226,000 total each year. Pittsfield, ME applicants often wait for years or in many instances, decades for family-sponsored green cards to become available.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Pittsfield, ME
The United States immigration procedure is time-consuming and necessitates significant efforts and legal understanding. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can differ based on where you're immigrating from and your assigned preference category. However, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. With this kind of potential wait, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with accurate information. Your Pittsfield, ME family immigration lawyer can help you present the requisite documents and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
Your Pittsfield, Maine immigration attorney can assist you in complying with constantly changing laws and regulations and comprehend intricate documentation. They understand the tight application timeline and can help you or your family members prepare for visa interviews. When you have a strong legal team working with you and your family, you can reduce wait times, enjoy a more streamlined process, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Pittsfield, ME: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When applying for a family-based green card, select Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Pittsfield, ME. Our founder relocated to the United States as an immigrant, and a large number of our team members are also immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our multilingual, multicultural team of attorneys can help your family navigate the legal immigration process and experience some of the industry's highest rates of success.* We’re here to help with your and your family's immigration necessities. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar result.