Scarborough, ME Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card for authorizes certain relatives of United States citizens and permanent residents to themselves become permanent residents in Scarborough, ME and all of the United States. With U.S. citizens, the relatives they can bring to the U.S. under this type of green card include minor and adult children, spouses and siblings (if the citizen is 21 years or older). If someone is a lawful permanent resident, eligible family members for this type of green card include unmarried children no matter what age, and spouses.
Green Cards for Family Preference Immigrants 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. A family green card attorney in Scarborough, ME can help you to decide the right green card category to pursue, helping you unite with your family to begin or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Scarborough, ME Family-Based Green Cards Work?
To get started, the family member located in Scarborough, ME who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident has to file Form I-130, known as a Petition for Alien Relative. The form demonstrates the connection necessary for the sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member who is out of the country are required to wait for visas to become available 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 request a status adjustment through forms that include the I-485.
Every relative type who is eligible is assigned a preference category, which all have individual annual caps. F1, for example, which is First Preference, 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. Many Scarborough, ME applicants end up waiting for years or in many instances, decades for family-sponsored green cards to become available.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in Scarborough, ME?
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and hard work and legal knowledge. The processing times for family-based petitions are not made available by the United States Citizens and Immigration Services, which can vary significantly which varies based on your nationality and your designated preference category. However, some have reported fifteen-year or more wait for an F4 (sibling) visa. With this kind of potential wait, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with all of your correct data . Family immigration lawyers near you in Scarborough, ME can help you with the documentation and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
Your Scarborough, Maine immigration attorney can help you understand the laws and regulations that change constantly and interpret complex documentation. They know the application’s schedules and can coach you or your family members prior to visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you may be able to get the visa much quicker, enjoy a more streamlined process, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Scarborough, ME: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When you or a family member is applying for a family preference green card, choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Scarborough, ME. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and a large number of our team members are also immigrants or have close family who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual attorneys will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We're ready to help 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.