Family-Based Green Card Attorneys in Southwest Harbor, ME
A Family Preference Green Card permits specific relatives of United States citizens and permanent residents to be granted permanent residence in Southwest Harbor, ME and the entire United States. If someone is a U.S. citizen, family members that can come to the U.S. under this type of green card include children, spouses and siblings (as long as the citizen is at least 21). For lawful permanent residents, eligible family members for this type of green card include unmarried children no matter what age, and spouses.
Family preference permanent resident cards are different in application from immediate family member green cards, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. Family green card attorneys in Southwest Harbor, ME can assist your family in determining the correct type of green card category, reconnecting you with your family so you can establish or advance your lives together in the U.S.
How Do Southwest Harbor, ME Family-Based Green Cards Work?
To begin, the Southwest Harbor, ME family member who is either a United States citizen or permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, called a Petition for Alien Relative. This form helps demonstrate the family relation necessary for the sponsorship. Next, after USCIS approves the petition, the family member who lives abroad has to stand by for visas to be 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 for their immigration status to be adjusted through form I-485 and others.
Every relative type who is eligible is given preference classification, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. First Preference, or F1, for example 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. Often, Southwest Harbor, ME applicants have to wait for years or even decades for family preference green cards to be available.
Why Hire a Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Southwest Harbor, ME?
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires significant efforts and particular know-how. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can vary significantly based on where you're immigrating from and your preference category. With that being said, there are reports of more than fifteen-year waits for F4, or sibling, visas. With that kind of waiting period, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with all of your correct data . A family immigration attorney in Southwest Harbor, ME can assist with all the required paperwork and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
Immigration lawyers in Southwest Harbor, ME can help you understand the constantly changing laws and regulations and interpret complex documentation. They understand the tight application timeline and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you may be able to get the visa much quicker, experience a smoother application, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Why Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers As Your Southwest Harbor, ME Family Immigration Lawyer
When you or a family member decides to pursue a family-based green card, select Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Southwest Harbor, ME. Our founder moved to the United States as an immigrant, and numerous members of our team are immigrants or have family members who immigrated here. Our multicultural, multilingual team can guide your family through the immigration procedures and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We're ready to help with your and your family's immigration necessities. Start working with Weinstock Immigration Lawyers today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.