Family-Based Green Card Attorneys in Thomaston, ME
A Family Preference Green Card for authorizes specific relatives of United States citizens and permanent residents to be granted permanent residence in Thomaston, ME and the rest of the U.S. If someone is a U.S. citizen, the relatives they can bring to the U.S. with this category of green card include minor and adult children, spouses and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). For lawful permanent residents, eligible family members for this type of 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 Thomaston, ME can assist your family in determining the right green card category to pursue, reconnecting you with your family so you can create and grow your lives together in the United States.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Thomaston, ME?
To start, the family member in Thomaston, ME who is a US citizen or permanent resident must file Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. This form helps demonstrate the family relation that qualifies for the sponsorship. As soon as that form is approved, the family member outside the United States has to stand by for visas to be available dependent on the date of submission and the yearly visa caps that Congress imposed. If the applying relative is already in the United States legally, they can apply for their status to be adjusted with various forms including I-485.
Each category of eligible relative is given preference classification, all of which have annual limits. For example, First Preference, or F1, 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 Thomaston, ME applicants to wait for many years or in some cases, even decades for a family-sponsored green card to come.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Thomaston, ME
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and substantial work and legal knowledge. The USCIS does not disclose estimated processing times for family-based petitions, which can differ depending on the country you’re immigrating from and which preference category you belong to. With that being said, there are reports of more than fifteen-year waits for F4, or sibling, visas. When you face this kind of potential delay, you must apply as early as possible and with accurate information. Family immigration lawyers near you in Thomaston, ME can assist with all the required paperwork and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
Your Thomaston, Maine immigration attorney can help you understand the ever-changing laws and regulations and interpret complex documentation. They understand the tight application timeline and can coach you or your family members prior to visa interviews. When you have a strong legal team working with you and your family, you can shorten potential delays, experience a smoother application, and boost your likelihood of success.
Why Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers As Your Thomaston, ME Family Immigration Lawyer
When you or a family member decides to pursue a family-based green card, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Thomaston, ME. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have immigrant family members themselves. Our multilingual, multicultural team of attorneys can help your family navigate the legal immigration process as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* We're ready to assist with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Start working with Weinstock Immigration Lawyers today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.