Winterport, ME Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Family Preference Green Card permits certain relatives of permanent residents and U.S. citizens to themselves become permanent residents in Winterport, ME and the United States in general. With U.S. citizens, the relatives they can bring to the U.S. with this type of green card include spouses, children and siblings (providing that the citizen is over 21). If someone is a lawful permanent resident, eligible family members for this type of green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Family preference green cards have a different path from green cards for immediate family members, which are meant for parents, spouses, and minor children of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney in Winterport, ME can help your family decide the appropriate category of green card to apply for, reconnecting you with your family so you can create or advance your lives together in the U.S.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Winterport, ME?
To start, the family member in Winterport, ME who is a lawful permanent resident or a U.S. citizen files Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. This form proves the family relationship required for sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member who is out of the country are required to wait for visas to become available dependent on the date of submission and the yearly visa caps that Congress imposed. If the relative is legally in the U.S. already, they can request for their immigration status to be adjusted with various forms including I-485.
Each category of eligible relative falls into a category of preference, which each have their own annual limits. First Preference, or F1, for example is for over 21-year-old, unmarried children of U.S. citizens. F1 is allocated 23,400 of 226,000 available yearly family preference green cards. Many Winterport, ME applicants end up waiting for years or in some cases, even decades for a family-sponsored green card to come.
Should You Hire a Family Immigration Attorney in Winterport, ME?
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires consistent effort and in-depth expertise. The processing times for family-based petitions are not made available by the United States Citizens and Immigration Services, which can change considerably depending on the country you’re immigrating from 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 Winterport, ME can help you with the documentation and correctly file it for your specific visa type.
Your Winterport, Maine immigration attorney can also help you navigate regulations and laws that change regularly and interpret complex documentation. They have a grasp of application timetables and can assist you and your family members in getting ready for visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you can shorten potential delays, experience a smoother application, and boost your likelihood of success.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Winterport, ME: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When you or a family member is applying for a family preference green card, pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Winterport, ME. Our founder immigrated to the U.S. herself, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual team can help your family navigate the legal immigration process and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We're ready to assist with your and your family's immigration necessities. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee future outcomes.