Winthrop, ME Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card permits specific relatives of United States citizens and permanent residents to themselves become permanent residents in Winthrop, ME and the rest of the U.S. For U.S. citizens, family members that can be brought to the U.S. with this green card include minor and adult children, spouses and siblings (providing that the citizen is over 21). For lawful permanent residents, relatives who could qualify for this type of green card include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
Green Cards for Family Preference Immigrants do not have the same process as green cards meant for immediate family, which are meant for parents, spouses, and minor children of U.S. citizens. Your Winthrop, ME family green card lawyer can help your family decide the appropriate category of green card to apply for, helping you unite with your family to begin and continue your life together in the United States.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Winthrop, ME?
To start, the family member in Winthrop, ME who is either a United States citizen or permanent resident files Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection necessary for the sponsorship. As soon as that form is approved, the family member outside the United States must remain waiting until visas are obtainable depending on when they applied and the annual visa quotas authorized by Congress. If the applying relative is already in the United States legally, they can request a status adjustment through forms that include the I-485.
Every eligible kind of family member is given preference classification, all of which have annual limits. For example, First Preference, or F1, is for the unmarried, over 21-year-old children of United States citizens. 23,400 family preference green cards are appropriated for F1 applicants yearly, out of 226,000 available. Many Winthrop, ME applicants end up waiting for years or even decades for family preference green cards to be available.
Why Hire a Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Winthrop, ME?
The United States immigration procedure is time-consuming and necessitates significant efforts and in-depth expertise. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can fluctuate substantially depending on your country of origin 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. If you're facing the potential of such a long wait, you must apply as early as possible and with complete accuracy. Your Winthrop, ME family immigration lawyer can help you with the documentation and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
Winthrop, ME immigration lawyers can help you understand the laws and regulations that change constantly and comprehend intricate documentation. They have a grasp of application timetables 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 may be able to get the visa much quicker, undergo a more seamless process, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Winthrop, ME: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When you or a family member decides to pursue a family-based green card, pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Winthrop, ME. Our founder moved 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 as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* We’re here 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.