Family Immigration Lawyers for Green Cards in Wiscasset, ME
A Family Preference Green Card permits specific relatives of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to gain permanent residency in Wiscasset, ME and all of the United States. For U.S. citizens, family members that can come to the U.S. with this green card include spouses, children 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 green cards do not have the same process as green cards meant for immediate family, which are designated for a U.S. citizen's parents, spouses, and minor children. A family green card attorney in Wiscasset, ME can help you to decide the right green card category to pursue, helping you unite with your family to build or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Wiscasset, ME Family-Based Green Cards Work?
To start, the family member in Wiscasset, ME who is a US citizen or permanent resident files Form I-130, called a Petition for Alien Relative. This form proves the family relationship necessary for the sponsorship. As soon as that form is approved, the family member who is not in the United States has to stand by for visas to be available based on their application date and the current visa limits imposed by law. If the family member is legally in the United States, they can apply for their status to be adjusted through form I-485 and others.
Each eligible type of relative falls into a category of preference, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. For example, First Preference, or F1, is assigned to U.S. citizens’ children who are older than 21 and unmarried. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. Often, Wiscasset, ME applicants have to wait for years or even decades for family preference green cards to be available.
Should You Hire a Family Immigration Attorney in Wiscasset, ME?
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and hard work and legal understanding. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can differ depending on your country of origin and your preference category. However, some have reported fifteen-year or more wait for an F4 (sibling) visa. With this kind of potential wait, it's critical that you file as soon as you can and with complete accuracy. Family immigration lawyers near you in Wiscasset, ME can assist with all the required paperwork and correctly file it for your specific visa type.
An immigration attorney in Wiscasset, ME can assist you in complying with laws and regulations that change constantly and understand complicated documents. They have a grasp of application timetables and can help you or your family members prepare for visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you can minimize delays, benefit from a smoother experience, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Family Immigration Attorney: Why Pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Wiscasset, ME
When you or a family member decides to pursue a family-based green card, pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Wiscasset, 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 multicultural, multilingual team will assist your family through the legal immigration system and experience some of the industry's highest rates of success.* We’re here to help with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar result.