Aspen Hill, MD Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card permits specific relatives of permanent residents and U.S. citizens to gain permanent residency in Aspen Hill, MD and the rest of the U.S. For those who are U.S. citizens, family members that can come to the U.S. with this green card include children, spouses and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). With lawful permanent U.S. residents, the family members who may qualify for this green card include unmarried children no matter what age, and spouses.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference 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. A family green card attorney in Aspen Hill, MD can help you determine the right green card category to pursue, helping you reunite with your family and build and grow your lives together in the United States.
Family-Based Green Cards: How Do They Work in Aspen Hill, MD?
To get started, the family member located in Aspen Hill, MD who is either a United States citizen or permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, known as a Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection that qualifies for the sponsorship. As soon as that form is approved, the family member outside the United States must wait for visas to become accessible depending on when they applied and the annual visa quotas authorized by Congress. If the relative is legally in the U.S. already, they can petition for a status adjustment with various forms including I-485.
Each eligible type of relative is assigned a preference category, all of which have annual limits. For example, First Preference, or F1, is designated for unmarried children who are 21 or older of United States citizens. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. It's common for Aspen Hill, MD applicants to wait for many years or in many instances, decades for family preference green cards to be available.
Should You Hire a Family Immigration Attorney in Aspen Hill, MD?
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and significant efforts and particular know-how. The USCIS does not disclose estimated processing times for family-based petitions, which can fluctuate substantially which varies based on your nationality and which preference category you belong to. However, some have reported fifteen-year or more wait for an F4 (sibling) visa. With that kind of waiting period, you must apply as early as possible and with complete accuracy. Your Aspen Hill, MD family immigration lawyer can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
Immigration lawyers in Aspen Hill, MD can assist you with understanding ever-changing laws and regulations and understand complicated documents. They understand the application timelines and can help you or your family members prepare for visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you can reduce wait times, undergo a more seamless process, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Aspen Hill, MD: Your Family Immigration Attorney
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Aspen Hill, MD. Our founder immigrated to the U.S. herself, and a large number of our team members are also immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual team will assist your family through the legal immigration system and benefit from some of the immigration industry's highest approval rates.* We're ready to assist with your and your family's immigration necessities. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.