Family-Based Green Card Attorneys in Beltsville, MD
A Family Preference Green Card permits specific relatives of people who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents to gain permanent residency in Beltsville, MD and the rest of the U.S. For those who are U.S. citizens, the relatives they can bring to the U.S. with this category of green card include spouses, children 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 are different in application from immediate family member green cards, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. Your Beltsville, MD family green card lawyer can help you determine the appropriate category of green card to apply for, helping your family to reconnect and establish and continue your life together in the United States.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Beltsville, MD?
To start, the family member in Beltsville, MD who is a US citizen or permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, known as a Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection needed for sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member outside the United States has to stand by for visas to be available based on their application date 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 by filing forms including I-485.
Each eligible type of relative has a defined preference categorization, which each have their own annual limits. As an example, F1, or First Preference, 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. It's common for Beltsville, MD applicants to wait for many years or in many instances, decades for a family-sponsored green card to come.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in Beltsville, MD?
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and consistent effort and legal knowledge. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can fluctuate substantially which varies based on your nationality and your assigned preference category. However, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. With that kind of waiting period, you must apply as early as possible and with accurate information. Family immigration lawyers near you in Beltsville, MD can help you present the requisite documents and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
An immigration attorney in Beltsville, MD can also help you navigate constantly changing laws and regulations and clarify confusing paperwork. They understand the tight application timeline and can coach you or your family members prior to 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.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Beltsville, MD: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When you or a family member decides to pursue a family-based green card, select Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Beltsville, MD. Our founder relocated to the United States as an immigrant, and a large number of our team members are also immigrants or have close family who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual team can guide your family through the immigration procedures as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* We’re here to help with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar result.