Family-Based Green Card Attorneys in Camp Springs, MD
A Family Preference Green Card permits specific relatives of United States citizens and permanent residents to gain permanent residency in Camp Springs, MD and the United States in general. For those who are U.S. citizens, family members that can come to the U.S. with this category of green card include children, spouses and siblings (as long as the citizen is at least 21). With lawful permanent U.S. residents, eligible family members for this type of green card include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
Green Cards for Family Preference Immigrants have a different path from green cards for immediate family members, which are designated for a U.S. citizen's parents, spouses, and minor children. Family green card attorneys in Camp Springs, MD can help your family decide the correct type of green card category, helping you unite with your family to begin and grow your lives together in the United States.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Camp Springs, MD?
First, the Camp Springs, MD family member who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident has to file Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form helps demonstrate the family relation that qualifies for the 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 yearly visa caps that Congress imposed. If the applying relative is already in the United States legally, they can apply for their status to be adjusted through form I-485 and others.
Each eligible type of relative is assigned a preference category, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. First Preference, or F1, for example is for the unmarried, over 21-year-old children of United States citizens. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. Often, Camp Springs, MD applicants have to wait for years and, in some cases, decades for family preference green cards to be available.
Should You Hire a Family Immigration Attorney in Camp Springs, MD?
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and significant efforts and legal knowledge. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can vary significantly 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. When you face this kind of potential delay, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with all of your correct data . Your Camp Springs, MD family immigration lawyer can help you present the requisite documents and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
An immigration attorney in Camp Springs, MD can help you understand the constantly changing laws and regulations and interpret complex documentation. They understand the tight application timeline and can help you or your family members prepare for visa interviews. With knowledgeable legal professionals in your corner, you can reduce wait times, undergo a more seamless process, and improve your family's chances to achieve the desired outcome.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Camp Springs, MD: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When you or a family member is applying for a family preference green card, select Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Camp Springs, MD. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and many of our team members are immigrants or have family members who immigrated here. Our multicultural, multilingual attorneys can guide your family through the immigration procedures and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We’re here to help with all of your immigration requirements. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar result.