Clinton, MD Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card permits particular family members of people who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents to gain permanent residency in Clinton, MD and the United States in general. With U.S. citizens, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. with this type of green card include spouses, children and siblings (providing that the citizen is over 21). If someone is a lawful permanent resident, the family members who may qualify for this green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
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. Family green card attorneys in Clinton, MD can help you to decide the most fitting category of green card, helping you unite with your family to build or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Clinton, MD Family-Based Green Cards Work?
To begin, the Clinton, MD family member who is either a United States citizen or permanent resident files Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form helps demonstrate the family relation that qualifies for the sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member who is not in the United States must wait for visas to become accessible based on the date they apply and the annual visa quotas authorized by Congress. If the family member is legally in the United States, they can petition for a status adjustment through forms that include the I-485.
Each eligible type of relative has a defined preference categorization, which each have their own annual limits. First Preference, or F1, for example is for the unmarried, over 21-year-old children of United States citizens. Only 23,400 family preference green cards are allocated to F1 out of 226,000 total each year. Clinton, MD applicants often wait for years and, in some cases, decades for family preference green cards to be available.
Why Hire a Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Clinton, MD?
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and significant efforts and in-depth expertise. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can change considerably based on where you're immigrating from and your designated preference category. However, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. When you face this kind of potential delay, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with all of your correct data . Clinton, MD family immigration attorneys can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
An immigration attorney in Clinton, MD can assist you with understanding regulations and laws that change regularly and clarify confusing paperwork. They understand the application timelines 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 can reduce wait times, benefit from a smoother experience, and boost your likelihood of success.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Clinton, MD: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When you or a family member decides to pursue a family-based green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Clinton, MD. Our founder relocated to the United States as an immigrant, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have family members who immigrated here. Our multicultural, multilingual attorneys will assist your family through the legal immigration system and experience some of the industry's highest rates of success.* We're ready to help with your and your family member's immigration needs. Start working with Weinstock Immigration Lawyers today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee future outcomes.