Family-Based Green Card Attorneys in Cloverly, MD
A Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants allows specific relatives of people who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents to become permanent residents of Cloverly, MD, and the rest of the U.S. If someone is a U.S. citizen, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. under this type of green card include spouses, children (whether single or married) and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). For lawful permanent residents, the family members who may qualify for this green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Family preference green cards have a different path from green cards for immediate family members, which are meant for parents, spouses, and minor children of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney near you in Cloverly, MD can help your family decide the appropriate category of green card to apply for, helping your family to reconnect and establish and grow your lives together in the United States.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Cloverly, MD?
First, the Cloverly, MD family member who is a US citizen or permanent resident has to file Form I-130, called a Petition for Alien Relative. The form demonstrates the connection needed for sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member outside the United States must wait for visas to become accessible depending on when they applied and the yearly visa caps that Congress imposed. If the family member is legally in the United States, they can apply for their status to be adjusted 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. Only 23,400 family preference green cards are allocated to F1 out of 226,000 total each year. It's common for Cloverly, MD applicants to wait for many years or in many instances, decades for family preference green cards to open up.
Why Hire a Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Cloverly, MD?
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and significant efforts and legal knowledge. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can fluctuate substantially depending on the country you’re immigrating from and your assigned preference category. However, some have reported fifteen-year or more wait for an F4 (sibling) visa. With that kind of waiting period, it's critical that you file as soon as you can and with accurate information. A family immigration attorney in Cloverly, MD can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and correctly file it for your specific visa type.
Your Cloverly, Maryland immigration attorney can help you understand the ever-changing laws and regulations and clarify confusing paperwork. They understand the application timelines and can coach you or your family members prior to visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you can reduce wait times, benefit from a smoother experience, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Cloverly, MD: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When applying for a family-based green card, choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Cloverly, MD. Our founder moved to the United States as an immigrant, and numerous members of our team are immigrants or have family members who immigrated here. Our team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers can help your family navigate the legal immigration process and benefit from some of the immigration industry's highest approval rates.* We're ready 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.