Cockeysville, MD Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card for authorizes specific relatives of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to themselves become permanent residents in Cockeysville, MD and the United States in general. For those who are U.S. citizens, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. with this category 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 unmarried children and spouses.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference do not have the same process as green cards meant for immediate family, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. Family green card attorneys in Cockeysville, MD can help you determine the right green card category to pursue, helping you reunite with your family and establish or advance your lives together in the U.S.
How Do Cockeysville, MD Family-Based Green Cards Work?
To start, the family member in Cockeysville, MD who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident files Form I-130, known as a Petition for Alien Relative. The form demonstrates the connection necessary for the sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member outside the United States has to stand by for visas to be available depending on when they applied and the current visa limits imposed by law. If the applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can petition for a status adjustment by filing forms including I-485.
Every relative type who is eligible is assigned a preference category, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. F1, for example, which is First Preference, is for over 21-year-old, unmarried children of U.S. citizens. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. It's common for Cockeysville, MD applicants to wait for many years or in many instances, decades for family-sponsored green cards to become available.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Cockeysville, MD
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires substantial work and legal understanding. The processing times for family-based petitions are not made available by the United States Citizens and Immigration Services, which can vary significantly based on where you're immigrating from and your designated preference category. However, there are many reports of fifteen-year or greater waits for sibling, or F4, visas. With this kind of potential wait, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with all of your correct data . Your Cockeysville, MD family immigration lawyer can help you with the documentation and correctly file it for your specific visa type.
Your Cockeysville, Maryland immigration attorney can assist you in complying with regulations and laws that change regularly and interpret complex documentation. They know the application’s schedules and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. When you have a strong legal team working with you and your family, you can shorten potential delays, experience a smoother application, and boost your likelihood of success.
Family Immigration Attorney: Why Pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Cockeysville, MD
When you or a family member decides to pursue a family-based green card, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Cockeysville, MD. Our founder relocated to the United States as an immigrant, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have close family who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual attorneys will assist your family through the legal immigration system and benefit from some of the immigration industry's highest approval rates.* We’re here to help with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee future outcomes.