Cresaptown, MD Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card permits certain relatives of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to be granted permanent residence in Cresaptown, MD and the rest of the U.S. If someone is a U.S. citizen, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. with this category of green card include spouses, children (whether single or married) and siblings (if the citizen is 21 years or older). For those who are lawful permanent residents, the family members who may qualify for this green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Green Cards for Family Preference Immigrants have a different path from green cards for immediate family members, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney in Cresaptown, MD can assist your family in determining the most fitting category of green card, helping you unite with your family to begin and continue your life together in the United States.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Cresaptown, MD?
To start, the family member in Cresaptown, MD who is a lawful permanent resident or a U.S. citizen files Form I-130, known as a Petition for Alien Relative. The form demonstrates the connection that qualifies for the sponsorship. Next, after USCIS approves the petition, the family member who is not in the United States are required to wait for visas to become available based on their application date and the current visa limits imposed by law. If the applying relative is already in the United States legally, they can request for their immigration status to be adjusted with various forms including I-485.
Each eligible type of relative 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 Cresaptown, MD applicants to wait for many years and, in some cases, decades for family preference green cards to open up.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in Cresaptown, MD?
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and substantial work and in-depth expertise. The USCIS does not disclose estimated processing times for 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. When you face this kind of potential delay, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with accurate information. A family immigration attorney in Cresaptown, MD can help you with the documentation and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
Your Cresaptown, Maryland immigration attorney can also help you navigate laws and regulations that change constantly and interpret complex documentation. They understand the application timelines and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. With experienced attorneys representing you and your family, you can shorten potential delays, enjoy a more streamlined process, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Why Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers As Your Cresaptown, MD Family Immigration Lawyer
When you or a family member decides to pursue a family-based green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Cresaptown, MD. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and many of our team members are immigrants or have close family who are immigrants. Our multilingual, multicultural team of attorneys will assist your family through the legal immigration system and benefit from some of the immigration industry's highest approval rates.* We're ready to help with your and your family's immigration necessities. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee future outcomes.