Dundalk, MD Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Green Card for Family Immigrants enables certain relatives of people who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents to be granted permanent residence in Dundalk, MD and the entire United States. If someone is a U.S. citizen, family members that can be brought to the U.S. with this type of green card include spouses, children 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 and unmarried children of any age.
Green Cards for Family Preference Immigrants differ in process from immediate family green cards, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney in Dundalk, MD can help you to decide the appropriate category of green card to apply for, helping your family to reconnect and establish and continue your life together in the United States.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Dundalk, MD?
First, the Dundalk, MD family member who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident must file Form I-130, known as a Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection that qualifies for the sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member who is not in the United States are required to wait for visas to become available based on the date they apply and the current visa limits imposed by law. If the applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can request for their immigration status to be adjusted with various forms including I-485.
Each eligible type of relative has a defined preference categorization, all of which have annual limits. As an example, F1, or First Preference, is for over 21-year-old, unmarried children of U.S. citizens. 23,400 family preference green cards are appropriated for F1 applicants yearly, out of 226,000 available. Dundalk, MD applicants often wait for years or in some cases, even decades for family preference green cards to be available.
Should You Hire a Family Immigration Attorney in Dundalk, MD?
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and consistent effort and in-depth expertise. The processing times for family-based petitions are not made available by the United States Citizens and Immigration Services, which can vary significantly which varies based on your nationality and your assigned 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 the utmost accuracy. Family immigration lawyers near you in Dundalk, MD can help you present the requisite documents and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
An immigration attorney in Dundalk, MD can assist you in complying with regulations and laws that change regularly and clarify confusing paperwork. They have a grasp of application timetables 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 shorten potential delays, benefit from a smoother experience, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Why Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers As Your Dundalk, MD Family Immigration Lawyer
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Dundalk, MD. Our founder immigrated to the U.S. herself, and a large number of our team members are also immigrants or have immigrant family members themselves. Our multicultural, multilingual team will assist your family through the legal immigration system and experience some of the industry's highest rates of success.* We’re here 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.