Family-Based Green Card Attorneys in Garrett Park, MD
A Family Preference Green Card permits specific relatives of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to become permanent residents of Garrett Park, MD, and the rest of the U.S. For U.S. citizens, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. with this green card include children, spouses and siblings (providing that the citizen is over 21). For lawful permanent residents, eligible family members for this type of green card include unmarried children and spouses.
Family preference permanent resident cards do not have the same process as green cards meant for immediate family, which are designated for a U.S. citizen's parents, spouses, and minor children. A family green card attorney in Garrett Park, MD can assist your family in determining the right green card category to pursue, reconnecting you with your family so you can establish or advance your lives together in the U.S.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Garrett Park, MD?
First, the Garrett Park, MD family member who is a US citizen or permanent resident has to file Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. This form helps demonstrate the family relation needed for sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member who is out of the country must wait for visas to become accessible based on the date they apply and the annual visa quotas authorized by Congress. If the applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can apply for their status to be adjusted by filing forms including I-485.
Every relative type who is eligible falls into a category of preference, which all have individual annual caps. F1, for example, which is First Preference, is assigned to U.S. citizens’ children who are older than 21 and unmarried. Only 23,400 family preference green cards are allocated to F1 out of 226,000 total each year. Often, Garrett Park, MD applicants have to wait for years or in some cases, even decades for a family-sponsored green card to come.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in Garrett Park, MD?
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and consistent effort and legal understanding. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can change considerably depending on your country of origin and your assigned preference category. With that being said, there are reports of more than fifteen-year waits for F4, or sibling, visas. When you face this kind of potential delay, you must apply as early as possible and with the utmost accuracy. Garrett Park, MD family immigration attorneys can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
Immigration lawyers in Garrett Park, MD can assist you in complying with ever-changing laws and regulations and clarify confusing paperwork. They understand the application timelines and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. With knowledgeable legal professionals in your corner, you can shorten potential delays, benefit from a smoother experience, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Garrett Park, MD: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When applying for a family-based green card, select Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Garrett Park, MD. Our founder immigrated to the U.S. herself, and many of our team members are immigrants or have immigrant family members themselves. Our team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure and experience some of the industry's highest rates of success.* We're eager to assist with your and your family's immigration necessities. Start today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.