Georgetown, MD Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Family Preference Green Card for authorizes specific relatives of permanent residents and U.S. citizens to gain permanent residency in Georgetown, MD and the United States in general. For those who are U.S. citizens, family members that can come to the U.S. with this green card include spouses, children and siblings (as long as the citizen is at least 21). For those who are lawful permanent residents, the family members who may qualify for this green card include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
Green Cards for Family Preference Immigrants have a different path from green cards for immediate family members, which are for spouses, parents, and minor children of U.S. citizens. Your Georgetown, MD family green card lawyer can help your family decide the most fitting category of green card, reconnecting you with your family so you can build or advance your lives together in the U.S.
How Do Georgetown, MD Family-Based Green Cards Work?
First, the Georgetown, 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 verifies the familial connection necessary for the sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member who lives abroad has to stand by for visas to be available dependent on the date of submission and the annual visa limits that Congress authorized. If the relative is legally in the U.S. already, they can request a status adjustment by filing forms including I-485.
Each eligible type of relative falls into a category of preference, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. As an example, F1, or First Preference, is designated for unmarried children who are 21 or older of United States citizens. F1 is allocated 23,400 of 226,000 available yearly family preference green cards. Many Georgetown, MD applicants end up waiting for years or in many instances, decades for a family-sponsored green card to come.
Why Hire a Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Georgetown, MD?
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires consistent effort and in-depth expertise. The USCIS does not disclose estimated processing times for family-based petitions, which can differ depending on the country you’re immigrating from and your assigned preference category. However, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. With that kind of waiting period, you must apply as early as possible and with complete accuracy. A family immigration attorney in Georgetown, MD can help you present the requisite documents and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
An immigration attorney in Georgetown, MD can also help you navigate laws and regulations that change constantly and interpret complex documentation. They have a grasp of application timetables and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. With knowledgeable legal professionals in your corner, you may be able to get the visa much quicker, experience a smoother application, and improve your family's chances to achieve the desired outcome.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Georgetown, MD as Your Family Immigration Lawyer
When applying for a family-based green card, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Georgetown, MD. Our founder immigrated to the U.S. herself, and a large number of our team members are also immigrants or have close family who are immigrants. Our multilingual, multicultural team of attorneys can guide your family through the immigration procedures and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We’re here to help with your and your family member's immigration needs. Start working with Weinstock Immigration Lawyers today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar result.