Greenbelt, MD Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants allows certain relatives of United States citizens and permanent residents to gain permanent residency in Greenbelt, MD and the entire United States. For U.S. citizens, family members that can come to the U.S. with this green card include spouses, children (whether single or married) and siblings (if the citizen is 21 years or older). With lawful permanent U.S. residents, eligible family members for this type of green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Family preference green cards are different in application from immediate family member green cards, which are meant for parents, spouses, and minor children of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney near you in Greenbelt, MD can assist your family in determining the most fitting category of green card, helping you reunite with your family and create or advance your lives together in the U.S.
How Do Greenbelt, MD Family-Based Green Cards Work?
To get started, the family member located in Greenbelt, MD who is a US citizen or permanent resident files Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection that qualifies for the sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, 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 relative is legally in the U.S. already, they can request a status adjustment by filing forms including I-485.
Each category of eligible relative falls into a category of preference, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. First Preference, or F1, for example is for the unmarried, over 21-year-old children of United States citizens. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. Greenbelt, MD applicants often wait for years and, in some cases, decades for family preference green cards to be available.
Should You Hire a Family Immigration Attorney in Greenbelt, MD?
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and significant efforts and legal knowledge. The USCIS does not disclose estimated processing times for family-based petitions, which can vary significantly depending on your country of origin and your preference category. However, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. If you're facing the potential of such a long wait, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with accurate information. Greenbelt, MD family immigration attorneys can assist with all the required paperwork and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
Greenbelt, MD immigration lawyers can assist you with understanding ever-changing laws and regulations and interpret complex documentation. They understand the application timelines and can help you or your family members prepare for visa interviews. With knowledgeable legal professionals in your corner, you may be able to get the visa much quicker, undergo a more seamless process, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Greenbelt, MD: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When applying for a family-based green card, select Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Greenbelt, MD. Our founder relocated to the United States as an immigrant, 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 enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We’re here to help with your and your family's immigration necessities. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar result.