Family-Based Green Card Attorneys in Odenton, MD
A Family Preference Green Card permits particular family members of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to be granted permanent residence in Odenton, MD and the rest of the U.S. For U.S. citizens, family members that can come to the U.S. with this category of green card include minor and adult children, spouses and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). For lawful permanent residents, eligible family members for this type of green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Family preference permanent resident cards do not have the same process as green cards meant for immediate family, which are meant for parents, spouses, and minor children of U.S. citizens. Family green card attorneys in Odenton, MD can help you to decide the right green card category to pursue, helping you unite with your family to establish and continue your life together in the United States.
Family-Based Green Cards: How Do They Work in Odenton, MD?
First, the Odenton, MD family member who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, known as a Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection necessary for the sponsorship. As soon as that form is approved, the family member who lives abroad has to stand by for visas to be available based on the date they apply and the annual visa quotas authorized by Congress. If the applying relative is already in the United States legally, they can request for their immigration status to be adjusted through forms that include the I-485.
Every eligible kind of family member is assigned a preference category, all of which have annual limits. First Preference, or F1, for example is for the unmarried, over 21-year-old children of United States citizens. Only 23,400 family preference green cards are allocated to F1 out of 226,000 total each year. It's common for Odenton, MD applicants to wait for many years or in some cases, even decades for family preference green cards to open up.
Should You Hire a Family Immigration Attorney in Odenton, MD?
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires significant efforts and legal understanding. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can differ which varies based on your nationality and which preference category you belong to. However, there are many reports of fifteen-year or greater waits for sibling, or F4, visas. When you face this kind of potential delay, it's critical that you file as soon as you can and with accurate information. A family immigration attorney in Odenton, MD can help you with the documentation and correctly file it for your specific visa type.
An immigration attorney in Odenton, MD can help you understand the constantly changing laws and regulations and clarify confusing paperwork. They know the application’s schedules and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. When you have a strong legal team working with 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 Odenton, MD Family Immigration Lawyer
When you or a family member decides to pursue a family-based green card, pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Odenton, MD. Our founder relocated to the United States as an immigrant, and many of our team members are immigrants or have family members who immigrated here. Our multicultural, multilingual attorneys can guide your family through the immigration procedures and benefit from some of the immigration industry's highest approval rates.* We're eager to assist with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee the same results.