Pikesville, MD Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card permits particular family members of United States citizens and permanent residents to themselves become permanent residents in Pikesville, MD and the entire United States. With U.S. citizens, family members that can be brought 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). 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 are different in application from immediate family member green cards, which are for spouses, parents, and minor children of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney near you in Pikesville, MD can help you determine the appropriate category of green card to apply for, reconnecting you with your family so you can establish and continue your life together in the United States.
Family-Based Green Cards: How Do They Work in Pikesville, MD?
To begin, the Pikesville, MD family member who is a US citizen or permanent resident has to file Form I-130, called a Petition for Alien Relative. The form demonstrates the connection needed for sponsorship. Next, after USCIS approves the petition, the family member outside the United States are required to wait for visas to become available depending on when they applied and the current visa limits imposed by law. If the relative is legally in the U.S. already, 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, all of which have annual limits. For example, First Preference, or F1, is assigned to U.S. citizens’ children who are older than 21 and unmarried. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. Many Pikesville, MD applicants end up waiting for years and, in some cases, decades for family preference green cards to be available.
Why Hire a Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Pikesville, MD?
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and substantial work and legal understanding. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can vary significantly depending on your country of origin and your preference category. With that being said, there are reports of more than fifteen-year waits for F4, or sibling, visas. With that kind of waiting period, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with all of your correct data . Pikesville, MD family immigration attorneys can help you with the documentation and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
Pikesville, MD immigration lawyers can also help you navigate ever-changing laws and regulations and comprehend intricate documentation. They understand the application timelines and can coach you or your family members prior to visa interviews. With experienced attorneys representing you and your family, you can shorten potential delays, undergo a more seamless process, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Pikesville, MD: Your Family Immigration Attorney
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Pikesville, MD. Our founder moved to the United States as an immigrant, and numerous members of our team are immigrants or have family members who immigrated here. Our team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* We're eager to assist with all of your immigration requirements. Start today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee future outcomes.