Family Immigration Lawyers for Green Cards in Gloucester, MA
A Green Card for Family Immigrants enables certain relatives of United States citizens and permanent residents to be granted permanent residence in Gloucester, MA and the United States in general. For U.S. citizens, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. with this type of 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 spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference differ in process from immediate family green cards, which are meant for parents, spouses, and minor children of U.S. citizens. Your Gloucester, MA family green card lawyer can assist your family in determining the appropriate category of green card to apply for, helping you unite with your family to begin and grow your lives together in the United States.
How Do Gloucester, MA Family-Based Green Cards Work?
To begin, the Gloucester, MA family member who is a US citizen or permanent resident files Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form proves the family relationship necessary for the sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member who is not in the United States 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 petition for a status adjustment through forms that include the I-485.
Each category of eligible relative is assigned a preference category, all of which have annual limits. For example, First Preference, or F1, is designated for unmarried children who are 21 or older of United States citizens. Only 23,400 family preference green cards are allocated to F1 out of 226,000 total each year. Often, Gloucester, MA applicants have to wait for years or in many instances, decades for family preference green cards to open up.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in Gloucester, MA?
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and substantial work and legal knowledge. The processing times for family-based petitions are not made available by the United States Citizens and Immigration Services, which can vary significantly depending on your country of origin and your preference category. However, there are many reports of fifteen-year or greater waits for sibling, or F4, visas. With that kind of waiting period, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with the utmost accuracy. A family immigration attorney in Gloucester, MA can help you present the requisite documents and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
Your Gloucester, Massachusetts immigration attorney can help you understand the ever-changing laws and regulations and interpret complex documentation. They understand the tight application timeline and can assist you and your family members in getting ready for visa interviews. With knowledgeable legal professionals in your corner, you can reduce wait times, experience a smoother application, and improve your family's chances to achieve the desired outcome.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Gloucester, MA: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When you or a family member is applying for a family preference green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Gloucester, MA. Our founder relocated to the United States as an immigrant, and a large number of our team members are also immigrants or have immigrant family members themselves. Our multicultural, multilingual team will assist your family through the legal immigration system and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We're eager to assist with your and your family member's immigration needs. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee future outcomes.