Marblehead, MA Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Green Card for Family Immigrants enables certain relatives of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to gain permanent residency in Marblehead, MA and the entire United States. If someone is a U.S. citizen, family members that can come to the U.S. with this green card include spouses, children (whether single or married) and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). With lawful permanent U.S. residents, the family members who may qualify for this green card include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference have a different path from green cards for immediate family members, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney near you in Marblehead, MA can help you determine the correct type of green card category, helping you unite with your family to establish and continue your life together in the United States.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Marblehead, MA?
First, the Marblehead, MA family member who is either a United States citizen or permanent resident has to file Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection necessary for the sponsorship. Next, after USCIS approves the petition, the family member who lives abroad must wait for visas to become accessible 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 by filing forms including I-485.
Each eligible type of relative has a defined preference categorization, all of which have annual limits. For example, First Preference, or F1, 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. It's common for Marblehead, MA applicants to wait for many years and, in some cases, decades for family preference green cards to be available.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Marblehead, MA
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and substantial work and particular know-how. 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 the country you’re immigrating from and your designated preference category. 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 imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with accurate information. Marblehead, MA family immigration attorneys can help you present the requisite documents and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
Marblehead, MA immigration lawyers can also help you navigate regulations and laws that change regularly and comprehend intricate documentation. They understand the application timelines and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you may be able to get the visa much quicker, enjoy a more streamlined process, and improve your family's chances to achieve the desired outcome.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Marblehead, MA: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When you or a family member decides to pursue a family-based green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Marblehead, MA. Our founder immigrated to the U.S. herself, and many of our team members are immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers will assist your family through the legal immigration system 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. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee the same results.