Methuen, MA Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Green Card for Family Immigrants enables particular family members of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to themselves become permanent residents in Methuen, MA and the entire United States. For those who are U.S. citizens, family members that can come to the U.S. with this type of green card include minor and adult children, spouses and siblings (providing that the citizen is over 21). With lawful permanent U.S. residents, eligible family members for this type of green card include unmarried children and spouses.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference are different in application from immediate family member green cards, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney in Methuen, MA can help you determine the right green card category to pursue, helping you reunite with your family and establish and continue your life together in the United States.
How Do Methuen, MA Family-Based Green Cards Work?
First, the Methuen, MA family member who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident has to file Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form proves the family relationship that qualifies for the sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member who is not in the United States must wait for visas to become accessible based on their application date and the yearly visa caps that Congress imposed. 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 category of eligible relative falls into a category of preference, which all have individual annual caps. As an example, F1, or First Preference, 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, Methuen, MA applicants have to wait for years or in many instances, decades for a family-sponsored green card to come.
Should You Hire a Family Immigration Attorney in Methuen, MA?
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and hard 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 change considerably which varies based on your nationality and your assigned preference category. With that being said, there are reports of more than fifteen-year waits for F4, or sibling, visas. With this kind of potential wait, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with accurate information. A family immigration attorney in Methuen, MA can help you present the requisite documents and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
An immigration attorney in Methuen, MA can also help you navigate regulations and laws that change regularly and understand complicated documents. They know the application’s schedules and can assist you and your family members in getting ready for visa interviews. When you have a strong legal team working with you and your family, you can reduce wait times, undergo a more seamless process, and improve your family's chances to achieve the desired outcome.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Methuen, MA: 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 Methuen, MA. Our founder immigrated to the U.S. herself, and a large number of our team members are also immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual team will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We're eager to assist with your and your family's immigration necessities. Start working with Weinstock Immigration Lawyers today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.