Family-Based Green Card Attorneys in Salem, MA
A Family Preference Green Card for authorizes certain relatives of people who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents to be granted permanent residence in Salem, MA and the entire United States. If someone is a U.S. citizen, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. with this type of green card include spouses, children (whether single or married) and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). For lawful permanent residents, the relatives eligible for this green card include unmarried children and spouses.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference differ in process from immediate family green cards, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. Your Salem, MA family green card lawyer can help you determine the most fitting category of green card, reconnecting you with your family so you can build and continue your life together in the United States.
Family-Based Green Cards: How Do They Work in Salem, MA?
To begin, the Salem, MA family member who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident must file Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection needed for sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member who lives abroad has to stand by for visas to be available depending on when they applied and the annual visa quotas authorized by Congress. If the applying relative is already in the United States legally, they can apply for their status to be adjusted through forms that include the I-485.
Every relative type who is eligible is assigned a preference category, which each have their own annual limits. As an example, F1, or First Preference, is for the unmarried, over 21-year-old children of United States citizens. 23,400 family preference green cards are appropriated for F1 applicants yearly, out of 226,000 available. Salem, MA applicants often wait for years or even decades for family preference green cards to open up.
Why Hire a Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Salem, MA?
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and substantial work and in-depth expertise. 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 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 critical that you file as soon as you can and with all of your correct data . Salem, MA family immigration attorneys can assist with all the required paperwork and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
Your Salem, Massachusetts immigration attorney can also help you navigate regulations and laws that change regularly and interpret complex documentation. They understand the tight application timeline and can help you or your family members prepare for visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you can shorten potential delays, undergo a more seamless process, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Salem, MA as Your Family Immigration Lawyer
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Salem, MA. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and many of our team members are immigrants or have close family who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual team can help your family navigate the legal immigration process and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We're ready to help with your and your family member's immigration needs. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar result.