Stoneham, MA Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Green Card for Family Immigrants enables specified family members of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to be granted permanent residence in Stoneham, MA and the rest of the U.S. For U.S. citizens, the relatives they can bring to the U.S. with this category of green card include children, spouses and siblings (if the citizen is 21 years or older). For those who are lawful permanent residents, eligible family members for this type of green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Green Cards for Family Preference Immigrants do not have the same process as green cards meant for immediate family, which are designated for a U.S. citizen's parents, spouses, and minor children. Your Stoneham, MA family green card lawyer can assist your family in determining the appropriate category of green card to apply for, helping you reunite with your family and begin and continue your life together in the United States.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Stoneham, MA?
To get started, the family member located in Stoneham, MA who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, known as a Petition for Alien Relative. This form proves the family relationship that qualifies for the sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member outside the United States must remain waiting until visas are obtainable based on the date they apply and the yearly visa caps that Congress imposed. If the relative is legally in the U.S. already, they can apply for their status to be adjusted through form I-485 and others.
Each eligible type of relative has a defined preference categorization, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. For example, First Preference, or F1, is designated for unmarried children who are 21 or older of United States citizens. F1 is allocated 23,400 of 226,000 available yearly family preference green cards. It's common for Stoneham, MA applicants to wait for many years or in many instances, decades for family preference green cards to open up.
Why Hire a Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Stoneham, MA?
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and consistent effort and particular know-how. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can vary significantly depending on the country you’re immigrating from and your designated preference category. However, some have reported fifteen-year or more wait for an F4 (sibling) visa. With this kind of potential wait, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with all of your correct data . A family immigration attorney in Stoneham, MA can help you present the requisite documents and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
An immigration attorney in Stoneham, MA 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. When you have a strong legal team working with you and your family, you can shorten potential delays, enjoy a more streamlined process, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Family Immigration Attorney: Why Pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Stoneham, MA
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, select Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Stoneham, MA. Our founder relocated to the United States as an immigrant, and many of our team members are immigrants or have immigrant family members themselves. Our team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers will assist your family through the legal immigration system and experience some of the industry's highest rates of success.* We're eager to assist with all of your immigration requirements. Start working with Weinstock Immigration Lawyers today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar result.