Blackwood, NJ Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants allows specified family members of people who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents to be granted permanent residence in Blackwood, NJ and the entire United States. For those who are U.S. citizens, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. with this category of green card include children, spouses and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). With lawful permanent U.S. residents, eligible family members for this type of green card include unmarried children and spouses.
Family preference green cards 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. A family green card attorney in Blackwood, NJ can assist your family in determining the appropriate category of green card to apply for, reconnecting you with your family so you can create or advance your lives together in the U.S.
Family-Based Green Cards: How Do They Work in Blackwood, NJ?
To begin, the Blackwood, NJ family member who is either a United States citizen or permanent resident has to file Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection necessary for the sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member who is not in the United States are required to wait for visas to become available based on the date they apply and the annual visa limits that Congress authorized. If the applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can petition for a status adjustment through forms that include the I-485.
Each category of eligible relative is given preference classification, which each have their own annual limits. 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. Blackwood, NJ applicants often wait for 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 Blackwood, NJ
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and significant efforts and in-depth expertise. The USCIS does not disclose estimated processing times for family-based petitions, which can differ depending on your country of origin and which preference category you belong to. However, some have reported fifteen-year or more wait for an F4 (sibling) visa. If you're facing the potential of such a long wait, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with the utmost accuracy. A family immigration attorney in Blackwood, NJ can help you present the requisite documents and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
Immigration lawyers in Blackwood, NJ can assist you in complying with ever-changing laws and regulations and comprehend intricate documentation. They understand the tight application timeline and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. With knowledgeable legal professionals in your corner, you can reduce wait times, benefit from a smoother experience, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Blackwood, NJ as Your Family Immigration Lawyer
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Blackwood, NJ. Our founder relocated to the United States as an immigrant, and numerous members of our team are immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our multilingual, multicultural team of attorneys can guide your family through the immigration procedures and experience some of the industry's highest rates of success.* We're eager to assist with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Start today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee future outcomes.