Family Immigration Lawyers for Green Cards in Chatham, NJ
A Family Preference Green Card for authorizes specific relatives of people who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents to be granted permanent residence in Chatham, NJ and the rest of the U.S. For those who are U.S. citizens, family members that can be brought to the U.S. with this type of green card include spouses, children and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). If someone is a lawful permanent resident, eligible family members for this type of green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference differ in process from immediate family green cards, which are for spouses, parents, and minor children of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney in Chatham, NJ can help your family decide the correct type of green card category, helping you reunite with your family and begin and grow your lives together in the United States.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Chatham, NJ?
To begin, the Chatham, NJ family member who is a US citizen or 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 who is not in the United States must wait for visas to become accessible 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 request a status adjustment through forms that include the I-485.
Each category of eligible relative is assigned a preference category, which each have their own annual limits. For example, First Preference, or F1, is for over 21-year-old, unmarried children of U.S. citizens. 23,400 family preference green cards are appropriated for F1 applicants yearly, out of 226,000 available. Chatham, NJ applicants often wait for years or in some cases, even decades for family-sponsored green cards to become available.
Why Hire a Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Chatham, NJ?
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and consistent effort and legal knowledge. The USCIS does not disclose estimated processing times for family-based petitions, which can differ based on where you're immigrating from and your preference category. However, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. 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 Chatham, NJ can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
An immigration attorney in Chatham, NJ can assist you with understanding regulations and laws that change regularly and understand complicated documents. They understand the tight application timeline and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. When you have a strong legal team working with you and your family, you can reduce wait times, enjoy a more streamlined process, and boost your likelihood of success.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Chatham, NJ as Your Family Immigration Lawyer
When applying for a family-based green card, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Chatham, NJ. Our founder relocated to the United States as an immigrant, and many of our team members are immigrants or have family members who immigrated here. Our team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure and experience some of the industry's highest rates of success.* We’re here to help with your and your family's immigration necessities. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar result.