Edison, NJ Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants allows certain relatives of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to become permanent residents of Edison, NJ, and the rest of the U.S. With U.S. citizens, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. under this type of green card include children, spouses and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). For those who are lawful permanent residents, the family members who may qualify for this green card include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
Family preference green cards do not have the same process as green cards meant for immediate family, which are for spouses, parents, and minor children of U.S. citizens. Your Edison, NJ family green card lawyer can help you to decide the right green card category to pursue, reconnecting you with your family so you can begin or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Edison, NJ?
To begin, the Edison, NJ family member who is a lawful permanent resident or a U.S. citizen must file Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection necessary for the sponsorship. Next, after USCIS approves the petition, the family member outside the United States must remain waiting until visas are obtainable based on their application date and the yearly visa caps that Congress imposed. If the applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can request a status adjustment through form I-485 and others.
Every eligible kind of family member falls into a category of preference, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. First Preference, or F1, for example is assigned to U.S. citizens’ children who are older than 21 and unmarried. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. Edison, NJ applicants often wait for years or even decades for family preference green cards to be available.
Why Hire a Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Edison, NJ?
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires hard work and particular know-how. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can vary significantly based on where you're immigrating from and your assigned preference category. With that being said, there are reports of more than fifteen-year waits for F4, or sibling, visas. If you're facing the potential of such a long wait, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with accurate information. Family immigration lawyers near you in Edison, NJ can help you with the documentation and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
Edison, NJ immigration lawyers can assist you with understanding regulations and laws that change regularly and understand complicated documents. They know the application’s schedules 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, experience a smoother application, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Edison, NJ: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When applying for a family-based green card, choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Edison, NJ. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and numerous members of our team are immigrants or have close family who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual team will assist your family through the legal immigration system as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* We’re here to help with your and your family's immigration necessities. Start today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar result.