Appleton, NY Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card permits specific relatives of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to themselves become permanent residents in Appleton, NY and the rest of the U.S. For U.S. citizens, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. with this type of green card include spouses, children and siblings (if the citizen is 21 years or older). With lawful permanent U.S. residents, eligible family members for this type of green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference 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 Appleton, NY family green card lawyer can assist your family in determining the most fitting category of green card, helping you unite with your family to build and grow your lives together in the United States.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Appleton, NY?
To start, the family member in Appleton, NY who is a lawful permanent resident or a U.S. citizen files Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection that qualifies for the sponsorship. As soon as that form 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 applying relative is already in the United States legally, they can petition for a status adjustment by filing forms including I-485.
Each eligible type of relative is given preference classification, which all have individual annual caps. For example, First Preference, or F1, is designated for unmarried children who are 21 or older of United States citizens. 23,400 family preference green cards are appropriated for F1 applicants yearly, out of 226,000 available. Many Appleton, NY applicants end up waiting for years or in some cases, even decades for family preference green cards to be available.
Should You Hire a Family Immigration Attorney in Appleton, NY?
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and hard work and legal knowledge. The USCIS does not disclose estimated processing times for family-based petitions, which can differ depending on the country you’re immigrating from and which preference category you belong to. However, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. When you face this kind of potential delay, it's critical that you file as soon as you can and with accurate information. Appleton, NY family immigration attorneys can help you present the requisite documents and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
Appleton, NY immigration lawyers can help you understand the 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, benefit from a smoother experience, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Appleton, NY: Your Family Immigration Attorney
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, select Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Appleton, NY. Our founder moved to the United States as an immigrant, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have close family who are immigrants. Our team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers can guide your family through the immigration procedures and experience some of the industry's highest rates of success.* We're ready to help with all of your immigration requirements. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar result.