Family-Based Green Card Attorneys in East Islip, NY
A Family Preference Green Card permits certain relatives of permanent residents and U.S. citizens to gain permanent residency in East Islip, NY 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 children, spouses and siblings (providing that the citizen is over 21). For those who are lawful permanent residents, the relatives eligible for this green card include unmarried children and spouses.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference have a different path from green cards for immediate family members, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney near you in East Islip, NY can assist your family in determining the appropriate category of green card to apply for, helping you unite with your family to create and grow your lives together in the United States.
Family-Based Green Cards: How Do They Work in East Islip, NY?
To start, the family member in East Islip, NY who is a lawful permanent resident or a U.S. citizen needs to file Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. This form proves the family relationship necessary for the sponsorship. As soon as that form is approved, the family member outside the United States must wait for visas to become accessible dependent on the date of submission and the current visa limits imposed by law. If the relative is legally in the U.S. already, they can request a status adjustment by filing forms including I-485.
Every eligible kind of family member has a defined preference categorization, 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. Only 23,400 family preference green cards are allocated to F1 out of 226,000 total each year. Often, East Islip, NY applicants have to wait for years and, in some cases, decades for a family-sponsored green card to come.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in East Islip, NY?
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires hard work and legal understanding. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can differ depending on your country of origin and your preference category. However, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. When you face this kind of potential delay, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with complete accuracy. Your East Islip, NY family immigration lawyer can assist with all the required paperwork and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
Immigration lawyers in East Islip, NY can assist you with understanding regulations and laws that change regularly and understand complicated documents. They understand the application timelines and can coach you or your family members prior to visa interviews. When you have a strong legal team working with you and your family, you may be able to get the visa much quicker, benefit from a smoother experience, and improve your family's chances to achieve the desired outcome.
Why Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers As Your East Islip, NY Family Immigration Lawyer
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in East Islip, NY. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and a large number of our team members are also immigrants or have close family who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual team will assist your family through the legal immigration system and benefit from some of the immigration industry's highest approval rates.* We're eager to assist with your and your family member's immigration needs. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee the same results.