Elizabethtown, NY Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card permits specific relatives of people who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents to be granted permanent residence in Elizabethtown, NY and the rest of the U.S. With U.S. citizens, the relatives they can bring to the U.S. with this green card include minor and adult children, spouses and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). For those who are lawful permanent residents, eligible family members for this type of green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Family preference permanent resident cards differ in process from immediate family green cards, which are meant for parents, spouses, and minor children of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney in Elizabethtown, NY can help you determine the right green card category to pursue, helping you reunite with your family and establish and continue your life together in the United States.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Elizabethtown, NY?
First, the Elizabethtown, NY family member who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident must file Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. This form helps demonstrate the family relation needed for sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member who is not in the United States must remain waiting until visas are obtainable based on the date they apply and the yearly visa caps that Congress imposed. If the applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can request for their immigration status to be adjusted by filing forms including I-485.
Each category of eligible relative falls into a category of preference, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. As an example, F1, or First Preference, is for the unmarried, over 21-year-old children of United States citizens. F1 is allocated 23,400 of 226,000 available yearly family preference green cards. Elizabethtown, NY applicants often wait for years or in many instances, decades for family preference green cards to open up.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Elizabethtown, NY
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires substantial work and particular know-how. The USCIS does not disclose estimated processing times for family-based petitions, which can fluctuate substantially depending on your country of origin and your assigned preference category. However, there are many reports of fifteen-year or greater waits for sibling, or F4, visas. With that kind of waiting period, it's critical that you file as soon as you can and with all of your correct data . A family immigration attorney in Elizabethtown, NY can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
An immigration attorney in Elizabethtown, NY can assist you with understanding constantly changing laws and regulations and interpret complex documentation. They have a grasp of application timetables and can coach you or your family members prior to visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you can shorten potential delays, enjoy a more streamlined process, and improve your family's chances to achieve the desired outcome.
Family Immigration Attorney: Why Pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Elizabethtown, NY
When you or a family member decides to pursue a family-based green card, choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Elizabethtown, NY. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have immigrant family members themselves. Our multicultural, multilingual attorneys will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure and experience some of the industry's highest rates of success.* We're ready to assist with all of your immigration requirements. Start working with Weinstock Immigration Lawyers today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee future outcomes.