Family Immigration Lawyers for Green Cards in Elmira Heights, NY
A Family Preference Green Card permits specific relatives of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to gain permanent residency in Elmira Heights, NY and the United States in general. With U.S. citizens, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. with this category of green card include spouses, children (whether single or married) and siblings (as long as the citizen is at least 21). For those who are lawful permanent residents, the family members who may qualify for this green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Family preference green cards do not have the same process as green cards meant for immediate family, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. Your Elmira Heights, NY family green card lawyer can assist your family in determining the correct type of green card category, helping you reunite with your family and begin and continue your life together in the United States.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Elmira Heights, NY?
To start, the family member in Elmira Heights, NY who is a US citizen or permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. This form helps demonstrate the family relation necessary for the sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member outside the United States must wait for visas to become accessible based on their application date and the annual visa limits that Congress authorized. If the family member is legally in the United States, they can request a status adjustment through form I-485 and others.
Each category of eligible relative falls into a category of preference, all of which have annual limits. For example, First Preference, or F1, 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. It's common for Elmira Heights, NY applicants to wait for many 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 Elmira Heights, NY?
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and substantial work and particular know-how. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can change considerably which varies based on your nationality and your preference category. With that being said, there are reports of more than fifteen-year waits for F4, or sibling, visas. With this kind of potential wait, you must apply as early as possible and with the utmost accuracy. Your Elmira Heights, NY family immigration lawyer can assist with all the required paperwork and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
An immigration attorney in Elmira Heights, NY can assist you in complying with laws and regulations that change constantly and comprehend intricate documentation. They understand the application timelines and can assist you and your family members in getting ready for visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you can reduce wait times, benefit from a smoother experience, and boost your likelihood of success.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Elmira Heights, NY as Your Family Immigration Lawyer
When applying for a family-based green card, pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Elmira Heights, NY. Our founder immigrated to the U.S. herself, and many of our team members are immigrants or have family members who immigrated here. Our multicultural, multilingual team can help your family navigate the legal immigration process and benefit from some of the immigration industry's highest approval rates.* We’re here to help with your and your family's immigration necessities. Start today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.