Geneva, NY Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Family Preference Green Card for authorizes specified family members of people who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents to become permanent residents of Geneva, NY, and the rest of the U.S. If someone is a U.S. citizen, the relatives they can bring to the U.S. with this type of green card include children, spouses and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). With lawful permanent U.S. residents, the family members who may qualify for this green card include unmarried children and spouses.
Family preference green cards are different in application from immediate family member green cards, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney in Geneva, NY can help your family decide the right green card category to pursue, reconnecting you with your family so you can establish or advance your lives together in the U.S.
Family-Based Green Cards: How Do They Work in Geneva, NY?
To begin, the Geneva, NY family member who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident files Form I-130, called a Petition for Alien Relative. This form proves the family relationship required for sponsorship. Next, after USCIS approves the petition, the family member who lives abroad has to stand by for visas to be available based on their application date and the annual visa limits that Congress authorized. If the applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can petition for a status adjustment by filing forms including I-485.
Each category of eligible relative has a defined preference categorization, which all have individual annual caps. F1, for example, which is First Preference, 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. Often, Geneva, NY applicants have to wait for years or in many instances, decades for family preference green cards to be available.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Geneva, NY
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires hard work and in-depth expertise. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can vary significantly depending on your country of origin and your preference category. However, there are many reports of fifteen-year or greater waits for sibling, or F4, visas. With this kind of potential wait, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with complete accuracy. Family immigration lawyers near you in Geneva, NY can help you with the documentation and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
An immigration attorney in Geneva, NY can also help you navigate ever-changing laws and regulations and understand complicated documents. They have a grasp of application timetables and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you may be able to get the visa much quicker, enjoy a more streamlined process, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Geneva, 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 Geneva, NY. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and a large number of our team members are also immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual team can guide your family through the immigration procedures and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We're ready to assist with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Start today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.