Hartwick, NY Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Family Preference Green Card for authorizes specific relatives of United States citizens and permanent residents to become permanent residents of Hartwick, NY, and all of the United States. For those who are U.S. citizens, family members that can come to the U.S. with this green card include spouses, children (whether single or married) and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). If someone is a lawful permanent resident, the family members who may qualify for this green card include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
Green Cards for Family Preference Immigrants have a different path from green cards for immediate family members, which are meant for parents, spouses, and minor children of U.S. citizens. Family green card attorneys in Hartwick, NY can help your family decide the most fitting category of green card, helping your family to reconnect and establish or advance your lives together in the U.S.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Hartwick, NY?
First, the Hartwick, NY family member who is either a United States citizen or permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, called a Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection that qualifies for the sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, 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 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 through forms that include the I-485.
Each category of eligible relative falls into a category of preference, which all have individual annual caps. As an example, F1, or First Preference, is for over 21-year-old, unmarried children of U.S. citizens. Only 23,400 family preference green cards are allocated to F1 out of 226,000 total each year. Many Hartwick, NY applicants end up waiting for years and, in some cases, decades for family preference green cards to open up.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Hartwick, NY
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and significant efforts and in-depth expertise. The USCIS does not disclose estimated processing times for family-based petitions, which can fluctuate substantially which varies based on your nationality and which preference category you belong to. With that being said, there are reports of more than fifteen-year waits for F4, or sibling, visas. When you face this kind of potential delay, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with accurate information. Hartwick, NY family immigration attorneys can help you present the requisite documents and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
An immigration attorney in Hartwick, NY can also help you navigate constantly changing laws and regulations and interpret complex documentation. They understand the application timelines and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. When you have a strong legal team working with you and your family, you can minimize delays, benefit from a smoother experience, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Hartwick, NY: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When applying for a family-based green card, choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Hartwick, NY. Our founder moved to the United States as an immigrant, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers can help your family navigate the legal immigration process and experience some of the industry's highest rates of success.* We're ready 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.