Linwood, NY Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card permits specified family members of people who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents to gain permanent residency in Linwood, NY and the rest of the U.S. If someone is a U.S. citizen, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. with this green card include minor and adult children, spouses and siblings (providing that the citizen is over 21). If someone is a lawful permanent resident, the relatives eligible for this green card include unmarried children no matter what age, and spouses.
Family preference green cards differ in process from immediate family green cards, which are for spouses, parents, and minor children of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney near you in Linwood, NY can help you determine the appropriate category of green card to apply for, helping you unite with your family to create or advance your lives together in the U.S.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Linwood, NY?
First, the Linwood, NY family member who is a lawful permanent resident or a U.S. citizen must file Form I-130, called a Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection that qualifies for the sponsorship. As soon as that form is approved, the family member who lives abroad are required to wait for visas to become available depending on when they applied and the yearly visa caps that Congress imposed. If the relative is legally in the U.S. already, they can petition for a status adjustment with various forms including I-485.
Each eligible type of relative is assigned a preference category, 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 only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. Often, Linwood, NY applicants have to wait for years or in many instances, decades for a family-sponsored green card to come.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Linwood, NY
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires substantial work and in-depth expertise. The USCIS does not disclose estimated processing times for family-based petitions, which can change considerably based on where you're immigrating from and your preference category. However, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. With this kind of potential wait, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with the utmost accuracy. Linwood, NY family immigration attorneys can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
Linwood, NY immigration lawyers can assist you in complying with laws and regulations that change constantly and interpret complex documentation. They know the application’s schedules and can assist you and your family members in getting ready for visa interviews. With knowledgeable legal professionals in your corner, you can reduce wait times, 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 Linwood, NY
When you or a family member is applying for a family preference green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Linwood, NY. Our founder relocated to the United States as an immigrant, and many of our team members are immigrants or have family members who immigrated here. Our multicultural, multilingual attorneys will assist your family through the legal immigration system as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* We're ready to assist with all of your immigration requirements. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee the same results.