Palisades, NY Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Family Preference Green Card permits specified family members of permanent residents and U.S. citizens to gain permanent residency in Palisades, NY and the United States in general. With U.S. citizens, family members that can come 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). If someone is a lawful permanent resident, eligible family members for this type of 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 designated for a U.S. citizen's parents, spouses, and minor children. Family green card attorneys in Palisades, NY can help you determine the appropriate category of green card to apply for, reconnecting you with your family so you can begin or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Palisades, NY?
To begin, the Palisades, 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 helps demonstrate the family relation needed for sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member outside the United States has to stand by for visas to be available dependent on the date of submission and the yearly visa caps that Congress imposed. If the family member is legally in the United States, they can request a status adjustment with various forms including I-485.
Each category of eligible relative is given preference classification, which all have individual annual caps. F1, for example, which is First Preference, is for over 21-year-old, unmarried children of U.S. citizens. F1 is allocated 23,400 of 226,000 available yearly family preference green cards. It's common for Palisades, NY applicants to wait for many years and, in some cases, decades for a family-sponsored green card to come.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Palisades, NY
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires significant efforts and particular know-how. 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, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. If you're facing the potential of such a long wait, you must apply as early as possible and with accurate information. Your Palisades, NY family immigration lawyer can assist with all the required paperwork and correctly file it for your specific visa type.
Your Palisades, New York immigration attorney can help you understand the ever-changing laws and regulations and clarify confusing paperwork. They understand the application timelines and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you can reduce wait times, enjoy a more streamlined process, and improve your family's chances to achieve the desired outcome.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Palisades, 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 Palisades, NY. Our founder moved to the United States as an immigrant, and many of our team members are immigrants or have close family who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual attorneys will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure and benefit from some of the immigration industry's highest approval rates.* We're eager to assist with your and your family member's immigration needs. Start working with Weinstock Immigration Lawyers today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee future outcomes.