Prattsburgh, NY Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Family Preference Green Card for authorizes certain relatives of permanent residents and U.S. citizens to themselves become permanent residents in Prattsburgh, NY and the entire United States. For those who are U.S. citizens, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. under this type of green card include children, spouses and siblings (as long as the citizen is at least 21). For those who are lawful permanent residents, eligible family members for this type of green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Family preference permanent resident cards have a different path from green cards for immediate family members, which are for spouses, parents, and minor children of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney in Prattsburgh, NY can help your family decide the correct type of green card category, reconnecting you with your family so you can create or advance your lives together in the U.S.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Prattsburgh, NY?
To begin, the Prattsburgh, NY family member who is a US citizen or permanent resident has to file Form I-130, known as a Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection necessary 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 applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can petition for a status adjustment through forms that include the I-485.
Each category of eligible relative is assigned a preference category, which all have individual annual caps. First Preference, or F1, for example 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, Prattsburgh, NY applicants have to wait for years and, in some cases, decades for family-sponsored green cards to become available.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Prattsburgh, NY
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires hard work and legal knowledge. The processing times for family-based petitions are not made available by the United States Citizens and Immigration Services, which can fluctuate substantially depending on the country you’re immigrating from and your assigned preference category. However, some have reported fifteen-year or more wait for an F4 (sibling) visa. When you face this kind of potential delay, you must apply as early as possible and with the utmost accuracy. Prattsburgh, NY family immigration attorneys can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
Immigration lawyers in Prattsburgh, NY can help you understand the regulations and laws that change regularly and interpret complex documentation. They know the application’s schedules and can coach you or your family members prior to visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you may be able to get the visa much quicker, benefit from a smoother experience, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Prattsburgh, NY: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When you or a family member decides to pursue a family-based green card, choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Prattsburgh, NY. Our founder immigrated to the U.S. herself, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual team will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* We’re here to help with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee the same results.