Family Immigration Lawyers for Green Cards in Saint Johnsville, NY
A Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants allows specific relatives of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to themselves become permanent residents in Saint Johnsville, NY and all of the United States. With U.S. citizens, the relatives they can bring to the U.S. under 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 spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference have a different path from green cards for immediate family members, which are designated for a U.S. citizen's parents, spouses, and minor children. Family green card attorneys in Saint Johnsville, NY can help your family decide the right green card category to pursue, reconnecting you with your family so you can begin and continue your life together in the United States.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Saint Johnsville, NY?
To get started, the family member located in Saint Johnsville, NY who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident has to file Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection required for sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member outside the United States has to stand by for visas to be available based on the date they apply and the current visa limits imposed by law. 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 has a defined preference categorization, which all have individual annual caps. First Preference, or F1, for example is designated for unmarried children who are 21 or older of United States citizens. F1 is allocated 23,400 of 226,000 available yearly family preference green cards. Often, Saint Johnsville, NY applicants have to wait for years or in many instances, decades for family preference green cards to be available.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in Saint Johnsville, NY?
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and substantial work and legal understanding. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can change considerably depending on the country you’re immigrating from and your designated preference category. However, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. With that kind of waiting period, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with the utmost accuracy. Your Saint Johnsville, NY family immigration lawyer can help you with the documentation and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
Saint Johnsville, NY immigration lawyers can also help you navigate regulations and laws that change regularly and clarify confusing paperwork. They understand the tight application timeline and can assist you and your family members in getting ready for visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you can minimize delays, enjoy a more streamlined process, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Saint Johnsville, NY: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When applying for a family-based green card, select Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Saint Johnsville, NY. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and many of our team members are immigrants or have immigrant family members themselves. 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 here to help with all of your immigration requirements. Start today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar result.