Schenectady, NY Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants allows particular family members of people who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents to gain permanent residency in Schenectady, NY and the United States in general. If someone is a U.S. citizen, family members that can come to the U.S. with this category of green card include minor and adult children, spouses and siblings (as long as the citizen is at least 21). With lawful permanent U.S. residents, the family members who may qualify for this green card include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
Family preference green cards have a different path from green cards for immediate family members, which are for spouses, parents, and minor children of U.S. citizens. Family green card attorneys in Schenectady, 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.
Family-Based Green Cards: How Do They Work in Schenectady, NY?
First, the Schenectady, NY family member who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident files Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. This form proves the family relationship necessary for the sponsorship. Next, after USCIS approves the petition, the family member who is out of the country are required to wait for visas to become available depending on when they applied and the annual visa quotas authorized by Congress. If the family member is legally in the United States, they can request for their immigration status to be adjusted by filing forms including I-485.
Every eligible kind of family member has a defined preference categorization, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. As an example, F1, or First Preference, 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. It's common for Schenectady, NY applicants to wait for many years or in some cases, even decades for family preference green cards to open up.
Should You Hire a Family Immigration Attorney in Schenectady, NY?
The United States immigration procedure is time-consuming and necessitates substantial work and legal understanding. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can differ depending on the country you’re immigrating from and your assigned preference category. However, there are many reports of fifteen-year or greater waits for sibling, or F4, visas. With that kind of waiting period, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with all of your correct data . A family immigration attorney in Schenectady, NY can help you present the requisite documents and correctly file it for your specific visa type.
Schenectady, NY immigration lawyers can help you understand the regulations and laws that change regularly and understand complicated documents. They understand the tight application timeline and can assist you and your family members in getting ready for visa interviews. With experienced attorneys representing you and your family, you can minimize delays, benefit from a smoother experience, and boost your likelihood of success.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Schenectady, 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 Schenectady, NY. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and numerous members of our team are immigrants or have immigrant family members themselves. Our multicultural, multilingual team can help your family navigate the legal immigration process and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We're ready to help with all of your immigration requirements. Start today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar result.