Family-Based Green Card Attorneys in Shelter Island Heights, NY
A Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants allows certain relatives of permanent residents and U.S. citizens to gain permanent residency in Shelter Island Heights, NY and the United States in general. For those who are U.S. citizens, the relatives they can bring to the U.S. with this type of green card include spouses, children and siblings (as long as the citizen is at least 21). If someone is a lawful permanent resident, eligible family members for this type of green card include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
Family preference permanent resident 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 in Shelter Island Heights, NY can help your family decide the appropriate category of green card to apply for, helping you unite with your family to begin or advance your lives together in the U.S.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Shelter Island Heights, NY?
To start, the family member in Shelter Island Heights, NY who is a US citizen or permanent resident files Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection necessary for the sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member outside the United States has to stand by for visas to be available based on the date they apply and the annual visa quotas authorized by Congress. If the applying relative is already in the United States legally, they can apply for their status to be adjusted through form I-485 and others.
Each category of eligible relative is assigned a preference category, 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. Only 23,400 family preference green cards are allocated to F1 out of 226,000 total each year. Many Shelter Island Heights, NY applicants end up waiting for years or in many instances, decades for family preference green cards to open up.
Should You Hire a Family Immigration Attorney in Shelter Island Heights, NY?
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and hard work and legal knowledge. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can differ depending on your country of origin and which preference category you belong to. However, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. When you face this kind of potential delay, it's critical that you file as soon as you can and with accurate information. Family immigration lawyers near you in Shelter Island Heights, NY can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
An immigration attorney in Shelter Island Heights, NY can assist you with understanding regulations and laws that change regularly and interpret complex documentation. They understand the application timelines and can coach you or your family members prior to visa interviews. With experienced attorneys representing you and your family, you can reduce wait times, benefit from a smoother experience, and boost your likelihood of success.
Why Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers As Your Shelter Island Heights, NY Family Immigration Lawyer
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Shelter Island Heights, NY. Our founder moved to the United States as an immigrant, and numerous members of our team are immigrants or have close family who are immigrants. Our multilingual, multicultural team of attorneys can guide your family through the immigration procedures as we offer some of the industry’s highest success 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: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.