Uniondale, NY Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Green Card for Family Immigrants enables certain relatives of people who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents to gain permanent residency in Uniondale, NY and the rest of the U.S. If someone is a U.S. citizen, the relatives they can bring to the U.S. under this type of green card include spouses, children (whether single or married) and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). If someone is a lawful permanent resident, the relatives eligible for this green card include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
Family preference green cards are different in application from immediate family member green cards, which are for spouses, parents, and minor children of U.S. citizens. Family green card attorneys in Uniondale, NY can help you determine the most fitting category of green card, helping you reunite with your family and establish and grow your lives together in the United States.
Family-Based Green Cards: How Do They Work in Uniondale, NY?
To start, the family member in Uniondale, NY who is either a United States citizen or permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, called a Petition for Alien Relative. This form proves the family relationship required for sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member who is not in the United States must wait for visas to become accessible dependent on the date of submission and the current visa limits imposed by law. If the relative is legally in the U.S. already, they can request a status adjustment through forms that include the I-485.
Each eligible type of relative falls into a category of preference, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. For example, First Preference, or F1, 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. It's common for Uniondale, NY applicants to wait for many years and, in some cases, decades for family preference green cards to open up.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Uniondale, NY
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires consistent effort and in-depth expertise. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can vary significantly depending on the country you’re immigrating from 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, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with the utmost accuracy. Family immigration lawyers near you in Uniondale, NY can help you with the documentation and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
Your Uniondale, New York immigration attorney can also help you navigate regulations and laws that change regularly and comprehend intricate documentation. They have a grasp of application timetables and can assist you and your family members in getting ready for visa interviews. With knowledgeable legal professionals in your corner, you can minimize delays, benefit from a smoother experience, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Uniondale, NY as Your Family Immigration Lawyer
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Uniondale, NY. Our founder relocated 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 can guide your family through the immigration procedures and experience some of the industry's highest rates of success.* We're ready to assist with your and your family's immigration necessities. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar result.