Verplanck, NY Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Family Preference Green Card permits specified family members of permanent residents and U.S. citizens to become permanent residents of Verplanck, NY, and all of the United States. With U.S. citizens, family members that can be brought to the U.S. under this type 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 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 designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. Your Verplanck, NY family green card lawyer can help you determine the correct type of green card category, reconnecting you with your family so you can begin or advance your lives together in the U.S.
Family-Based Green Cards: How Do They Work in Verplanck, NY?
To start, the family member in Verplanck, NY who is a lawful permanent resident or a U.S. citizen has to file Form I-130, known as a Petition for Alien Relative. This form proves the family relationship that qualifies for the sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member who lives abroad has to stand by for visas to be available based on their application date and the annual visa quotas authorized by Congress. If the applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can petition for a status adjustment with various forms including I-485.
Each eligible type of relative falls into a category of preference, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. As an example, F1, or First Preference, is for the unmarried, over 21-year-old children of United States citizens. Only 23,400 family preference green cards are allocated to F1 out of 226,000 total each year. It's common for Verplanck, NY applicants to wait for many years or in many instances, decades for a family-sponsored green card to come.
Why Hire a Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Verplanck, NY?
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires significant efforts and legal knowledge. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can change considerably based on where you're immigrating from and your designated preference category. However, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. When you face this kind of potential delay, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with complete accuracy. Verplanck, NY family immigration attorneys can help you present the requisite documents and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
An immigration attorney in Verplanck, NY can also help you navigate laws and regulations that change constantly and clarify confusing paperwork. They understand the tight application timeline and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. When you have a strong legal team working with you and your family, you can shorten potential delays, enjoy a more streamlined process, and improve your family's chances to achieve the desired outcome.
Why Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers As Your Verplanck, NY Family Immigration Lawyer
When you or a family member decides to pursue a family-based green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Verplanck, NY. Our founder immigrated to the U.S. herself, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have family members who immigrated here. Our multicultural, multilingual attorneys will assist your family through the legal immigration system and benefit from some of the immigration industry's highest approval rates.* We're ready to help with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar result.