Wheatley Heights, NY Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card for authorizes certain relatives of United States citizens and permanent residents to themselves become permanent residents in Wheatley Heights, NY and the United States in general. For U.S. citizens, family members that can be brought to the U.S. with this type of green card include minor and adult children, spouses and siblings (providing that the citizen is over 21). For lawful permanent residents, the relatives eligible for this green card include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference 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 Wheatley Heights, NY can help your family decide the most fitting category of green card, helping your family to reconnect and begin or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Wheatley Heights, NY?
To get started, the family member located in Wheatley Heights, NY who is either a United States citizen or permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. This form proves the family relationship needed for 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 based on their application date and the current visa limits imposed by law. If the relative is legally in the U.S. already, they can request a status adjustment by filing forms including I-485.
Each eligible type of relative is assigned a preference category, which all have individual annual caps. As an example, F1, or First Preference, is for over 21-year-old, unmarried children of U.S. citizens. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. Wheatley Heights, NY applicants often wait for years or in some cases, even decades for a family-sponsored green card to come.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Wheatley Heights, NY
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and hard work and particular know-how. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can differ 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. With that kind of waiting period, you must apply as early as possible and with the utmost accuracy. Wheatley Heights, NY family immigration attorneys can assist with all the required paperwork and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
Immigration lawyers in Wheatley Heights, NY can assist you with understanding ever-changing laws and regulations and clarify confusing paperwork. They understand the application timelines and can coach you or your family members prior to visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you can shorten potential delays, undergo a more seamless process, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Family Immigration Attorney: Why Pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Wheatley Heights, NY
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Wheatley Heights, NY. Our founder moved to the United States as an immigrant, and many of our team members are immigrants or have family members who immigrated here. Our team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure and benefit from some of the immigration industry's highest approval rates.* We're ready to help with your and your family member's immigration needs. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.