Merritt, NC Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants allows specified family members of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to themselves become permanent residents in Merritt, NC and the United States in general. With U.S. citizens, family members that can come to the U.S. with this green card include spouses, children and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). For those who are lawful permanent residents, eligible family members for this type of green card include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
Family preference green cards do not have the same process as green cards meant for immediate family, which are for spouses, parents, and minor children of U.S. citizens. Your Merritt, NC family green card lawyer can help your family decide the appropriate category of green card to apply for, reconnecting you with your family so you can begin and continue your life together in the United States.
How Do Merritt, NC Family-Based Green Cards Work?
To get started, the family member located in Merritt, NC who is either a United States citizen or permanent resident has to file Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection that qualifies for the sponsorship. Next, after USCIS approves the petition, the family member who is not in the United States must wait for visas to become accessible depending on when they applied and the annual visa limits that Congress authorized. If the applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can request for their immigration status to be adjusted 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 assigned to U.S. citizens’ children who are older than 21 and unmarried. 23,400 family preference green cards are appropriated for F1 applicants yearly, out of 226,000 available. It's common for Merritt, NC applicants to wait for many years or in many instances, decades for family preference green cards to be available.
Should You Hire a Family Immigration Attorney in Merritt, NC?
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires significant efforts and legal knowledge. The processing times for family-based petitions are not made available by the United States Citizens and Immigration Services, which can fluctuate substantially depending on your country of origin and which preference category you belong to. With that being said, there are reports of more than fifteen-year waits for F4, or sibling, visas. If you're facing the potential of such a long wait, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with complete accuracy. Merritt, NC family immigration attorneys can help you with the documentation and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
An immigration attorney in Merritt, NC can also help you navigate constantly changing laws and regulations and interpret complex documentation. They have a grasp of application timetables and can help you or your family members prepare for visa interviews. With knowledgeable legal professionals in your corner, you can shorten potential delays, benefit from a smoother experience, and boost your likelihood of success.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Merritt, NC: Your Family Immigration Attorney
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Merritt, NC. Our founder relocated to the United States as an immigrant, and many of our team members are immigrants or have immigrant family members themselves. Our team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers will assist your family through the legal immigration system and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We're ready to assist with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee future outcomes.