Southern Pines, NC Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Family Preference Green Card permits certain relatives of United States citizens and permanent residents to become permanent residents of Southern Pines, NC, and all of the United States. For those who are U.S. citizens, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. with this category of green card include spouses, children and siblings (as long as the citizen is at least 21). For lawful permanent residents, relatives who could qualify for this type of green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Family preference green cards are different in application from immediate family member green cards, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. Family green card attorneys in Southern Pines, NC can assist your family in determining the correct type of green card category, reconnecting you with your family so you can build and continue your life together in the United States.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Southern Pines, NC?
To start, the family member in Southern Pines, NC 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 verifies the familial connection needed for sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member outside the United States must wait for visas to become accessible dependent on the date of submission and the yearly visa caps that Congress imposed. If the applying relative is already in the United States legally, they can request a status adjustment through form I-485 and others.
Every eligible kind of family member falls into a category of preference, all of which have annual limits. F1, for example, which is First Preference, is designated for unmarried children who are 21 or older of United States citizens. Only 23,400 family preference green cards are allocated to F1 out of 226,000 total each year. Southern Pines, NC applicants often wait for years or in some cases, even decades for family-sponsored green cards to become available.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in Southern Pines, NC?
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and significant efforts and particular know-how. The USCIS does not disclose estimated processing times for family-based petitions, which can change considerably based on where you're immigrating from and your preference category. However, some have reported fifteen-year or more wait for an F4 (sibling) visa. If you're facing the potential of such a long wait, it's critical that you file as soon as you can and with accurate information. A family immigration attorney in Southern Pines, NC can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
Your Southern Pines, North Carolina immigration attorney can also help you navigate constantly changing laws and regulations and understand complicated documents. They understand the tight application timeline and can coach you or your family members prior to 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 boost your likelihood of success.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Southern Pines, NC as Your Family Immigration Lawyer
When you or a family member is applying for a family preference green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Southern Pines, NC. Our founder relocated to the United States as an immigrant, and many of our team members are immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our multilingual, multicultural team of attorneys will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure and benefit from some of the immigration industry's highest approval rates.* We're eager to assist with your and your family's immigration necessities. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.