Austin, PA Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card permits certain relatives of people who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents to gain permanent residency in Austin, PA and the rest of the U.S. For U.S. citizens, family members that can be brought to the U.S. under this type of green card include children, spouses and siblings (if the citizen is 21 years or older). For lawful permanent residents, eligible family members for this type of green card include unmarried children and spouses.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference are different in application from immediate family member green cards, which are designated for a U.S. citizen's parents, spouses, and minor children. Your Austin, PA family green card lawyer can help you to decide the correct type of green card category, reconnecting you with your family so you can begin or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Austin, PA Family-Based Green Cards Work?
To begin, the Austin, PA family member who is a US citizen or permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form proves the family relationship that qualifies for the sponsorship. As soon as that form is approved, the family member who is not in the United States are required to wait for visas to become available depending on when they applied and the current visa limits imposed by law. If the applying relative is already in the United States legally, they can petition for a status adjustment by filing forms including I-485.
Each category of eligible relative has a defined preference categorization, all of which have annual limits. 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. Many Austin, PA applicants end up waiting for years or in many instances, decades for a family-sponsored green card to come.
Why Hire a Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Austin, PA?
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and hard work and legal knowledge. 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 which preference category you belong to. However, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. With that kind of waiting period, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with the utmost accuracy. Your Austin, PA family immigration lawyer can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
An immigration attorney in Austin, PA can assist you with understanding ever-changing laws and regulations and interpret complex documentation. They understand the application timelines and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you can shorten potential delays, benefit from a smoother experience, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Why Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers As Your Austin, PA Family Immigration Lawyer
When applying for a family-based green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Austin, PA. 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 multilingual, multicultural team of attorneys will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* We're ready to assist with your and your family member's immigration needs. Start today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar result.