Benton, PA Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card permits specified family members of permanent residents and U.S. citizens to be granted permanent residence in Benton, PA and the entire United States. If someone is a U.S. citizen, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. under this type of green card include children, spouses and siblings (providing that the citizen is over 21). If someone is a lawful permanent resident, eligible family members for this type of 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 Benton, PA can help your family decide the right green card category to pursue, helping you reunite with your family and create and grow your lives together in the United States.
How Do Benton, PA Family-Based Green Cards Work?
To begin, the Benton, PA family member who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, called a Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection that qualifies for the sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member who is not in the United States must remain waiting until visas are obtainable depending on when they applied and the yearly visa caps that Congress imposed. If the relative is legally in the U.S. already, they can request for their immigration status to be adjusted through forms that include the I-485.
Each eligible type of relative is assigned a preference category, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. F1, for example, which is First Preference, is for the unmarried, over 21-year-old children of United States citizens. 23,400 family preference green cards are appropriated for F1 applicants yearly, out of 226,000 available. Often, Benton, PA applicants have to wait for years or in many instances, decades for a family-sponsored green card to come.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Benton, PA
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and substantial work and particular know-how. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can differ which varies based on your nationality and your designated preference category. 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 all of your correct data . Your Benton, PA family immigration lawyer can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and correctly file it for your specific visa type.
An immigration attorney in Benton, PA can also help you navigate laws and regulations that change constantly and understand complicated documents. They know the application’s schedules 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 improve your family's chances to achieve the desired outcome.
Family Immigration Attorney: Why Pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Benton, PA
When you or a family member decides to pursue a family-based green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Benton, PA. Our founder immigrated to the U.S. herself, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual team can help your family navigate the legal immigration process and benefit from some of the immigration industry's highest approval rates.* We're ready to assist with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.