Bridgeport, PA Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants allows certain relatives of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to gain permanent residency in Bridgeport, PA and the entire United States. With U.S. citizens, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. under this type of green card include spouses, children (whether single or married) and siblings (providing that the citizen is over 21). For those who are lawful permanent residents, relatives who could qualify for this type of green card include unmarried children no matter what age, and spouses.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference differ in process from immediate family green cards, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. Family green card attorneys in Bridgeport, PA can help you determine the correct type of green card category, helping your family to reconnect and create or advance your lives together in the U.S.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Bridgeport, PA?
To begin, the Bridgeport, PA family member who is either a United States citizen or permanent resident files Form I-130, called a Petition for Alien Relative. This form proves the family relationship necessary for the sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member who is out of the country must remain waiting until visas are obtainable based on the date they apply and the annual visa limits that Congress authorized. If the relative is legally in the U.S. already, they can petition for a status adjustment through form I-485 and others.
Every relative type who is eligible 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. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. Many Bridgeport, PA applicants end up waiting for years or in many instances, decades for family preference green cards to open up.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in Bridgeport, PA?
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and consistent effort and in-depth expertise. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can differ depending on your country of origin and which preference category you belong to. However, there are many reports of fifteen-year or greater waits for sibling, or F4, visas. With that kind of waiting period, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with accurate information. A family immigration attorney in Bridgeport, PA can assist with all the required paperwork and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
Bridgeport, PA immigration lawyers can assist you with understanding ever-changing laws and regulations and comprehend intricate documentation. They have a grasp of application timetables and can assist you and your family members in getting ready for visa interviews. With experienced attorneys representing you and your family, you may be able to get the visa much quicker, undergo a more seamless process, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Bridgeport, PA as Your Family Immigration Lawyer
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Bridgeport, PA. Our founder immigrated to the U.S. herself, and many of our team members are immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual attorneys will assist your family through the legal immigration system and benefit from some of the immigration industry's highest approval rates.* We’re here to help with all of your immigration requirements. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar result.