California, PA Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card permits certain relatives of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to be granted permanent residence in California, PA and all of the United States. For those who are U.S. citizens, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. with this green card include minor and adult 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 spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
Family preference permanent resident cards have a different path from green cards for immediate family members, which are meant for parents, spouses, and minor children of U.S. citizens. Family green card attorneys in California, PA can help your family decide the most fitting category of green card, helping you unite with your family to build and grow your lives together in the United States.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in California, PA?
To get started, the family member located in California, PA who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident has to file Form I-130, called a Petition for Alien Relative. This form proves the family relationship needed for sponsorship. As soon as that form is approved, the family member outside the United States are required to wait for visas to become available dependent on the date of submission and the annual visa limits that Congress authorized. If the family member is legally in the United States, they can apply for their status to be adjusted with various forms including I-485.
Every relative type who is eligible is assigned a preference category, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. First Preference, or F1, for example is for over 21-year-old, unmarried children of U.S. citizens. Only 23,400 family preference green cards are allocated to F1 out of 226,000 total each year. Many California, PA applicants end up waiting for years or even decades for family preference green cards to be available.
Why Hire a Family-Based Immigration Attorney in California, PA?
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and substantial work and legal knowledge. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can vary significantly based on where you're immigrating from 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. When you face this kind of potential delay, it's critical that you file as soon as you can and with all of your correct data . Your California, PA family immigration lawyer can assist with all the required paperwork and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
An immigration attorney in California, PA can also help you navigate regulations and laws that change regularly and clarify confusing paperwork. They understand the application timelines and can assist you and your family members in getting ready for visa interviews. When you have a strong legal team working with you and your family, you may be able to get the visa much quicker, experience a smoother application, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Family Immigration Attorney: Why Pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in California, PA
When you or a family member is applying for a family preference green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in California, PA. Our founder moved to the United States as an immigrant, and numerous members of our team are immigrants or have family members who immigrated here. Our multicultural, multilingual team can guide your family through the immigration procedures and benefit from some of the immigration industry's highest approval rates.* We’re here to help with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee future outcomes.