Family Immigration Lawyers for Green Cards in Crafton, PA
A Family Preference Green Card for authorizes certain relatives of United States citizens and permanent residents to gain permanent residency in Crafton, PA and all of the United States. For U.S. citizens, family members that can come to the U.S. with this category of green card include minor and adult children, spouses and siblings (providing that the citizen is over 21). For lawful permanent residents, relatives who could qualify for this type of green card include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
Family preference green cards have a different path from green cards for immediate family members, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney near you in Crafton, PA can help your family decide the appropriate category of green card to apply for, helping your family to reconnect and begin or advance your lives together in the U.S.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Crafton, PA?
To start, the family member in Crafton, PA 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. Once that petition is approved, the family member who lives abroad must wait for visas to become accessible based on the date they apply and the annual visa limits that Congress authorized. If the applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can petition for a status adjustment by filing forms including I-485.
Each eligible type of relative has a defined preference categorization, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. First Preference, or F1, for example is assigned to U.S. citizens’ children who are older than 21 and unmarried. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. Often, Crafton, PA applicants have to wait for years or in many instances, decades for family preference green cards to open up.
Should You Hire a Family Immigration Attorney in Crafton, PA?
The United States immigration procedure is time-consuming and necessitates substantial work and particular know-how. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can fluctuate substantially depending on the country you’re immigrating from and your assigned preference category. With that being said, there are reports of more than fifteen-year waits for F4, or sibling, visas. If you're facing the potential of such a long wait, it's critical that you file as soon as you can and with the utmost accuracy. A family immigration attorney in Crafton, PA can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
Crafton, PA immigration lawyers can assist you in complying with laws and regulations that change constantly and interpret complex documentation. They understand the tight application timeline and can coach you or your family members prior to visa interviews. With knowledgeable legal professionals in your corner, you can reduce wait times, undergo a more seamless process, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Crafton, PA: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When you or a family member is applying for a family preference green card, pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Crafton, PA. Our founder moved to the United States as an immigrant, and a large number of our team members are also immigrants or have close family who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual team can guide your family through the immigration procedures and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We’re here to help with your and your family's immigration necessities. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee future outcomes.