Family-Based Green Card Attorneys in Erie, PA
A Family Preference Green Card for authorizes specified family members of permanent residents and U.S. citizens to become permanent residents of Erie, PA, and the United States in general. For U.S. citizens, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. with this type of green card include spouses, children (whether single or married) and siblings (providing that the citizen is over 21). With lawful permanent U.S. residents, relatives who could qualify for this type of green card include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
Green Cards for Family Preference Immigrants do not have the same process as green cards meant for immediate family, which are for spouses, parents, and minor children of U.S. citizens. Your Erie, PA family green card lawyer can help you determine the right green card category to pursue, helping you reunite with your family and build and continue your life together in the United States.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Erie, PA?
To begin, the Erie, PA family member who is a lawful permanent resident or a U.S. citizen must file Form I-130, known as a Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection needed for sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member who is out of the country must wait for visas to become accessible based on their application date and the annual visa quotas authorized by Congress. If the applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can request a status adjustment through form I-485 and others.
Every relative type who is eligible falls into a category of preference, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. First Preference, or F1, for example is designated for unmarried children who are 21 or older of United States citizens. 23,400 family preference green cards are appropriated for F1 applicants yearly, out of 226,000 available. Many Erie, PA applicants end up waiting for years or in many instances, decades for a family-sponsored green card to come.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in Erie, PA?
The United States immigration procedure is time-consuming and necessitates consistent effort and in-depth expertise. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can fluctuate substantially depending on your country of origin and your preference category. With that being said, there are reports of more than fifteen-year waits for F4, or sibling, visas. With that kind of waiting period, you must apply as early as possible and with accurate information. Erie, PA family immigration attorneys can assist with all the required paperwork and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
Erie, PA immigration lawyers can assist you in complying with regulations and laws that change regularly and interpret complex documentation. They know the application’s schedules and can help you or your family members prepare for visa interviews. When you have a strong legal team working with you and your family, you can reduce wait times, experience a smoother application, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Family Immigration Attorney: Why Pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Erie, PA
When applying for a family-based green card, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Erie, PA. Our founder moved to the United States as an immigrant, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* We're ready to help with your and your family's immigration necessities. Start working with Weinstock Immigration Lawyers today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee the same results.