Exeter, PA Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants allows certain relatives of permanent residents and U.S. citizens to gain permanent residency in Exeter, PA and the rest of the U.S. With U.S. citizens, family members that can be brought to the U.S. under this type of green card include spouses, children (whether single or married) and siblings (as long as the citizen is at least 21). With lawful permanent U.S. residents, the relatives eligible for this green card include unmarried children and spouses.
Family preference permanent resident cards differ in process from immediate family green cards, which are for spouses, parents, and minor children of U.S. citizens. Family green card attorneys in Exeter, PA can help you to decide the correct type of green card category, helping you unite with your family to begin or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Exeter, PA?
To begin, the Exeter, PA family member who is either a United States citizen or permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, called a Petition for Alien Relative. The form demonstrates the connection required for sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member who is not in the United States must wait for visas to become accessible based on the date they apply and the annual visa quotas authorized by Congress. If the relative is legally in the U.S. already, they can request a status adjustment by filing forms including I-485.
Every eligible kind of family member falls into a category of preference, which all have individual annual caps. As an example, F1, or First Preference, is for over 21-year-old, unmarried children of U.S. citizens. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. It's common for Exeter, PA applicants to wait for many years or even decades for family preference green cards to open up.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Exeter, PA
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and hard work and legal understanding. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can change considerably 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. 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 . Family immigration lawyers near you in Exeter, PA can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
Your Exeter, Pennsylvania immigration attorney can help you understand the 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. When you have a strong legal team working with you and your family, you can reduce wait times, enjoy a more streamlined process, and improve your family's chances to achieve the desired outcome.
Why Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers As Your Exeter, PA Family Immigration Lawyer
When you or a family member is applying for a family preference green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Exeter, PA. Our founder immigrated to the U.S. herself, and a large number of our team members are also immigrants or have immigrant family members themselves. Our team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers can help your family navigate the legal immigration process and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We're eager to assist with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Start working with Weinstock Immigration Lawyers today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee future outcomes.