Family-Based Green Card Attorneys in Gaines, PA
A Family Preference Green Card permits specified family members of United States citizens and permanent residents to be granted permanent residence in Gaines, PA and the United States in general. With U.S. citizens, family members that can be brought to the U.S. with this category of green card include minor and adult children, spouses and siblings (if the citizen is 21 years or older). For those who are lawful permanent residents, the family members who may qualify for this green card include unmarried children and spouses.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference do not have the same process as green cards meant for immediate family, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney near you in Gaines, PA can help you determine the correct type of green card category, helping your family to reconnect and establish or expand your life in the U.S. together.
Family-Based Green Cards: How Do They Work in Gaines, PA?
To start, the family member in Gaines, PA who is a US citizen or permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. This form proves the family relationship necessary for the sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member who lives abroad are required to wait for visas to become available depending on when they applied and the current visa limits imposed by law. If the applying relative is already in the United States legally, they can apply for their status to be adjusted by filing forms including I-485.
Each category of eligible relative falls into a category of preference, which all have individual annual caps. For example, First Preference, or F1, is assigned to U.S. citizens’ children who are older than 21 and unmarried. Only 23,400 family preference green cards are allocated to F1 out of 226,000 total each year. Often, Gaines, PA applicants have to wait for years or even decades for family preference green cards to open up.
Should You Hire a Family Immigration Attorney in Gaines, PA?
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and significant efforts 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 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 accurate information. Family immigration lawyers near you in Gaines, PA can help you present the requisite documents and correctly file it for your specific visa type.
Gaines, PA immigration lawyers can assist you in complying with laws and regulations that change constantly and clarify confusing paperwork. They know the application’s schedules and can help you or your family members prepare for visa interviews. With knowledgeable legal professionals in your corner, you may be able to get the visa much quicker, benefit from a smoother experience, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Gaines, PA as Your Family Immigration Lawyer
When applying for a family-based green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Gaines, PA. Our founder moved to the United States as an immigrant, and a large number of our team members are also immigrants or have family members who immigrated here. Our multicultural, multilingual team can help your family navigate the legal immigration process and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We’re here to help with your and your family's immigration necessities. Start today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.