Hatfield, PA Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants allows certain relatives of people who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents to become permanent residents of Hatfield, PA, and the rest of the U.S. If someone is a U.S. citizen, family members that can come to the U.S. with this type of green card include minor and adult children, spouses and siblings (as long as the citizen is at least 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.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference are different in application from immediate family member green cards, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. Your Hatfield, PA family green card lawyer can help you to decide the right green card category to pursue, helping your family to reconnect and build or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Hatfield, PA?
To begin, the Hatfield, PA family member who is a lawful permanent resident or a U.S. citizen has to file Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection necessary for the sponsorship. Next, after USCIS approves the petition, the family member who lives abroad must wait for visas to become accessible dependent on the date of submission and the annual visa limits that Congress authorized. If the applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can request a status adjustment by filing forms including I-485.
Each category of eligible relative has a defined preference categorization, all of which have annual limits. For example, First Preference, or F1, 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. Many Hatfield, PA applicants end up waiting for years or in some cases, even decades for family preference green cards to open up.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in Hatfield, PA?
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and substantial work and particular know-how. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can differ based on where you're immigrating from and your designated preference category. However, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. When you face this kind of potential delay, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with the utmost accuracy. A family immigration attorney in Hatfield, PA can help you with the documentation and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
Immigration lawyers in Hatfield, PA can help you understand the ever-changing laws and regulations and understand complicated documents. They have a grasp of application timetables and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you can reduce wait times, experience a smoother application, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Hatfield, PA: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When you or a family member decides to pursue a family-based green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Hatfield, 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 multilingual, multicultural team of attorneys will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* We're ready to assist with your and your family member's immigration needs. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee future outcomes.