Hookstown, PA Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card permits particular family members of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to be granted permanent residence in Hookstown, PA and the rest of the U.S. For those who are U.S. citizens, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. with this type of green card include children, spouses and siblings (providing that the citizen is over 21). For those who are lawful permanent residents, the family members who may qualify for this green card include unmarried children no matter what age, and spouses.
Family preference permanent resident cards differ in process from immediate family green cards, which are meant for parents, spouses, and minor children of U.S. citizens. Family green card attorneys in Hookstown, PA can help your family decide the right green card category to pursue, helping you unite with your family to build or advance your lives together in the U.S.
Family-Based Green Cards: How Do They Work in Hookstown, PA?
First, the Hookstown, PA family member who is either a United States citizen or permanent resident must file Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form proves the family relationship necessary for the sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member outside the United States has to stand by for visas to be available 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 request a status adjustment with various forms including I-485.
Every relative type who is eligible falls into a category of preference, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. F1, for example, which is First Preference, is for over 21-year-old, unmarried children of U.S. citizens. Only 23,400 family preference green cards are allocated to F1 out of 226,000 total each year. It's common for Hookstown, PA applicants to wait for many years and, in some cases, decades for family-sponsored green cards to become available.
Why Hire a Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Hookstown, PA?
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and hard work and legal knowledge. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can vary significantly depending on your country of origin and your preference category. However, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. With that kind of waiting period, you must apply as early as possible and with the utmost accuracy. Family immigration lawyers near you in Hookstown, PA can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
An immigration attorney in Hookstown, PA can assist you with understanding constantly changing laws and regulations and clarify confusing paperwork. They understand the application timelines and can help you or your family members prepare for visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you can reduce wait times, experience a smoother application, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Why Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers As Your Hookstown, PA Family Immigration Lawyer
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, select Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Hookstown, PA. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and numerous members of our team are immigrants or have immigrant family members themselves. Our multilingual, multicultural team of attorneys will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure and benefit from some of the immigration industry's highest approval rates.* We're ready to help with all of your immigration requirements. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.