Houston, PA Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Family Preference Green Card permits certain relatives of people who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents to themselves become permanent residents in Houston, PA and all of the United States. For U.S. citizens, family members that can come to the U.S. with this category of green card include children, spouses and siblings (if the citizen is 21 years or older). If someone is a lawful permanent resident, the family members who may qualify for this green card include unmarried children and spouses.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference have a different path from green cards for immediate family members, which are meant for parents, spouses, and minor children of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney near you in Houston, PA can assist your family in determining the correct type of green card category, reconnecting you with your family so you can establish or advance your lives together in the U.S.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Houston, PA?
To begin, the Houston, PA family member who is a lawful permanent resident or a U.S. citizen needs to file Form I-130, called a Petition for Alien Relative. This form helps demonstrate the family relation that qualifies for the sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member who lives abroad must wait for visas to become accessible based on their application date and the annual visa limits that Congress authorized. If the applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can apply for their status to be adjusted through form I-485 and others.
Each category of eligible relative has a defined preference categorization, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. For example, First Preference, or F1, 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 Houston, PA applicants to wait for many years or even decades for a family-sponsored green card to come.
Why Hire a Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Houston, PA?
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires consistent effort 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, there are many reports of fifteen-year or greater waits for sibling, or F4, 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. Houston, PA family immigration attorneys can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
Houston, PA immigration lawyers can help you understand the ever-changing laws and regulations and comprehend intricate documentation. They have a grasp of application timetables and can coach you or your family members prior to visa interviews. With experienced attorneys representing you and your family, you can reduce wait times, experience a smoother application, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Houston, PA as Your Family Immigration Lawyer
When you or a family member decides to pursue a family-based green card, pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Houston, PA. Our founder relocated to the United States as an immigrant, and a large number of our team members are also immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual attorneys will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We're ready to help with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Start today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee the same results.