Lykens, PA Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card for authorizes specific relatives of United States citizens and permanent residents to gain permanent residency in Lykens, PA and all of the United States. If someone is a U.S. citizen, family members that can be brought to the U.S. with this category of green card include minor and adult children, spouses and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). For lawful permanent residents, eligible family members 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 designated for a U.S. citizen's parents, spouses, and minor children. A family green card attorney in Lykens, PA can help you determine the correct type of green card category, helping you reunite with your family and build and continue your life together in the United States.
Family-Based Green Cards: How Do They Work in Lykens, PA?
First, the Lykens, PA family member who is a US citizen or permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, known as a Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection required for sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member who is out of the country must remain waiting until visas are obtainable based on the date they apply and the annual visa quotas authorized by Congress. If the family member is legally in the United States, they can petition for a status adjustment with various forms including I-485.
Each category of eligible relative has a defined preference categorization, which all have individual annual caps. For example, First Preference, or F1, is designated for unmarried children who are 21 or older of United States citizens. 23,400 family preference green cards are appropriated for F1 applicants yearly, out of 226,000 available. It's common for Lykens, PA applicants to wait for many years or even decades for family preference green cards to open up.
Why Hire a Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Lykens, PA?
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires substantial work and legal understanding. The processing times for family-based petitions are not made available by the United States Citizens and Immigration Services, which can vary significantly based on where you're immigrating from and your preference category. However, some have reported fifteen-year or more wait for an F4 (sibling) visa. With that kind of waiting period, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with the utmost accuracy. Your Lykens, PA family immigration lawyer can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
An immigration attorney in Lykens, PA can also help you navigate regulations and laws that change regularly and comprehend intricate documentation. They understand the application timelines and can coach you or your family members prior to visa interviews. With experienced attorneys representing you and your family, you may be able to get the visa much quicker, benefit from a smoother experience, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Lykens, PA: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When you or a family member is applying for a family preference green card, pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Lykens, PA. Our founder immigrated to the U.S. herself, and a large number of our team members are also immigrants or have family members who immigrated here. Our multilingual, multicultural team of attorneys can guide your family through the immigration procedures and benefit from some of the immigration industry's highest approval rates.* We’re here to help with your and your family's immigration necessities. Start working with Weinstock Immigration Lawyers today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.