Family-Based Green Card Attorneys in Pittsburgh, PA
A Green Card for Family Immigrants enables specified family members of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to themselves become permanent residents in Pittsburgh, PA and the entire United States. For U.S. citizens, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. with this type of green card include spouses, children (whether single or married) and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). With lawful permanent U.S. residents, the relatives eligible for this green card include unmarried children and spouses.
Family preference green cards differ in process from immediate family green cards, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. Family green card attorneys in Pittsburgh, PA can help you determine the most fitting category of green card, helping you unite with your family to begin or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Pittsburgh, PA Family-Based Green Cards Work?
To begin, the Pittsburgh, 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. The form demonstrates the connection that qualifies for the sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member outside the United States are required to wait for visas to become available based on the date they apply and the annual visa limits that Congress authorized. If the applying relative is already in the United States legally, they can petition for a status adjustment by filing forms including I-485.
Each eligible type of relative falls into a category of preference, which all have individual annual caps. F1, for example, which is First Preference, is assigned to U.S. citizens’ children who are older than 21 and unmarried. F1 is allocated 23,400 of 226,000 available yearly family preference green cards. Many Pittsburgh, PA applicants end up waiting for years or in many instances, decades for family preference green cards to be available.
Should You Hire a Family Immigration Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA?
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and significant efforts and particular know-how. The USCIS does not disclose estimated processing times for family-based petitions, which can change considerably which varies based on your nationality 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. Your Pittsburgh, PA family immigration lawyer can help you present the requisite documents and correctly file it for your specific visa type.
Your Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania immigration attorney can assist you with understanding regulations and laws that change regularly and clarify confusing paperwork. They understand the tight application timeline and can help you or your family members prepare for visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you can shorten potential delays, enjoy a more streamlined process, and improve your family's chances to achieve the desired outcome.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Pittsburgh, PA: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When you or a family member is applying for a family preference green card, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Pittsburgh, PA. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and many of our team members are immigrants or have immigrant family members themselves. Our team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We’re here to help with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee future outcomes.