Seneca, PA Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card permits certain relatives of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to gain permanent residency in Seneca, 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 spouses, children (whether single or married) and siblings (as long as the citizen is at least 21). If someone is a lawful permanent resident, the relatives eligible for this green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Green Cards for Family Preference Immigrants differ in process from immediate family green cards, which are for spouses, parents, and minor children of U.S. citizens. Family green card attorneys in Seneca, PA can assist your family in determining the most fitting category of green card, helping you unite with your family to establish or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Seneca, PA?
To get started, the family member located in Seneca, PA who is a US citizen or permanent resident files Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection required for sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member outside the United States has to stand by for visas to be available depending on when they applied and the annual visa limits that Congress authorized. If the applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can request a status adjustment through form I-485 and others.
Every relative type who is eligible has a defined preference categorization, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. First Preference, or F1, for example is for the unmarried, over 21-year-old children 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 Seneca, PA applicants to wait for many years and, in some cases, decades for family preference green cards to be available.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in Seneca, PA?
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and consistent effort and legal understanding. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can change considerably depending on your country of origin and your designated preference category. With that being said, there are reports of more than fifteen-year waits for F4, or sibling, visas. With this kind of potential wait, you must apply as early as possible and with the utmost accuracy. Your Seneca, PA family immigration lawyer can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
Seneca, PA immigration lawyers can help you understand the ever-changing laws and regulations and interpret complex documentation. They understand the tight application timeline 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, enjoy a more streamlined process, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Seneca, 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 Seneca, PA. Our founder relocated to the United States as an immigrant, and numerous members of our team are immigrants or have family members who immigrated here. Our multicultural, multilingual team will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure and experience some of the industry's highest rates of success.* We're ready to assist with your and your family's immigration necessities. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee the same results.