Smicksburg, PA Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Family Preference Green Card for authorizes specified family members of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to themselves become permanent residents in Smicksburg, PA and the rest of the U.S. With U.S. citizens, family members that can come to the U.S. with this category of green card include minor and adult 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 spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
Family preference green cards do not have the same process as green cards meant for immediate family, which are meant for parents, spouses, and minor children of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney near you in Smicksburg, PA can assist your family in determining the right green card category to pursue, reconnecting you with your family so you can establish or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Smicksburg, PA?
To begin, the Smicksburg, PA family member who is a US citizen or permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. This form helps demonstrate the family relation needed for sponsorship. As soon as that form is approved, the family member who is not in the United States are required to wait for visas to become available based on their application date and the current visa limits imposed by law. If the applying relative is already in the United States legally, they can apply for their status to be adjusted through forms that include the I-485.
Each category of eligible relative falls into a category of preference, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. For example, First Preference, or F1, is designated for unmarried children who are 21 or older of United States citizens. Only 23,400 family preference green cards are allocated to F1 out of 226,000 total each year. Smicksburg, PA applicants often wait for years or in many instances, decades for family-sponsored green cards to become available.
Why Hire a Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Smicksburg, PA?
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and hard work and in-depth expertise. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can fluctuate substantially depending on the country you’re immigrating from and which preference category you belong to. With that being said, there are reports of more than fifteen-year waits for F4, or sibling, visas. If you're facing the potential of such a long wait, you must apply as early as possible and with accurate information. Smicksburg, PA family immigration attorneys can help you present the requisite documents and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
Your Smicksburg, Pennsylvania immigration attorney can help you understand the regulations and laws that change regularly and clarify confusing paperwork. They have a grasp of application timetables and can coach you or your family members prior to visa interviews. When you have a strong legal team working with you and your family, you can shorten potential delays, benefit from a smoother experience, and improve your family's chances to achieve the desired outcome.
Why Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers As Your Smicksburg, PA Family Immigration Lawyer
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Smicksburg, PA. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have family members who immigrated here. Our team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers can help your family navigate the legal immigration process and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We're eager to assist 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.