Susquehanna, PA Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card permits certain relatives of permanent residents and U.S. citizens to themselves become permanent residents in Susquehanna, PA and the United States in general. If someone is a U.S. citizen, family members that can come to the U.S. with this type of green card include minor and adult children, spouses and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). With lawful permanent U.S. residents, relatives who could qualify for this type of green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Family preference green cards do not have the same process as green cards meant for immediate family, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. Your Susquehanna, PA family green card lawyer can help you determine the correct type of green card category, reconnecting you with your family so you can create or advance your lives together in the U.S.
How Do Susquehanna, PA Family-Based Green Cards Work?
To begin, the Susquehanna, PA family member who is a US citizen or permanent resident must file Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection necessary for the sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member who is not in the United States must remain waiting until visas are obtainable based on the date they apply and the annual visa quotas authorized by Congress. If the applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can request a status adjustment by filing forms including I-485.
Each category of eligible relative is assigned a preference category, which all have individual annual caps. First Preference, or F1, for example is for over 21-year-old, unmarried children of U.S. citizens. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. Many Susquehanna, PA applicants end up waiting for years or in many instances, decades for a family-sponsored green card to come.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in Susquehanna, PA?
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and consistent effort and legal understanding. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can change considerably which varies based on your nationality and your designated preference category. However, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. When you face this kind of potential delay, it's critical that you file as soon as you can and with complete accuracy. Susquehanna, PA family immigration attorneys can help you with the documentation and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
Your Susquehanna, Pennsylvania immigration attorney can assist you in complying with constantly changing laws and regulations and comprehend intricate documentation. They understand the application timelines and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you can shorten potential delays, benefit from a smoother experience, and boost your likelihood of success.
Why Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers As Your Susquehanna, PA Family Immigration Lawyer
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Susquehanna, PA. Our founder relocated to the United States as an immigrant, and many of our team members are immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual attorneys will assist your family through the legal immigration system and experience some of the industry's highest rates of success.* We’re here to help with all of your immigration requirements. Start working with Weinstock Immigration Lawyers today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.