Watertown, SD Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants allows certain relatives of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to gain permanent residency in Watertown, SD and all of the United States. For U.S. citizens, the relatives they can bring to the U.S. with this type of green card include children, spouses and siblings (as long as the citizen is at least 21). For those who are lawful permanent residents, the family members who may qualify for this green card include unmarried children no matter what age, and spouses.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference are different in application from immediate family member green cards, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney near you in Watertown, SD can help you to decide the appropriate category of green card to apply for, helping you unite with your family to create and grow your lives together in the United States.
How Do Watertown, SD Family-Based Green Cards Work?
To get started, the family member located in Watertown, SD who is a US citizen or permanent resident has to file Form I-130, called a Petition for Alien Relative. This form proves the family relationship needed for sponsorship. As soon as that form is approved, the family member who is not in the United States must remain waiting until visas are obtainable dependent on the date of submission and the current visa limits imposed by law. If the relative is legally in the U.S. already, they can apply for their status to be adjusted through form I-485 and others.
Each category of eligible relative has a defined preference categorization, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. F1, for example, which is First Preference, is designated for unmarried children who are 21 or older of United States citizens. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. It's common for Watertown, SD applicants to wait for many years or even decades for family-sponsored green cards to become available.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in Watertown, SD?
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and hard work and in-depth expertise. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can change considerably depending on your country of origin 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. When you face this kind of potential delay, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with all of your correct data . Your Watertown, SD family immigration lawyer can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
Immigration lawyers in Watertown, SD can also help you navigate constantly changing laws and regulations and clarify confusing paperwork. They know the application’s schedules and can help you or your family members prepare for visa interviews. With experienced attorneys representing you and your family, you can reduce wait times, experience a smoother application, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Watertown, SD: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When you or a family member decides to pursue a family-based green card, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Watertown, SD. 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 multicultural, multilingual team will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* 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.