Middlebury, VT Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Family Preference Green Card for authorizes certain relatives of United States citizens and permanent residents to become permanent residents of Middlebury, VT, and the entire United States. For U.S. citizens, family members that can be brought to the U.S. with this green card include children, spouses and siblings (as long as the citizen is at least 21). For those who are lawful permanent residents, relatives who could qualify for this type of green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference do not have the same process as green cards meant for immediate family, which are designated for a U.S. citizen's parents, spouses, and minor children. A family green card attorney near you in Middlebury, VT can assist your family in determining the right green card category to pursue, helping your family to reconnect and begin or advance your lives together in the U.S.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Middlebury, VT?
To get started, the family member located in Middlebury, VT who is a lawful permanent resident or a U.S. citizen must file Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. This form helps demonstrate the family relation that qualifies for the sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member who is out of the country must remain waiting until visas are obtainable depending on when they applied and the annual visa limits that Congress authorized. If the applying relative is already in the United States legally, they can request a status adjustment with various forms including I-485.
Every eligible kind of family member is given preference classification, 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. 23,400 family preference green cards are appropriated for F1 applicants yearly, out of 226,000 available. Often, Middlebury, VT applicants have to wait for years or in some cases, even decades for family preference green cards to be available.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Middlebury, VT
The United States immigration procedure is time-consuming and necessitates substantial work and legal understanding. The USCIS does not disclose estimated processing times for family-based petitions, which can fluctuate substantially depending on your country of origin and your designated preference category. However, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. With that kind of waiting period, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with complete accuracy. Family immigration lawyers near you in Middlebury, VT can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
Your Middlebury, Vermont immigration attorney can also help you navigate regulations and laws that change regularly and interpret complex documentation. They have a grasp of application timetables and can help you or your family members prepare for visa interviews. With knowledgeable legal professionals in your corner, you can reduce wait times, experience a smoother application, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Middlebury, VT: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When you or a family member is applying for a family preference green card, choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Middlebury, VT. Our founder immigrated to the U.S. herself, 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 experience some of the industry's highest rates of success.* We’re here to help with your and your family's immigration necessities. Start today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.