South Burlington, VT Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Green Card for Family Immigrants enables particular family members of people who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents to become permanent residents of South Burlington, VT, and the rest of the U.S. For those who are U.S. citizens, family members that can be brought to the U.S. with this category of green card include children, spouses and siblings (if the citizen is 21 years or older). With lawful permanent U.S. residents, the family members who may qualify for this green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Green Cards for Family Preference Immigrants are different in application from immediate family member green cards, which are meant for parents, spouses, and minor children of U.S. citizens. Family green card attorneys in South Burlington, VT can help you determine the right green card category to pursue, helping you unite with your family to begin or advance your lives together in the U.S.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in South Burlington, VT?
To start, the family member in South Burlington, VT who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, called a Petition for Alien Relative. This form proves the family relationship necessary for the sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member outside the United States are required to wait for visas to become available based on the date they apply and the yearly visa caps that Congress imposed. If the family member is legally in the United States, they can request a status adjustment through form I-485 and others.
Each category of eligible relative is assigned a preference category, which all have individual annual caps. As an example, F1, or 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 South Burlington, VT applicants to wait for many years and, in some cases, decades for a family-sponsored green card to come.
Should You Hire a Family Immigration Attorney in South Burlington, VT?
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and substantial work and legal knowledge. The USCIS does not disclose estimated processing times for family-based petitions, which can fluctuate substantially depending on the country you’re immigrating from and which preference category you belong to. However, some F4 (sibling) visa applicants have reported waits of more than fifteen years. With that kind of waiting period, it's critical that you file as soon as you can and with complete accuracy. A family immigration attorney in South Burlington, VT can help you present the requisite documents and correctly file it for your specific visa type.
Immigration lawyers in South Burlington, VT can help you understand the regulations and laws that change regularly and interpret complex documentation. They have a grasp of application timetables and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. With knowledgeable legal professionals in your corner, you can reduce wait times, benefit from a smoother experience, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Why Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers As Your South Burlington, VT 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 South Burlington, VT. Our founder relocated to the United States as an immigrant, and a large number of our team members are also immigrants or have close family who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual team can help your family navigate the legal immigration process as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* We’re here to help with your and your family member's immigration needs. Start today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.