Arlington, VA Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Family Preference Green Card permits certain relatives of people who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents to themselves become permanent residents in Arlington, VA and all of the United States. If someone is a U.S. citizen, family members that can come to the U.S. with this type of green card include spouses, children (whether single or married) and siblings (as long as the citizen is at least 21). With lawful permanent U.S. residents, eligible family members for this type of green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Family preference permanent resident cards have a different path from green cards for immediate family members, which are for spouses, parents, and minor children of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney in Arlington, VA can help you to decide the correct type of green card category, helping you reunite with your family and create and continue your life together in the United States.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Arlington, VA?
To begin, the Arlington, VA family member who is a US citizen or permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, called a Petition for Alien Relative. The form demonstrates the connection necessary for the sponsorship. As soon as that form is approved, the family member who is out of the country are required to wait for visas to become available based on the date they apply and the current visa limits imposed by law. If the relative is legally in the U.S. already, they can request a status adjustment with various forms including I-485.
Every relative type who is eligible is given preference classification, which all have individual annual caps. F1, for example, which is First Preference, is for over 21-year-old, unmarried children of U.S. citizens. Only 23,400 family preference green cards are allocated to F1 out of 226,000 total each year. It's common for Arlington, VA applicants to wait for many years or in many instances, decades for family preference green cards to be available.
Why Hire a Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Arlington, VA?
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and substantial work and in-depth expertise. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can differ depending on the country you’re immigrating from and your assigned 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 imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with accurate information. A family immigration attorney in Arlington, VA can assist with all the required paperwork and correctly file it for your specific visa type.
Arlington, VA immigration lawyers can assist you with understanding constantly changing laws and regulations and comprehend intricate documentation. They know the application’s schedules and can assist you and your family members in getting ready for visa interviews. With knowledgeable legal professionals in your corner, you can reduce wait times, undergo a more seamless process, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Arlington, VA: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When you or a family member is applying for a family preference green card, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Arlington, VA. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and many of our team members are immigrants or have immigrant family members themselves. Our multicultural, multilingual team will assist your family through the legal immigration system and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We’re here to help with your and your family member's immigration needs. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee future outcomes.