Charlottesville, VA Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Family Preference Green Card for authorizes specific relatives of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to be granted permanent residence in Charlottesville, VA and the rest of the U.S. For U.S. citizens, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. with this category of green card include spouses, children and siblings (if the citizen is 21 years or older). With lawful permanent U.S. residents, eligible family members for this type of green card include unmarried children no matter what age, and spouses.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference have a different path from green cards for immediate family members, which are meant for parents, spouses, and minor children of U.S. citizens. Family green card attorneys in Charlottesville, VA can help your family decide the correct type of green card category, helping you unite with your family to establish or advance your lives together in the U.S.
Family-Based Green Cards: How Do They Work in Charlottesville, VA?
To start, the family member in Charlottesville, VA who is a US citizen or permanent resident must file Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. The form demonstrates the connection needed for sponsorship. Next, after USCIS approves the petition, the family member outside the United States must wait for visas to become accessible depending on when they applied and the yearly visa caps that Congress imposed. If the applying relative is already in the United States legally, they can request a status adjustment through forms that include the I-485.
Every eligible kind of family member has a defined preference categorization, which each have their own annual limits. As an example, F1, or First Preference, is for the unmarried, over 21-year-old children of United States citizens. F1 is allocated 23,400 of 226,000 available yearly family preference green cards. Many Charlottesville, VA applicants end up waiting for years or even decades for family-sponsored green cards to become available.
Why Hire a Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Charlottesville, VA?
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires hard work and in-depth expertise. 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 your assigned preference category. However, some have reported fifteen-year or more wait for an F4 (sibling) visa. With that kind of waiting period, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with accurate information. A family immigration attorney in Charlottesville, VA can help you with the documentation and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
Immigration lawyers in Charlottesville, VA can assist you in complying with laws and regulations that change constantly and comprehend intricate documentation. They know the application’s schedules and can coach you or your family members prior to visa interviews. When you have a strong legal team working with you and your family, you can reduce wait times, enjoy a more streamlined process, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Charlottesville, VA: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When you or a family member decides to pursue a family-based green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Charlottesville, VA. Our founder moved to the United States as an immigrant, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our multilingual, multicultural team of attorneys will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We’re here to help with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Start today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee future outcomes.