Chester, VA Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants allows particular family members of United States citizens and permanent residents to themselves become permanent residents in Chester, VA and the rest of the U.S. If someone is a U.S. citizen, family members that can be brought to the U.S. under this type of green card include children, spouses and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). For lawful permanent residents, eligible family members for this type of green card include unmarried children no matter what age, and spouses.
Family preference green 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 near you in Chester, VA can help your family decide the correct type of green card category, helping you reunite with your family and begin or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Chester, VA?
To start, the family member in Chester, VA who is either a United States citizen or permanent resident has to file Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. This form helps demonstrate the family relation necessary for the sponsorship. As soon as that form is approved, the family member who lives abroad has to stand by for visas to be available based on their application date and the annual visa quotas authorized by Congress. If the applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can request for their immigration status to be adjusted through form I-485 and others.
Every relative type who is eligible falls into a category of preference, which each have their own annual limits. For example, First Preference, or F1, is for over 21-year-old, unmarried children of U.S. citizens. 23,400 family preference green cards are appropriated for F1 applicants yearly, out of 226,000 available. Many Chester, VA applicants end up waiting for years or in some cases, even decades for a family-sponsored green card to come.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Chester, VA
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and significant efforts and legal understanding. The USCIS does not disclose estimated processing times for family-based petitions, which can differ which varies based on your nationality and your assigned preference category. However, there are many reports of fifteen-year or greater waits for sibling, or F4, visas. When you face this kind of potential delay, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with the utmost accuracy. A family immigration attorney in Chester, VA can help you with the documentation and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
An immigration attorney in Chester, VA can also help you navigate regulations and laws that change regularly and clarify confusing paperwork. They have a grasp of application timetables and can assist you and your family members in getting ready for 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.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Chester, VA as Your Family Immigration Lawyer
When you or a family member is applying for a family preference green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Chester, VA. Our founder immigrated to the U.S. herself, and many of our team members are immigrants or have close family who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual attorneys can help your family navigate the legal immigration process as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* We're ready to assist with your and your family's immigration necessities. Start today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee future outcomes.