Cobham, VA Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Family Preference Green Card permits specific relatives of people who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents to be granted permanent residence in Cobham, VA and the rest of the U.S. With U.S. citizens, the relatives they can bring 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). If someone is a lawful permanent resident, the family members who may qualify for this green card include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference are different in application from immediate family member green cards, which are meant for parents, spouses, and minor children of U.S. citizens. Your Cobham, VA family green card lawyer can help your family decide the most fitting category of green card, helping you reunite with your family and create or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Cobham, VA?
To get started, the family member located in Cobham, VA who is either a United States citizen or permanent resident needs to file Form I-130, also called the Petition for Alien Relative. This form helps demonstrate the family relation necessary for the sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member who lives abroad are required to wait for visas to become available dependent on the date of submission and the annual visa quotas authorized by Congress. If the applying relative is already in the United States legally, they can request for their immigration status to be adjusted through forms that include the I-485.
Every relative type who is eligible has a defined preference categorization, which all have individual annual caps. For example, First Preference, or F1, is designated for unmarried children who are 21 or older of United States citizens. F1 is allocated 23,400 of 226,000 available yearly family preference green cards. Many Cobham, VA applicants end up waiting for years or in some cases, even decades for family-sponsored green cards to become available.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in Cobham, VA?
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires substantial work and in-depth expertise. The USCIS does not disclose estimated processing times for family-based petitions, which can vary significantly which varies based on your nationality and your assigned preference category. With that being said, there are reports of more than fifteen-year waits for F4, or sibling, visas. With this kind of potential wait, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with accurate information. Cobham, VA family immigration attorneys can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
Immigration lawyers in Cobham, VA can help you understand the laws and regulations that change constantly and comprehend intricate documentation. They know the application’s schedules 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 shorten potential delays, enjoy a more streamlined process, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Family Immigration Attorney: Why Pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Cobham, VA
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Cobham, VA. Our founder immigrated to the U.S. herself, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our multilingual, multicultural team of attorneys can guide your family through the immigration procedures as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* We're eager to assist with your and your family's immigration necessities. Start working with Weinstock Immigration Lawyers today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee future outcomes.