Family-Based Green Card Attorneys in Elk Creek, VA
A Family Preference Green Card for authorizes specific relatives of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to become permanent residents of Elk Creek, VA, and the United States in general. With U.S. citizens, the relatives they can bring to the U.S. with this category of green card include minor and adult children, spouses and siblings (providing that the citizen is over 21). If someone is a lawful permanent resident, relatives who could qualify for this type of green card include unmarried children and spouses.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference are different in application from immediate family member green cards, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. Your Elk Creek, VA family green card lawyer can help your family decide the right green card category to pursue, helping your family to reconnect and create or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Elk Creek, VA?
To begin, the Elk Creek, VA family member who is either a United States citizen or permanent resident files Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form helps demonstrate the family relation required for sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member outside the United States must wait for visas to become accessible based on their application date and the annual visa limits that Congress authorized. If the family member is legally in the United States, they can request a status adjustment with various forms including I-485.
Each category of eligible relative has a defined preference categorization, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. First Preference, or F1, for example is for the unmarried, over 21-year-old children of United States citizens. Only 23,400 family preference green cards are allocated to F1 out of 226,000 total each year. Many Elk Creek, 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 Elk Creek, VA?
The United States immigration procedure is time-consuming and necessitates significant efforts and particular know-how. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can change considerably depending on the country you’re immigrating from 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 the utmost accuracy. Your Elk Creek, VA family immigration lawyer can assist with all the required paperwork and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
Immigration lawyers in Elk Creek, VA can also help you navigate ever-changing laws and regulations and comprehend intricate documentation. They know the application’s schedules and can help you or your family members prepare for visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you can shorten potential delays, undergo a more seamless process, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Elk Creek, 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 Elk Creek, VA. Our founder relocated to the United States as an immigrant, and numerous members of our team are immigrants or have close family who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual team can help your family navigate the legal immigration process and experience some of the industry's highest rates of success.* We're ready to assist with all of your immigration requirements. Start working with Weinstock Immigration Lawyers today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.