Family-Based Green Card Attorneys in Hot Springs, VA
A Family Preference Green Card permits specified family members of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to become permanent residents of Hot Springs, VA, and the entire United States. With U.S. citizens, family members that can come to the U.S. with this type of green card include spouses, children and siblings (if the citizen is 21 years or older). For lawful permanent residents, the relatives eligible for this green card include unmarried children and spouses.
Family preference green cards do not have the same process as green cards meant for immediate family, which are for spouses, parents, and minor children of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney near you in Hot Springs, VA can assist your family in determining the right green card category to pursue, helping you unite with your family to establish or advance your lives together in the U.S.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Hot Springs, VA?
To get started, the family member located in Hot Springs, VA who is a lawful permanent resident or a U.S. citizen needs to file Form I-130, known as a Petition for Alien Relative. This form helps demonstrate the family relation that qualifies for the sponsorship. Next, after USCIS approves the petition, the family member who is not in the United States must wait for visas to become accessible dependent on the date of submission and the annual visa limits that Congress authorized. If the relative is legally in the U.S. already, they can apply for their status to be adjusted by filing forms including I-485.
Every eligible kind of family member is given preference classification, which has a set annual cap specific to that category. As an example, F1, or First Preference, is assigned to U.S. citizens’ children who are older than 21 and unmarried. 23,400 family preference green cards are appropriated for F1 applicants yearly, out of 226,000 available. Often, Hot Springs, VA applicants have to wait for years or even decades for family preference green cards to be available.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Hot Springs, VA
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and consistent effort and in-depth expertise. The processing times for family-based petitions are not made available by the United States Citizens and Immigration Services, which can change considerably depending on the country you’re immigrating from and your designated preference category. With that being said, there are reports of more than fifteen-year waits for F4, or sibling, visas. If you're facing the potential of such a long wait, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with the utmost accuracy. Family immigration lawyers near you in Hot Springs, VA can help you present the requisite documents and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
Immigration lawyers in Hot Springs, VA can help you understand the laws and regulations that change constantly and interpret complex documentation. They understand the tight application timeline and can coach you or your family members prior to visa interviews. With experienced attorneys representing you and your family, you can shorten potential delays, benefit from a smoother experience, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Hot Springs, VA: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When applying for a family-based green card, select Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Hot Springs, VA. Our founder moved to the United States as an immigrant, and a large number of our team members are also immigrants or have family members who immigrated here. Our team of multicultural and multilingual lawyers 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 your and your family's immigration necessities. Reach out today for a case evaluation at no cost.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.