Markham, VA Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Green Card for Family Preference Immigrants allows specific relatives of people who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents to become permanent residents of Markham, VA, and the entire United States. For U.S. citizens, family members that can be brought to the U.S. under this type of green card include minor and adult children, spouses and siblings (if the citizen is 21 years or older). 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.
Family preference permanent resident 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. Family green card attorneys in Markham, VA can assist your family in determining the correct type of green card category, helping your family to reconnect and create or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Markham, VA?
To start, the family member in Markham, VA who is either a United States citizen or permanent resident must file Form I-130, called a 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 the date they apply and the current visa limits imposed by law. If the applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can request a status adjustment with various forms including I-485.
Each category of eligible relative falls into a category of preference, 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. Only 23,400 family preference green cards are allocated to F1 out of 226,000 total each year. Often, Markham, VA applicants have to wait for years or in some cases, even decades for family preference green cards to be available.
The Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Green Card Lawyer in Markham, VA
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires consistent effort and in-depth expertise. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can differ 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. With that kind of waiting period, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with complete accuracy. Markham, VA family immigration attorneys can help you present the requisite documents and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
Immigration lawyers in Markham, VA can help you understand the regulations and laws that change regularly and clarify confusing paperwork. They understand the application timelines and can help you or your family members prepare for visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you can shorten potential delays, benefit from a smoother experience, and improve your family's chances to achieve the desired outcome.
Why Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers As Your Markham, VA Family Immigration Lawyer
When you or a family member is applying for a family preference green card, choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Markham, 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 multicultural, multilingual attorneys can help your family navigate the legal immigration process and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We're eager to assist with all of your immigration requirements. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee the same results.