Norfolk, VA Lawyers for Family-Based Green Cards
A Green Card for Family Immigrants enables specific relatives of United States citizens and permanent residents to become permanent residents of Norfolk, VA, and the entire United States. If someone is a U.S. citizen, family members that can be brought to the U.S. with this category of green card include spouses, children (whether single or married) and siblings (providing that the citizen is over 21). For lawful permanent residents, the family members who may qualify for this green card include unmarried children and spouses.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference have a different path from green cards for immediate family members, which are designated for a U.S. citizen's parents, spouses, and minor children. A family green card attorney in Norfolk, VA can help your family decide the right green card category to pursue, helping your family to reconnect and create or advance your lives together in the U.S.
Family-Based Green Cards: How Do They Work in Norfolk, VA?
To start, the family member in Norfolk, VA who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident has to file Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form proves the family relationship necessary 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 depending on when they applied and the annual visa limits that Congress authorized. If the applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can request for their immigration 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. F1, for example, which is First Preference, 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. Often, Norfolk, VA applicants have to wait for years or in some cases, even decades for family preference green cards to be available.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in Norfolk, VA?
The legal immigration process takes a lot of time and substantial work and in-depth expertise. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can change considerably which varies based on your nationality and your preference category. With that being said, there are reports of more than fifteen-year waits for F4, or sibling, visas. When you face this kind of potential delay, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with complete accuracy. Family immigration lawyers near you in Norfolk, VA can assist with all the required paperwork and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
Your Norfolk, Virginia immigration attorney can assist you with understanding ever-changing laws and regulations and interpret complex documentation. They know the application’s schedules and can assist you and your family members in getting ready for visa interviews. With knowledgeable legal professionals in your corner, you can minimize delays, benefit from a smoother experience, and improve your family's chances to achieve the desired outcome.
Why Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers As Your Norfolk, VA Family Immigration Lawyer
When you or a family member is applying for a family preference green card, pick Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Norfolk, VA. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and numerous members of our team are immigrants or have close family who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual attorneys can guide your family through the immigration procedures and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We're ready to assist with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not guarantee future outcomes.