Beckley, WV Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Green Card for Family Immigrants enables certain relatives of permanent residents and U.S. citizens to become permanent residents of Beckley, WV, and all of the United States. If someone is a U.S. citizen, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. with this type of green card include minor and adult children, spouses and siblings (as long as the citizen is at least 21). With lawful permanent U.S. residents, eligible family members for this type of green card include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference do not have the same process as green cards meant for immediate family, which are designed for the parents, minor children, and spouses of U.S. citizens. Your Beckley, WV family green card lawyer can help you to decide the most fitting category of green card, helping your family to reconnect and begin and grow your lives together in the United States.
How Do Family-Based Green Cards Work in Beckley, WV?
To start, the family member in Beckley, WV who is either a United States citizen or permanent resident files Form I-130, called a Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection necessary for the sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, 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 family member is legally in the United States, they can petition for a status adjustment by filing forms including I-485.
Each eligible type of relative is assigned a preference category, all of which have annual limits. 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. Beckley, WV applicants often wait for years or even decades for family-sponsored green cards to become available.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in Beckley, WV?
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires significant efforts and legal understanding. USCIS does not currently release specific wait times for the processing of family-based petitions, which can differ which varies based on your nationality and your designated preference category. However, some have reported fifteen-year or more wait for an F4 (sibling) visa. If you're facing the potential of such a long wait, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with accurate information. Your Beckley, WV family immigration lawyer can assist with all the required paperwork and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
An immigration attorney in Beckley, WV can assist you with understanding laws and regulations that change constantly and interpret complex documentation. They have a grasp of application timetables and can coach you or your family members prior to visa interviews. With knowledgeable legal professionals in your corner, you can shorten potential delays, benefit from a smoother experience, and boost your likelihood of success.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Beckley, WV as Your Family Immigration Lawyer
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Beckley, WV. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have immediate family members who are immigrants. Our multilingual, multicultural team of attorneys will assist your family through the legal immigration system and enjoy some of the industry's highest rates of approval.* We're ready to help with all of your family's legal immigration needs. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar result.