Kenova, WV Family-Based Green Card Attorneys
A Family Preference Green Card permits specified family members of permanent residents and U.S. citizens to themselves become permanent residents in Kenova, WV and the rest of the U.S. With U.S. citizens, family members that can come to the U.S. with this category of green card include spouses, children (whether single or married) and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). With lawful permanent U.S. residents, the relatives eligible for this green card include unmarried children and spouses.
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. Family green card attorneys in Kenova, WV can help your family decide the correct type of green card category, helping your family to reconnect and create and grow your lives together in the United States.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Kenova, WV?
To start, the family member in Kenova, WV who is either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident files Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection needed for sponsorship. When USCIS later approves the petition, the family member who lives abroad must wait for visas to become accessible based on the date they apply and the annual visa limits that Congress authorized. If the applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can apply for their status to be adjusted through form I-485 and others.
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 over 21-year-old, unmarried children of U.S. citizens. F1 is allocated only 23,400 of 226,000 family preference green cards each year. It's common for Kenova, WV applicants to wait for many years or in some cases, even decades for family-sponsored green cards to become available.
Why Hire a Family-Based Immigration Attorney in Kenova, WV?
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires hard work and in-depth expertise. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can vary significantly depending on the country you’re immigrating from and which preference category you belong to. However, there are many reports of fifteen-year or greater waits for sibling, or F4, visas. When you face this kind of potential delay, it's imperative that you apply as soon as possible and with all of your correct data . Your Kenova, WV family immigration lawyer can help prepare all the necessary paperwork and help ensure that it is properly filed for your desired visa.
An immigration attorney in Kenova, WV can assist you in complying with constantly changing laws and regulations and interpret complex documentation. They understand the application timelines and can coach you or your family members prior to visa interviews. With experienced legal representation on your side, you may be able to get the visa much quicker, experience a smoother application, and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Kenova, WV: Your Family Immigration Attorney
When applying for a family-based green card, choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Kenova, WV. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and many of our team members are immigrants or have close family who are immigrants. Our multilingual, multicultural team of attorneys will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure and experience some of the industry's highest rates of success.* We're ready to assist 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.