Do you need legal help with immigration in the United States? A family-based petition immigration lawyer can help you.
An immigration lawyer in Pennsylvania can help you get a green card, process your immigration application, and walk you through the entire process. Here at Kitay Law Offices, we understand how sensitive and important this is for your family.
For instance, many people immigrate to the United States for more opportunities and a better life. However, the application process to become a permanent resident (green card holder) or US Citizen is tedious. It requires a great attention to detail. Therefore, it is important to hire an immigration lawyer. The experienced attorneys at Kitay Law Offices can help you complete your application. Furthermore, we can make sure the application requirements are met.
It is critical to avoid mistakes when you apply to be a permanent resident or U.S. Citizen. The immigration law process can take a lot of time when done properly, even without mistakes. Avoiding mistakes is important because you don’t want to cause unnecessary delays. Kitay Law Offices will help secure your loved ones a piece of the American Dream.
Who can apply?
A permanent resident (green card holder) or U.S. citizen can make a family-based petition. A family-based petition helps a family member get a U.S. immigrant visa, which leads to a green card or lawful permanent residence.
Family-based petitions are classified into two categories. Those categories are Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens and Family Preference Relatives.
Immediate relatives of U.S. Citizens include:
- Spouses (same or opposite-sex) of U.S. Citizens
- Their unmarried children younger than 21 years of age
- The parents of a U.S. citizen child who is at least 21 years of age
- Children who are adopted in or out of the United States.
However, it is important to note that those petitioning under the “immediate relatives of U.S. citizens” category have limitations. For example, they are limited by the number of immigrant visas (green cards) given out each year. This is something your immigration lawyer can help you navigate.
Family Preference Relatives are broken up into four categories:
- First Preference (F1): The person seeking residency must be an unmarried son or daughter of a U.S. citizen at the time the petition is filed. He or she must remain so until receiving the green card. If a beneficiary obtains a good-faith divorce during the long years of waiting for the visa, he or she will become eligible for an immigrant visa as an F1.
- Second Preference (F2): The person seeking residency must be a spouse (same-sex or opposite-sex), minor child, or an unmarried son or daughter (age 21 and above) of a permanent resident.
- Third Preference (F3): The person seeking residency is a married son or daughter of a U.S. citizen, their spouses, or their minor children.
- Fourth Preference (F4): The person seeking residency is a brother or sister of a U.S. citizen, their spouse, or their minor children. Half-brothers, half-sisters and adoptive siblings are also eligible under this category.
The family preference category is subject to annual quotas for visas from each country. The county of origin where the person seeking U.S. residency was born determines the visa quota. For some countries, the waiting period is short; in others, the wait can span decades.
For more information about immigration law, you should speak with an immigration lawyer in Pennsylvania. You can always speak with the experienced attorneys at Kitay Law Offices by calling 888-KITAYLAW or contacting us here.
