Permanent Residency Lawyers Near Me

Permanent residency in the United States is the status that allows an immigrant to live and work legally in the country. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), there are different categories of permanent residency: 

• For family members of U.S. citizens.
• For family members of permanent residents of the United States.
• For immigrants through employment.
• For special immigrants, this type of residency applies to religious workers, representatives of international media, and workers of an international organization.
• Through the application for asylum or refuge.
• For victims of human trafficking or abuse.
• If you are an immigrant investor willing to create more than 10 jobs and make an investment of $500,000 or $1 million in a new commercial enterprise in the United States.

The requirements to apply for permanent residency in the United States depend on the personal situation for which the application is made.

A U.S. citizen can petition for their immediate family members (spouse, unmarried children under 21, and parents). They will have priority and may be able to obtain an immigrant visa immediately.

Other relatives of U.S. citizens may also apply for permanent residence, taking into account the following preference categories:

• Sons or daughters (unmarried, over 21 years of age) of U.S. citizens. (First preference, F1)
• Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens. (Third preference, F3)
• Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens, if the U.S. citizen is over 21 years of age. (Fourth preference, F4)

If you are applying for permanent residency because you are a family member of a permanent resident, you must take into account the preferences that have been defined for granting it:

• Spouses and children (unmarried, under 21 years of age) of lawful permanent residents. (Second preference, F2A)
• Sons and daughters (unmarried, over 21 years of age) of legal permanent residents. (Second preference, F2B)

For employment-based permanent residency applications, it’s important to consider your immigration category, your level of education, and your years of experience. We recommend reviewing the USCIS preferences for employment-based permanent residency applications or consulting with our permanent residency attorneys for expert advice.

Permanent residents of the United States can petition immigration authorities to grant their children or immediate relatives permanent resident status, giving them the right to live legally in the country. Before beginning the petition process, you should be aware that, according to immigration law, the petition can be filed for:

• Spouse of a legal permanent resident.
• Unmarried son/daughter, under 21 years of age, of a legal permanent resident.
• Unmarried son/daughter, over 21 years of age, of a legal permanent resident.

To apply for permanent residency for your family members and begin the family reunification process, you must have the following documents:

• Complete form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative)
• Document proving that the person making the request is a permanent resident.
• Documents proving kinship. In the case of children: birth certificate; or of spouse: marriage certificate.

After submitting these documents, your request will be sent to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC is responsible for initiating the process at the consulate in the beneficiary family member’s country of origin. The consulate must wait for visas to become available before assigning one to your family member. Once the visa number is received, the application process begins at the assigned consulate.

The processing time for permanent residency applications and approval can vary depending on the type of residency being sought, the demand for available visas, and the applicant’s preference category. The state where the application is filed and the number of applications submitted each year are also factors to consider.

For permanent family-based residences, the average timeframes are as follows:

• For immediate family members of a U.S. citizen (spouse, child under 21 years of age and parents) The waiting period is estimated to be between 6 and 8 months.
• For a petition for a child over 21 years of age, by a U.S. citizen, the average time is 30 months.
• For a petition for a spouse or child under 21 years of age, by a permanent resident, the estimated time is between 20 and 25 months.
• For a petition for an unmarried son or daughter over the age of 21, by a permanent resident, the time could be between 50 and 60 months.

After your sponsor or petitioner files Form I-130, you should receive approval of your petition from USCIS. They will inform you if visas are available in your visa category. At this point in the process, you will need to file an application for a permanent resident card (Form I-485). Following this, you will be scheduled for biometric data collection, including fingerprinting, photographs, and signature. Finally, you will be scheduled for a personal interview. After completing this process, you will receive a decision on your application.

To track the status of your residency application throughout the process, we recommend creating an account on the USCIS website. To do this, register in the “Online Case Status” section and use the receipt number from your Form I-485. This will allow you to receive updates on your case.

The Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) is valid for 10 years. Therefore, you must renew it at least six (6) months before it expires. To apply for renewal, you must file Form I-90 with USCIS. This application can be submitted online or by mail. If your application is approved, you will be sent a new Permanent Resident Card valid for 10 years.

If you need to replace your permanent resident card, you should consider the reasons why renewal is valid. According to USCIS, you must renew your permanent resident card if: 

• Your card has been lost, stolen, or damaged.
• You have a permanent resident card that does not have an expiration date and you wish to replace it.
• If you obtained your permanent resident card before you turned 14 years old, and it will not expire before you turn 16.
• If, due to an error by USCIS, your card contains errors or incorrect data (name, date of birth, or date the card was issued).

Your permanent resident card replacement must be done using form I-90.

The filing fee for Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)) is $455. Additionally, there is an $85 biometric services fee, bringing the total cost to $540.

The total cost of obtaining permanent residency through marriage is approximately $1,960. This fee is calculated taking into account the following costs:

• Filing of Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative): $535.
• Filing of Form I-485 (Application for Registration of Permanent Residence or Adjustment of Status): $1,140.
• Biometric services (fingerprints and photography): $85.
• Medical exam: $200 dollars.

Only a U.S. citizen over the age of 21 can petition for their parents to live and work legally in the United States. Once the petition is approved, the parent of the citizen will receive a permanent resident card (Green Card). There is no annual limit on the number of visas this petition can issue, and the processing time ranges from six (6) to eight (8) months.

Permanent resident cards (Green Cards) are valid for 10 years and must be renewed at least six months before their expiration date. If you forgot to renew yours and you are in the United States, there is no problem in applying for a renewal. You must submit Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)), attend biometric services, and you will receive your new Green Card.

We recommend checking the expiration date of your resident card before traveling abroad, as immigration officials will not allow you entry with an expired card. If this happens, it is important to begin the renewal process immediately at the consulate or embassy of the country you are in, because if you remain outside the country for an extended period, you could face the possibility of losing your resident status.

Once you obtain your residency, you will have certain rights and privileges that will most likely improve your quality of life. As immigration attorneys, we specialize in permanent residency processes in the United States, so we have the experience and knowledge to tell you about the main benefits and opportunities available to permanent residents:

• Permanent residency will allow you to live indefinitely in the country;
• It will grant you the right to work legally under the protection of the labor laws of the state in which you are located;
• You will have the freedom to move freely within the country, as well as live and work in the state of your choice, depending on your interests and needs;
• Likewise, you will have access to social, medical and educational benefits, as long as you meet the requirements set by the state where you live.
• You can apply for a driver’s license issued by the state in which you live;
• Permanent residency also gives you the possibility of reuniting with your immediate family members in the United States and giving them the option of becoming residents.
• After meeting certain time and residency requirements in the country, you can become a U.S. citizen. Citizenship will give you additional rights and benefits.

If you are about to apply for permanent residency in the United States, you can count on the legal advice and support of The United Firm | La Liga Defensora APC. We have attorneys specializing in permanent residency who can help you gather the necessary documents and complete the required forms. We will assist you with immigration authorities, answer your questions, and guide you toward achieving your immigration goals. Contact us for a free initial consultation and begin your journey toward legal permanent residency.

The process of obtaining permanent residency in the United States is complex and requires careful handling. It is highly recommended to seek legal counsel from a specialist in this field, who can provide experience in these types of procedures and a thorough understanding of the immigration laws that govern them. A permanent residency attorney can be key to obtaining your residency and, with it, the opportunity to work and live legally in the country. It is important to keep in mind that the costs associated with legal services for these types of applications are not always the same, as each situation is unique, and the procedures, documents, evidence, and other materials that your attorney must obtain or process can vary. Likewise, your attorney must consider the complexity of each client’s particular immigration situation and the time required for the different phases of the process.

Given that each case is unique, The United Firm | La Liga Defensora APC offers its clients a free initial consultation. During this consultation, we can understand each client’s specific situation and evaluate the necessary steps to begin the process of obtaining permanent residency. Based on this initial analysis, we can then agree with our clients on a suitable fee that aligns with their individual circumstances and needs.

If you are looking for a reliable and professional law firm to help you with your U.S. residency application, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are committed to providing you with exceptional service and working diligently to ensure a successful immigration process. We invite you to schedule your first free consultation by calling 1-844-800-5517 or by completing the form on our website.

Obtaining a Green Card, or Permanent Resident Card, allows you to legally reside in the United States. This means you can live and work under the laws, rights, and obligations of the state where you are located. If you want to obtain a Green Card, you should know that there are certain requirements you must meet, as well as an application process you must undertake. Our immigration experts will guide you through the process to determine the best option for you. Below, we explain some of the ways you can obtain your permanent residency:

• Permanent residency through family ties: If you are a direct relative of a U.S. citizen or a Green Card holder, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency. This benefit includes:
  • The spouse, children, and parents of U.S. citizens
  • Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens, if the U.S. citizen is over 21 years of age.
  • Spouses and unmarried children of legal permanent residents.

• Employment-based permanent residence: This type of residence is granted to professionals sought by U.S. employers, including workers with extraordinary abilities, professionals with advanced degrees, religious workers, and investors, among others.
• Permanent residence through asylum or refugee status: If you were a victim of serious threats or persecution in your home country or have been admitted to the United States as a refugee, you may be eligible to obtain a Green Card.

There are other ways to apply for permanent residency or a Green Card. Our immigration attorneys can review your immigration status and provide you with the best legal options to help you achieve your goal of becoming a resident of the United States. Contact us today and let our law firm help you successfully obtain your Green Card.

As a permanent resident of the United States, you enjoy certain rights and benefits that allow you to live and work legally in the country. However, there are also responsibilities and limitations you must be aware of as a resident.

The most important responsibilities you should keep in mind when you become a permanent resident are:

• Know and comply with all federal, state, and local laws.
• Pay income taxes, whether federal, state, or local.
• Enroll in the Selective Service (United States Armed Forces), if you are male and between 18 and 26 years of age.
• Always carry your document (Green Card) that identifies you as a permanent resident.

Some limitations of the Green Card are:

• You can travel outside the country for a period of less than six months and use your Green Card to re-enter. However, if you leave the country for a period longer than six months, you will need to apply for special permission to do so.
• You will not be able to exercise your right to vote. This right is reserved exclusively for U.S. citizens.
• Additionally, you could lose your permanent residency if you are found guilty of fraud or a serious crime.

If you have questions or need legal advice regarding permanent residency, you can contact The United Firm | La Liga Defensora APC. We have professionals specializing in permanent residency who will guide you on your rights, responsibilities, and limitations as a resident. We can also assist you if you are at risk of losing your residency. Contact us to schedule a free initial legal consultation, where we will answer your questions and provide you with expert advice.

Family-based permanent residency is a benefit granted to the immediate family members of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Here’s which family members can apply for a family-based permanent residency visa:

• The spouse or parent of a U.S. citizen;
• The sons and daughters of U.S. citizens;
• Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens, if the latter is over 21 years of age;
• Spouses of permanent residents;
• The unmarried sons and daughters of permanent residents;

If you are interested in obtaining family-based permanent residency, The United Firm | La Liga Defensora APC can help. We have the experience and expertise to gather the required documentation, complete the forms, and submit applications correctly. Contact us for timely and qualified legal guidance.