Services
Employment-Based Nonimmigrant Visas
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The H-1B visa is for a worker in a “specialty occupation” (i.e. engineers, accountants, architects, etc.). Each year, USCIS issues 85,000 H-1B visas through a computer-generated lottery. An H-1B visa may be granted for up to six years and under certain circumstances may be extended further. An H-1B worker may change employers once the new employer’s petition is pending with the United States Citizen and Immigration Service (USCIS).
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The O-1 visa is for the individual who possesses extraordinary ability in the arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics and individuals of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry, and who has been recognized nationally and internationally for those achievements.
There are no annual limits on the number of people who can receive O visas. O visas are granted for the length of time necessary for a particular event, up to a maximum of three years, with unlimited extensions in one-year increments. The O visa holder may travel in and out of the U.S. or stay for as long as the visa status is valid.
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The E-1 visa allows a national from a treaty country to be admitted to the U.S. to engage in international trade. A treaty country is a country with which the United States maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation. Items of trade include, but are not limited to, goods, services, international banking, insurance, transportation, tourism, technology and its transfer and some news-gathering activities.
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The E-2 visa allows a national to work within the U.S. based on a substantial investment in a U.S. business. The national must be from a treaty country with which the U.S. maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation. The investment must be capital, including funds and/or other assets, at risk to generate profit. The capital must be subject to partial or total loss if the investment fails.
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The E-3 visa is only for nationals of Australia. Similar to the H-1B, the E-3 is for those in a “Specialty Occupation.” The visa is issued in two-year increments and may be renewed indefinitely.
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The L-1 visa is designed for multinational companies to transfer executives, managers and employees who possess specialized knowledge in a company, from an affiliated foreign office to its offices in the U.S. The visa allows a foreign company without an affiliated U.S. office to send an executive or manager to open a new office within the U.S.
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The Exchange Visitor Visa (J-1) is a nonimmigrant visa for those who intend to participate in an approved program for the purpose of teaching, instructing or lecturing, studying, observing, conducting research, consulting, demonstrating special skills, or receiving training or graduate medical education. All applicants must meet eligibility criteria, English language requirements, and be sponsored either by a university, private sector or government program. The duration of stay varies depending on the specific J-1 category in which the person was admitted into the United States.
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Media visas are for representatives of the foreign media including members of the press, radio, film or other foreign information media. Occupations include reporters, film crews, editors and similar occupations.
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An R-1 visa is designed for those coming to the U.S. temporarily to be employed as a minister or in another religious occupation by a religious organization. The religious institution must be a registered non-profit organization in the U.S or authorized for the use of a group tax exemption.
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The TN visa is only for nationals of Mexico and Canada. Similar to the H-1B visa, the TN visa is for those with job offers for positions that require professionals, including accountants, engineers, lawyers, pharmacists, scientist and other positions.
Employment-Based Permanent Residency
There are five categories in which a foreign national may obtain lawful permanent residency through employment.
EB-1 is for those who have an extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics. It is also for professors and researchers and multinational managers and executives.
EB-2 is for those who hold advance degrees or who have exceptional abilities which serves the U.S interest.
EB-3 is for skilled workers, professionals or other workers.
EB-4 is for religious workers and special immigrant juveniles.
EB-5 is for immigrant investors.
We specialize in guiding individuals, families and employers to navigate the U.S. Immigration system.
Green Cards for Family Members
Certain relatives of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents may become lawful permanent residents of the U.S. There are several categories reserved for certain family members depending on their age and relationship to the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
Family members with certain criminal convictions, time spent within the U.S. illegally, or who have entered the U.S. illegally should consult with an attorney to determine whether their green card must be filled with a waiver.
Naturalization
Naturalization is the process of obtaining U.S. citizenship after fulfilling five years of legal permanent residency. If legal permanent residency was obtained through marriage, naturalization may be obtained after three years.
Applicants must prove they have maintained continuous residence in the U.S. for at least five years; must have been physically present in the U.S. for at least half that period; must have resided continuously in the same state for at least three months prior to filing the application; and must be a person of good moral character for the entire five-year period.
Waivers
Everyone who applies for an immigrant or nonimmigrant visa will be checked as to whether he or she is inadmissible. Reasons people are found to be inadmissible include but are not limited to individuals with certain criminal convictions, drug use, prior immigration violations, time spent illegally in the U.S. or those who have certain medical conditions. The U.S. government may pardon an individual who is found to be inadmissible through an application referred to as a “waiver.”