We represent a diverse client base, which includes individuals, foreign students, professionals, investors, families, small and large businesses, and international corporations, and have developed expertise and experience in the following areas of immigration law:
Business and Employment
-
Treaty Traders (E-1) - Treaty Investor traders if they belong to the
list of countries that qualify may obtain a visa if they can establish they
will be involved in import of trade and or services with their home country. It
is important to consult the list of treaty countries found at the following
link: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/reciprocity/reciprocity_3726.shtml
-
Treaty Investors (E-2) - Treaty Investors may seek a non-immigrant visa
which may be renewed indefinitely at two year intervals. The treaty investor
must show a substantial investment in his business, business plan,
incorporation, list of clients and other essential elements in support of this
petition. E-2 treaty investors often are able to file this petition where they
cannot meet the filing requirements for an H-1B visa petition. Please consult
the list of treaty countries to see if you qualify:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/reciprocity/reciprocity_3726.shtml
-
Work Visa (H-1B) - The H-1B work visa provides opportunities for persons
with a bachelor’s degree or experience in a specialty occupation to be
petitioned by a U.S. employer. The H-1B filing period begins on April 1st of
each year for individuals who may begin work on October 1st of that same year.
The filing period can close within days or weeks depending on economic
conditions and the number of companies filing petitions. H-1B visa holders
should consult an attorney as they consider change of employer, filing of
extensions, and limits on the number of years they can maintain H-1B status.
-
Temporary Workers (H-2) - The H2B working visa is a nonimmigrant visa
which allows foreign nationals to enter into the U.S. temporarily and engage in
nonagricultural employment which is seasonal, intermittent, a peak load need,
or a one-time occurrence. This visa is also used for entertainers going on a
tour, for film workers or professional minor league players
-
Exchange Visitors (J-1) - Many persons enter the U.S. on J-1 visas for a
temporary purpose. There are multiple issues that arise for J-1 visa holders
who wish to change status to another visa category. J-1 visa holders may or may
not be required to obtain a waiver for this change of status depending on the
terms and conditions of their original visa.
-
Executives / Managers (L-1) - Executives and managers (L1A) or persons
with specialized knowledge (L1B) with one year’s experience working for a
parent company overseas may be petitioned by the U.S. subsidiary for work in
the United States. Special attention should be paid to these L-1A visa
recipients who are qualified to apply for legal permanent resident status as
USCIS. These applicants will require significant evidence in support of this
visa which is often more demanding than the original L-1 Visa filing
requirements.
-
Extraordinary Ability (O and P Visas) - Athletes and performers may seek
entrance to the U.S. through O or P visas depending on their level of
competition, awards and public recognition of their achievements and other
factors.
-
Medical Healthcare Workers (Examples in nurses and physical therapists) -
Nurses and Physical therapists can qualify for exceptions from the Labor
Certification process. The filing requirements are complex and require
consultation with a qualified attorney to determine if you are eligible and the
length of time required for your visa category to become current.
-
PERM Labor Certification - Labor Certification takes place through
applications filed with the Department of Labor to determine whether qualified
U.S. Citizen workers are available to work in your job category and whether the
terms of employment would adversely affect wages for U.S. workers. Consultation
is required to determine the applicable job category and wage requirements can
be met by the petitioning employer. Nature of the position and applicable job
experience will govern placement in the EB-2 or EB-3 categories which in turn
will govern whether a visa number will be available for filing for legal
permanent residency.
-
Religious Workers (R-1) - A non immigrant visa available to Ministers,
professional persons working in a religious vocation or occupation or members
of a religious denomination working for their church. This visa is granted for
up to three years with one two year extension available for a total of 5 years
stay in the United States.
-
TN trade under NAFTA -TN visas are available to citizens of Canada and
Mexico under the North American Free Trade Act or NAFTA. Individuals must have
the equivalent of a four year undergraduate degree and be employed as a
professional. Applicants may enter the U.S. on a temporary basis for work while
providing proof of their intent to return to their home country.