General Blog

An L-1 visa is a visa used to enter the United States to work. It is available to employees of an international company with offices in the U.S. and abroad. L-1 visas are reserved for executives and managers and for workers with specialized knowledge. Applying For An L-1 Visa When applying for an L-1 visa, documentation must be submitted to validate the existence of a foreign company and its relationship with the U.S. company. There must also be documentation establishing that the worker is an executive or manager or a worker with specialized knowledge. L-1 Visa Denial An L-1 visa application can be denied for a number of reasons. The most common reason for a denial is that there was a problem with the provided documentation, or the overall situation…Read More

Individuals seeking visas to enter the United States must undergo an extensive application and review process. It includes submitting paperwork and undergoing an interview with a consular officer who will make the determination regarding your visa. Throughout this process, your visa can be denied for a number of different reasons. Some common reasons why your visa may be denied include: Ineligible For Visa Preference Applying for the wrong type of visa is one of the most common reasons a visa is denied. This usually happens when an individual applies for a nonimmigrant visa that contains certain restrictions. Correcting this ground of ineligibility can usually be done with the submission of additional paperwork or applying for a different type of visa. Not Enough Information Sometimes your visa may be denied because…Read More

There are hundreds of immigration law firms throughout Florida, so how do you know you’re choosing the right one? Serving Immigrants, Inc. rises above the crowd and provides you with the focused and experienced representation you need. Experience At Serving Immigrants, Inc., we’ve been working for over a decade to help immigrants with a variety of issues. We have extensive familiarity with the immigration process and have helped hundreds of clients reach their immigration goals. Knowledge of the process is the key to success when it comes to immigration issues, and we deal with the process every day. Our experience can make the process as seamless and painless as possible. Personal Touch Personalized attention and focus are important to effective representation. At Serving Immigrants, Inc., we work very closely with…Read More

Astounding numbers of people experience abuse — both emotional and physical — every day. Abuse can make anyone feel trapped and afraid, but this is especially true for immigrants who are living in the United States illegally. Many immigrants who find themselves in abusive situations feel that they cannot seek help because any authorities they might turn to would realize they don’t have legal status, and they could be deported, often to a country where they expect to endure further abuse, made even worse by conditions of poverty. Since 1994, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) has provided funds and support to initiatives with the aim of putting an end to domestic violence. It has come to protect all people in the United States, not just women, from any type…Read More

If you were the victim of a crime, you may be eligible for a U visa, which would provide you temporary nonimmigrant status in the United States. The U visa was created among growing public safety concerns and to encourage individuals who have been crime victims to cooperate with law enforcement in prosecuting criminals. If you are approved for a U visa, you will be given legal status in the U.S. with the potential for extensions. Once you have your U visa for three years, you may be able to apply for a green card. To obtain a U visa, it is not enough to simply state that you were the victim of a crime. You must provide a “certificate of helpfulness” from a government agency and show that you…Read More

O nonimmigrant visas are available for individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary abilities and would like to perform those abilities in the United States. O-1 visas allow an individual to stay in the United States for three years, and there are unlimited extensions available. There are several different categories of O visas, and it’s important to know the difference. O-1A Visas O1-A visas are reserved for individuals with extraordinary abilities in the sciences, education, business, or athletics. These individuals must demonstrate their extraordinary abilities by showing sustained national or international acclaim for their accomplishments. It indicates a level of expertise that shows an individual is one of a small percentage in their field. Individuals with an O1-A visa are coming to the United States on a temporary basis to work in…Read More

Navigating the immigration system can be a complicated matter and, while you are not required to have a lawyer, you may not want to go through the process alone. There is extensive paperwork that goes along with the immigration process, and the task can be daunting. Having an immigration lawyer on your side can help you in a number of important ways. An Immigration Lawyer Can Avoid Mistakes An important part of acquiring a visa, finalizing your marriage to an immigrant, and other immigration procedures is filling out the paperwork correctly. The paperwork involved in the immigration process is complicated and extensive. You are often tasked with filling out gathering important documentation. Without the help of an expert, it can be easy to make a mistake. One small mistake in…Read More

It’s never a good idea for a business to stand still. In order to be successful, you must move forward and expand. In some instances, you may decide that the best course of action is to expand your small business to the United States. With a wealth of talent and a diverse marketplace, the United States is a great place to expand your business. When expanding your business internationally, there are some important immigration law details to keep in mind. Appropriate Visas In order to expand your small business in the United States, you are going to need to send personnel to the country to begin the expansion. These individuals will have to establish your U.S. headquarters and get things off the ground. If you are sending over managers, executives,…Read More

Individuals who possess extraordinary abilities in the sciences, education, business, or athletics may be eligible for a non-immigrant O-1 visa if they meet certain criteria. Included among these individuals are people who possess extraordinary abilities in the arts or demonstrated a record of extraordinary achievement in television or motion pictures. Eligibility Criteria For O-1A Visas In order to be eligible for an O-1A visa, an individual with extraordinary abilities in science, education, business, and athletics must show that they have been recognized for their talents and abilities. This can be demonstrated through the receipt of an award, such as a Nobel Prize or an Olympic Medal. However, an individual doesn’t have to be the beneficiary of a major award if they can meet three of the following criteria: Receipt of…Read More

There are no limits on how many people can obtain an L-1 visa every year. L-1 visas or intracompany transferee visas allow managers, executives, and employees with “specialized knowledge” who work outside the United States for a company with an affiliated entity inside the United States, come to work for that company in the United States. There are some important criteria that must be met before someone is eligible for an L-1 Visa. Basic Criteria In order to qualify for an L-1 visa, an individual must have been an employee of the sponsoring company for at least one continuous year out of the last three years. In addition, they must be transferring to the United States in order to work for the company as a manager, executive, or employee with…Read More