The decision to hire an immigration attorney is a personal one, and you want to make sure that you hire the right one for you. Here are some things to look for when deciding who to hire: Experience The most important thing to look for in an immigration attorney is experience, especially with the type of matter you are seeking help with. Check out the attorney’s website or talk to the attorney to get more information about the types of matters they handle the most and see how long they’ve been practicing. Past Success You want to make sure that the attorney you hire has been successful in their practice. The best way to determine this is to look at testimonials from past clients. Were past clients happy with the service they received or did they have complaints? Ask to see references from the attorney and check out review sites. A Different Approach If you have a complex immigration issue, then you want to make…Read More
In order to remain at the top of their field, athletes, entertainers, and other performers must travel the globe in order to remain at the top of their field. This often involves working in the United States. In order to perform in the United States, an entertainer must be sure to have the right visa in place. There are two options you may want to consider if you’re an entertainer looking to work in the United States. An experienced immigration attorney can help you may the right decision for your circumstances. P-1 Visas P-1 visas are available to athletes, artists, and entertainers who wish to work in the United States. You may be eligible for a P-1 visa if you are an entertainer, or group of entertainers, recognized as outstanding. P-1 visa holders may perform for payment or prize money. Visa holders may travel freely between the United States and other countries. O-1 Visas O-1 visas are available for individuals with extraordinary abilities in the…Read More
The most commonly used nonimmigrant work visas are the L-1 and H-1B visas. These visas have some things in common, but there are also quite a few differences. If you are in the process of choosing a route to the United States, it may difficult to choose which visa is right for you. If you work for a multinational corporation, then the L-1 visa is probably the most appropriate. The H-1B visa will work if you want more flexibility in your job. L-1 Visa The L-1 visa is also known as the intra company transfer visa. It allows multinational companies to transfer employees from foreign locations to those in the United States. The L-1 visa applies to managerial and executive employees or employees with specialized knowledge. An individual with specialized knowledge must possess knowledge about the company’s operations. An L-1 visa is a dual intent visa and the maximum length an individual is allowed to stay in the United States is seven years. H-1B Visa…Read More
A J-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa available to exchange visitors who are teachers, professors, research scholars, or people with specialized skills. One of the advantages of a J-1 visa is that you are allowed to change to another nonimmigrant visa if you wish to stay in the United States after your program has ended. The O-1 visa is one of the categories you can easily switch to. There are some distinct advantages to O-1 visa that make it an attractive option. Advantages Of An O-1 Visa O-1 visas are for those individuals who demonstrate extraordinary ability in a number of different fields including academics, athletics, science, and the arts. One of the advantages of an O-1 visa is that you can apply for an unlimited number of extensions and potentially stay in the United States indefinitely as long as you continue to meet the criteria. Another advantage is that, unlike other work visas, there is no annual cap on the number of O-1 visas…Read More
Under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), individuals who demonstrate that they have been the victims of abuse or eligible to obtain green cards. VAWA green card holders are also eligible to apply for citizenship. In some cases, VAWA green card holders can apply for citizenship after three year instead of the usual five years. Spouses Of United States Citizens If you are the abused spouse of a United States citizen, then you may be eligible to apply for citizenship three years after you obtain your green card. You will not be required to show that you are still residing with the citizen spouse. It also doesn’t matter if you are still married or divorced from the citizen spouse. You can also apply after three years as a legal permanent resident even if your citizen spouse has died. This is an important benefit of the VAWA green card. Spouses of U.S. citizens that seek naturalization have to wait five years after obtaining their green card.…Read More
O-1 visas are more flexible than other nonimmigrant visas. However, there are work restrictions and limitations that you should be aware of in order to make the most of your status. O-1 Visa An O-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that is available for those individuals who demonstrate extraordinary ability in their field. There are O-1A visa for those whose fields include science, business, education, and athletics. An O-1B visa is available for those individuals who are in the motion picture or television industry. There are strict standards that must be met in order to qualify for an O-1 visa. Work Restrictions Although an O-1 visa is fairly flexible, there are still a number of work restrictions, including: You Cannot Sponsor Your Own Visa—an O-1 visa application can only be sponsored by a United States employer or an O-1 visa agent. There must be a contractual agreement between the O-1 visa holder and the agent. Changing Employers—while an O-1 visa holder can work for multiple…Read More
An E-2 treaty investor visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows foreign nationals that have treaties with the United States to come to this country if they invest. It is an investment visa that encourages investors to build businesses in the United States. There are a number of advantages to the E-2 visa but there are also questions regarding taxes. Do I Have To Pay Taxes If I Have An E-2 Visa? As long as you earn income in the United States, whether you are a citizen, an immigrant, or a nonimmigrant on a visa, you are required to pay taxes. Therefore, as an E-2 visa holder you will have to pay taxes. However, the amount of taxes you pay will depend on your status, your country of origin, and other factors. Under United States tax law, nonimmigrant visa holders are split into two groups. They are resident and nonresident aliens. Several factors, including the length of your stay in the United States, will determine…Read More
The number of L-1 visas being rejected has gone up over recent years and there is currently a temporary suspension on the issuing of these visas. Still the news isn’t all bad. These visas will be available again and they may be the right move for your business to expand in the United States. Advantages Of An L-1 Visa There are two types of L-1 visas that are useful for nonimmigrant intracompany transfers. The L-1A visa is available for those individuals in managerial or executive positions. L-1B visas are for those in positions that require specialized knowledge. L-1 nonimmigrant visas allow a company to transfer an executive or manager, or a professional employee with specialized knowledge, from one of its affiliated foreign offices to an office in the United States. This visa is also useful as it allows a company that does not yet have an affiliated office in the United States, send executive or managers over to establish a new affiliated office. In order…Read More
In recent years it has become harder to immigrate to the United States. Added restrictions have been placed by the Trump administration on many visa categories and visa denials have doubled over the last few years. These changes have altered the demographics of the workforce and artistic community in the United States. Included among the types of visas that are more difficult to get are the O-1 visas. O-1 Visa Process O-1 visas are available for those who demonstrate extraordinary ability in their field. They are reserved for those individuals who have shown outstanding achievements. Applying for an O-1 visa is not any easy process. If you have obtained a special achievement such as a Nobel prize or an Academy Award, then you should have no problem applying for an O-1 visa. However, some applicants rely the other criteria available to demonstrate their extraordinary ability. In these cases, the decision is made by an immigration officer and can be somewhat subjective. All of your evidence…Read More
You are not required to have an attorney when you begin the visa application process. In fact, USCIS provides information and guides on its website that can help you through the process. However, when applying for a visa, it’s important that you get everything right. There many requirements and steps to be followed and hiring an attorney can help you put together the best application. Figuring Out Your Options Not sure which visa is a right for you? An attorney can look at your situation and help you look through your options. Looking at things creatively may mean that you have visa options you never considered before. You could qualify for multiple visas and an attorney can help you determine which one best for you or which one has the fastest application process. Overwhelmed By Paperwork And Deadlines? Even the simplest visa applications require extensive paperwork and important deadlines. It can be confusing and easy to miss something that may derail your application. You can…Read More
