Reston Immigration Lawyer

Attorney for Visas, Green Cards, and U.S. Citizenship in Reston, VA

The immigration laws in the United States provide a variety of ways for people to come to the country on a temporary basis or take steps to resettle permanently. If you or your family members are seeking a visa, pursuing permanent residency, or applying for citizenship, or if you are an employer who is making a job offer to a foreign employee, you will need to understand your legal requirements. At The Estevez Group, PC, we help clients in Reston, Virginia, address immigration concerns, and we are here to help you navigate the immigration process with confidence.

The Role of Visas in Immigration

A visa is an official document that allows a foreign national to enter the United States for a specific purpose and period of time. Visas are broadly categorized into two types: non-immigrant visas and immigrant visas. Each type serves a different function, and eligibility depends on the applicant's purpose for entering the country.

Non-Immigrant Visas

Some visas allow for temporary stays in the United States, and they are typically issued for specific purposes, such as work, education, or tourism. Temporary work visas are commonly used in situations where employers in the U.S. are looking to fill needs by hiring foreign employees. While H-1B visas are some of the most popular temporary work visas, allowing professionals in specialty occupations to work in the United States, other visas may also be available depending on an employee's qualifications.

Another type of temporary visa that may be used in family-based immigration cases is the K-1 visa, which allows a U.S. citizen to bring their foreign fiancé to the United States. This type of visa will allow for a 90-day stay in the U.S., but if the couple gets married within this period, the foreign spouse can apply for a Green Card and continue living in the country on a permanent basis.

Immigrant Visas and Green Cards

Immigrant visas allow people to enter the United States with the intent to live in the country permanently. Once in the United States, a person will be able to receive a Green Card that recognizes them as a lawful permanent resident.

Citizens of the United States and lawful permanent residents who hold Green Cards can sponsor relatives for immigrant visas and Green Cards. Eligible relationships include Spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens, who can receive Immediate Relative visas. Spouses and unmarried children of lawful permanent residents and siblings or adult children of citizens may be able to receive Family Preference visas.

In employment-based immigration cases, employers can sponsor workers for immigrant visas based on their skills, qualifications, and job roles. There are several different categories of immigrant visas for employees, covering workers who have exceptional abilities, people who have achieved advanced educational degrees, professionals, and other workers who are classified as either skilled or unskilled laborers.

The Estevez Group, PC provides guidance in both family-based and employment-based immigration cases. We work with family members to complete visa applications and make sure the proper sponsorship requirements are met. We also help employees determine the appropriate visa types to apply for and make sure employers complete their labor certification requirements and other criteria.

Applying for Citizenship

Becoming a U.S. citizen through naturalization offers many benefits, including voting rights, access to certain jobs, protection from deportation, and the ability to serve as a sponsor for other family members who wish to immigrate to the country. Lawful permanent residents who meet specific criteria can apply for citizenship after living in the United States for a certain period.

In general, the requirements for naturalization include residency in the U.S. for five years as a Green Card holder, although this may be reduced to three years for people married to citizens of the United States. A person will also need to show that they have resided in the U.S. continuously and have actually been inside the country for a specific amount of time. After applying for naturalization, a person will be interviewed by an immigration officer, and they will need to pass tests to show that they are fluent in English and understand the history and government of the United States.

Our lawyer can help clients prepare for the naturalization process and assist with filing applications. We work to ensure that they will meet all of their requirements and will be fully prepared for their naturalization interview and tests. Our goal is to make sure they will be able to gain the benefits that come from U.S. citizenship.

Addressing Other Immigration Issues

In addition to visas, Green Cards, and naturalization, The Estevez Group, PC provides assistance with other immigration-related matters, including:

• Inadmissibility Concerns: Certain factors, such as previous immigration violations or criminal convictions, can cause a person to be deemed inadmissible to the United States. Waivers of inadmissibility may allow people in these situations to enter the country or adjust their status. Our firm helps clients prepare compelling waiver applications, demonstrating that their presence in the U.S. is needed to help their loved ones avoid hardship.
• Humanitarian Relief: We provide compassionate support to people who are facing challenging circumstances as they address immigration issues. We can help apply for U visas or VAWA protections, making sure they can remain in the U.S. after suffering harm due to crimes or domestic violence. We can also help minors apply for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status in situations where they have been neglected or abused by a parent.

Contact Our Reston, Virginia Immigration Attorney

If you need assistance with family-based immigration, employment-based immigration, or other concerns that may affect your status in the United States, The Estevez Group, PC is ready to provide you with guidance. To set up a free consultation, call 703-829-5179 today or contact us online. We are available 24/7 to assist you.