Stafford, Virginia Immigration Lawyer

Attorney for Employment-Based Visas and Family-Based Green Cards in Stafford

The United States is a beacon of freedom and opportunity for many people from around the world. While there are many ways people may immigrate to the U.S., the procedures they will need to follow and the issues they may need to address can become complicated. At The Estevez Group, PC, we help immigrants and sponsors understand the options for employment-based immigration or family-based immigration and the steps they can take to obtain Green Cards and citizenship. Our immigration services help ensure that families, employers, employees, and others can navigate the U.S. immigration system successfully.

Immigration Options for Employees Through Employer Sponsorship

Employment-based immigration allows businesses to bring skilled workers to the United States so that they can fill open positions. Workers will be able to enter the U.S., maintain employment, and live in the country on either a temporary or permanent basis.

Employers can sponsor employees for Green Cards, granting them lawful permanent residency. Immigrant visas for employees are grouped into different preference categories based on the qualifications and skills of the applicant. Workers with the highest levels of ability and executives or managers of multinational companies will receive the first preference through EB-1 visas. Professional workers who have received advanced college degrees or have exceptional abilities will receive the second preference through EB-2 visas. Other employees, including those who are classified as professionals, skilled workers, or unskilled workers, will receive third preference through EB-3 visas.

Temporary work visas allow employees to work in the United States for a specified period and purpose. Employers may provide sponsorship for different types of visas so that they can fill specific needs. Professional workers in specialty fields like technology, science, or medicine may qualify for H-1B visas. People who work for a foreign branch of a company may be able to transfer to a U.S. branch through L-1 Visas. Those who have high levels of ability in certain fields, such as athletics or entertainment, may qualify for O-1 visas.

To sponsor an employee for a visa, an employer must complete labor certification and demonstrate that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively impact the U.S. workforce, as well as other compliance requirements. The Estevez Group, PC assists employers and employees in meeting these requirements and ensuring that they can complete the application process smoothly and efficiently.

Family Sponsorship

Family-based immigration can help people in the United States reunite with their loved ones by sponsoring them for visas and Green Cards. The options available to family members may include:

• Fiancé Visas (K-1): In situations where couples are planning to get married, these visas allow foreign citizens to enter the U.S. on a temporary basis. If the couple gets married within 90 days after a person enters the United States, the foreign spouse can apply for a Green Card.
• Immediate Relative (IR) Visas: Spouses, unmarried children who are under the age of 21, and parents of United States citizens will usually be eligible for these visas. Since there are no annual numerical limits on IR visas, these cases often allow for faster processing.
• Family Preference (F) Visas: Siblings and married children of U.S. citizens and spouses and unmarried children of Green Card holders may be able to immigrate to the United States under F visas. Each category of F visas is subject to annual caps. Because of the limited number of visas that may be available, longer wait times will be required.

The Estevez Group, PC assists families with preparing visa petitions, gathering all of the required documentation, and addressing potential challenges during the sponsorship process.

The Benefits of Green Cards

A Green Card will give someone the ability to live and work in the United States permanently, along with other significant benefits:

• Stability: Permanent residency provides a secure foundation for living and working without the need to renew a visa.
• Path to Citizenship: Green Card holders can take steps to complete the naturalization process and gain the benefits of United States citizenship after meeting certain requirements.
• Family Sponsorship: Green Card holders can sponsor their spouses and children for immigration, allowing their family to reunite in the United States.
• Legal Protections: Green Card holders are protected from deportation under most circumstances, and they may be eligible for certain federal benefits.

Applying for Citizenship Through Naturalization

Naturalization offers additional benefits to immigrants, including the right to vote and receive certain types of public aid. The process of obtaining citizenship involves the following steps:

1. Determine Eligibility: A person must hold a Green Card for at least five years (or three years if they are married to a U.S. citizen), and they will also need to meet residency and physical presence requirements.
2. Submit Form N-400: Filing a naturalization application along with supporting documents will officially begin the process.
3. Biometrics Appointment: At this appointment, a person's fingerprints and other information will be recorded, and they will undergo a background check.
4. Naturalization Test and Interview: An applicant must pass tests on U.S. civics and English proficiency, and they will answer questions about their application during an interview.
5. Take the Oath of Allegiance: Once a person is approved to become a U.S. citizen, they will complete the process by taking the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony.

Our firm helps clients prepare for each step of the naturalization process, ensuring they meet all of their requirements while addressing any obstacles. Our goal is to ensure that immigrants can achieve the full benefits that come with citizenship.

Contact Our Stafford, VA Immigration Attorney

When addressing issues related to immigration, the lawyer at The Estevez Group, PC will serve as an essential resource, guiding you through the process and protecting your rights. Set up a free consultation with our attorney by calling 703-829-5179 or filling out an online contact form.