Winchester, Virginia Immigration Attorney

Lawyer for Green Cards, Naturalization, and Other Immigration Issues in Winchester, VA

Immigrants play a vital role in the cultural and economic fabric of the United States. While there are multiple ways immigrants can receive authorization to enter the U.S. and maintain a legal status in the country, the immigration journey may involve a number of obstacles. The Estevez Group, PC provides guidance on how to address and overcome these issues. We assist clients throughout every stage of the immigration process, from obtaining visas and Green Cards to pursuing citizenship. Our lawyer works closely with immigrants, family members, or employers to help ensure that they can achieve their immigration goals.

The Importance of Green Cards and Lawful Permanent Residency

A Green Card grants a person lawful permanent resident (LPR) status. Benefits of a Green Card include:

• Long-Term Stability: LPRs can live in the United States without worrying about visa renewals, and they will have authorization to work for most employers. They generally cannot be deported from the U.S. unless they are convicted of certain deportable crimes or violations of immigration laws.
• Path to Becoming a Citizen: Green Card holders become eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship after three to five years.
• Sponsorship Opportunities: A person with a Green Card can petition for certain relatives to join them in the United States through immigrant visas.

Options for Obtaining a Green Card

There are two primary pathways for securing a Green Card: family-based immigration and employment-based immigration.

Family-Based Green Cards

Sponsorship for an immigrant visa from a family member who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident is one of the most common avenues available to immigrants. The options include:

• Visas for immediate relatives: Spouses, parents, and children of U.S. citizens will usually qualify for immigrant visas. This category of visa does not have any annual limits, resulting in faster processing.
• Visas for people in Family Preference categories: Other relatives of citizens (siblings and married adult children) and immediate family members of Green Card holders (spouses and children) may qualify for visas once they become available. Because of annual limits on visas in different preference categories, wait times will typically be required.
• Visas for couples who plan to marry: United States citizens can apply for visas for their romantic partners. When a fiancé receives approval for a visa, they will be allowed to come to the United States for a 90-day period. If the couple gets married during that period, the foreign citizen spouse will be able to receive a Green Card and continue living in the U.S.

Employment-Based Green Cards

Employers may be able to sponsor foreign workers for permanent residency based on their skills and qualifications. Employers will need to meet certain requirements, including showing that open positions cannot be filled by workers in the United States. Employment-based Green Cards may be issued based on different preference categories, including:

• EB-1: The highest level of preference is reserved for workers who can demonstrate that they have abilities that exceed most of the people in their fields. Other workers covered in this category include executives in international companies and professors or researchers with outstanding achievements.
• EB-2: The next-highest level of preference covers professional employees who have obtained advanced educational degrees or who have demonstrated exceptional levels of ability in their fields.
• EB-3: The third level of preference covers many other types of workers, including professionals who have college degrees, skilled workers who have received education or training, and unskilled laborers who may not have stringent training requirements.

Temporary Work Visas: Another Employment-Based Immigration Option

In situations where immigrant visas may not be available for certain employees, temporary work visas may provide opportunities for employment in the United States. These visas will allow a person to stay in the U.S. for a specific amount of time, and when they expire, workers will be required to leave the country. Temporary visa categories include H-1B, O-1, and L-1, and employees will need to demonstrate that they meet the qualifications for a specific type of visa.

Becoming a U.S. Citizen

For many immigrants, becoming an American citizen will be the last stop on their immigration journey. Citizenship will allow a person to travel throughout the world with a United States passport, vote in elections, obtain benefits through the government, be protected against the possibility of deportation, and other benefits.

The process of applying for citizenship is known as naturalization, and a person will need to understand the requirements for doing so, which include maintaining a legal status as a lawful permanent resident for several years and residing in the United States for a certain amount of time. After submitting an application for naturalization, a person will be interviewed by an official at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and they will be given tests of their English fluency and their knowledge of the history and government structure of the United States.

Our lawyer can help ensure that applicants complete naturalization applications correctly and are prepared for interviews and tests. We will work to address any issues that may arise and ensure that our clients can gain the full benefits that come with citizenship.

Contact Our Winchester Immigration Lawyer

The Estevez Group, PC can provide the legal help you need to address immigration matters in Winchester, Virginia. Call us today at 703-829-5179 or reach out to us online for your free consultation.