The Sunwabe Law Firm Is Here to Protect Your Future
United States immigration laws address a range of situations that necessitate a person from a foreign country coming to the United States for any reason. The procedure for gaining legal immigrant status or work authorization depends on many factors. The Sunwabe Law Firm can help you work through this complicated process and determine which path may fit your situation based on your employment, education, and family situation. Sunwabe Law can help you with:
- Citizenship
- Green Cards
- Visas
- Work Authorization
- Nonimmigrant Temporary Work Visa
- H-1B Visas
- Deportation and Removal Proceedings
- Claiming Asylum
What Does an Immigration Attorney Do?
An immigration attorney assists individuals who are trying to come to the United States from another country or who are already in the United States but are facing deportation. Immigration law is extremely complex, so immigration attorneys can assist with everything from ensuring the correct completion of a visa application to helping the client understand what to expect during the immigration process and representation at deportation defense hearings. The requirements of moving to a new country can feel overwhelming, and at The Sunwabe Law Firm, we provide our clients with the information they need to understand the law, representation to ensure they do no have to navigate immigration law on their own, and the hope that their dream to be a part of the United States might come true.
What Is a Green Card?
A permanent residency card is called a Green Card because it was once printed on green paper. Today, these cards are more similar to a driver’s license or state identification card, but people still commonly refer to them as Green Cards. A Green Card grants you the ability to legally live and work permanently in the United States.
Why Might My Application Be Denied?
There are many reasons an immigration application may be denied. There are three reasons that tend to be more common than others. The first is that you do not meet the requirements for the kind of visa you applied for. There are specific sets of criteria for each visa that must be met by the immigrant and sometimes by their sponsors as well. If they do not meet each of the criteria, the application will be denied.
The second common reason is that there is an error in your paperwork. This could be missing documentation or something filled out incorrectly. An immigration attorney can assist you with ensuring that your application is filled out correctly and has all the required documentation before submission.
The third common reason is a lack of available visas. Some visas are limited to a certain number per year, and if the quota has already been met when your application is reviewed, it will be denied.
Whatever the reason, if your application has been denied, The Sunwabe Law Firm may be able to assist you with rectifying the problem and submitting a new application.
Immigration FAQs
How Long Does the Immigration Process Take?
Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to this question. There are several types of visas, each of which have their own review timeline. Sometimes, more documentation may be required, which can make the process take even longer. Immigration applications generally take anywhere from a few months to more than a year, but your local immigration office may be able to offer more updated and specific information.
Which Kind of Visa Do I Need?
There are several types of visas that you can apply for. Some are for immigrants and some are for nonimmigrants. Immigrant visas are for those who are planning to come to the United States permanently, such as individuals who are marrying a United States citizen or a child being adopted by American parents. Nonimmigrant visas are for individuals who are planning to visit the United States temporarily, such as exchange visitors, foreign military stationed in the United States, or athletes.
The type of visa you will want to apply for will depend on your reasons for coming to the United States, whether you will want to work, and whether your goal is to ultimately reside permanently in the United States. An immigration lawyer will be able to review your background, discuss your needs, and guide you to the right visa for your circumstances. Two commonly-applied for visas are employer-sponsored and family-sponsored, but these are not the only options.
How Can a Family Member Sponsor Someone to Come to the United States?
Immigration laws set specific requirements for who can sponsor a family member to come to the United States and which family members they can sponsor. A United States citizen can sponsor their spouse, siblings, children, and parents. A lawful permanent resident can only sponsor their spouse and any unmarried children they may have. Additionally, the individual who would like to sponsor their relative may also need to show proof of income and age, as they are often going to be financially supporting the person they sponsor.
How Long Do You Have to Be Married Before You Can Get a Marriage Visa?
The law does not require a certain length of marriage before issuing a marriage visa. However, married couples do have to prove that their marriage is bona fide and not simply a marriage of convenience to get a marriage visa. Couples who have been married a very short time or who had very short relationships before getting married may face more scrutiny and have more difficulty convincing the United States government that their marriage is bona fide.
Additionally, if the couple has been married less than two years, the visa will be conditional. Once the individual has been in the United States for two years from the issuance of the conditional visa, they may apply to have the conditions removed. If the application to have the conditions removed is successful, they will be granted a traditional permanent resident card, also known as a Green Card.
Can I Work While My Visa Application Is Being Processed?
Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to work while your visa application is processed. If you have already applied and been approved for a work permit or employment authorization, you can begin working as soon as you receive the permit. You cannot work while waiting for the permit to be processed. If you do not have a work permit or employment authorization, you cannot work while your visa application is being processed.
Individuals must be very careful to follow these rules. If you work while you do not have the proper authorization to do so, you are violating the terms of your stay in the United States and may face removal proceedings. If you have applied for a visa and would like to work but do not have a work permit, you may wish to consult with an immigration attorney to learn more about how you may be able to get a work permit.
Achieve the American Dream
Whether your dreams of immigrating to America include marriage and children, successful employment, or something else, the first step is getting approval. Whether you are starting the application for your visa, have been denied a visa, or have other immigration concerns, The Sunwabe Law Firm’s legal team is prepared to represent you and help you achieve that dream. Contact us today to go over your immigration needs and how we may be able to assist you.
