What does a US immigration lawyer do?

How Can Our Lawyers Help?

An Immigration lawyer assists their clients with a wide range of immigration related issues. Their job is to use their expert knowledge of immigration law to help you navigate through the complex immigration system.

Although IAS is a UK based law firm, we also have a team of immigration lawyers based across the United States who specialise in all areas of US immigration law. Our team of US immigration lawyers can assist you with any immigration issue that you may face, no matter how complex. They offer services that can be tailored to your needs.

Just a few of the issues that our US lawyers can assist with include US visa applications, US citizenship applications, visa extensions, appealing a USCIS decision, nationality issues and emigrating from the United States.

The services that our US immigration lawyers can provide include:

• Application assistance – they can assist you with every step of the application process for all types of US immigration applications
• Appeal services – they can help you to launch an appeal if your immigration application has been rejected
• Document and application checks – they can use their knowledge of immigration law to ensure your application and any supporting documents are accurate and free from mistakes
• Expert advice – they can offer expert legal advice about your immigration issue and the routes that may be available to you
• Fast-track application services – they can work to a tight deadline to help you get your immigration application submitted quickly

Visa Assistance

Obtaining a US visa is usually a complex process, but our US immigration lawyers have helped many clients with their successful visa applications and can assist you throughout the immigration process here.

The US nonimmigrant visas are permits that grant you temporary entry into the United States, there are many different types of nonimmigrant visas including those that can be used to work, study, visit or join family members in the USA.

Some of the most common US nonimmigrant visa types include the:

• H1B Visa for speciality workers
• H2B Visa for temporary workers
• K1 Visa for fiances of US citizens
• K3 Visa for spouses of US citizens
• B2 Visa for tourists
• F1 and M1 Visas for students

An immigration lawyer can help you to decide which visa would be the best option for you. Our many immigration lawyers offer advice sessions in which they can speak to you about your circumstances, assess your eligibility for various US visas and recommend the best visa for you.

US visa applications can be complex, the initial application must usually be started by a US sponsor, this could be your employer, family member law school or educational institution. They will usually need to file a petition to grant you entry into the US and then you will also need to submit a visa application yourself.

Your immigration attorney can work with you and your US sponsor throughout the application process. They can assist in filling in application forms, help to gather any supporting documents and paperwork that you may need and can liaise with USCIS on your behalf to receive updates on immigration status as your applications progress.

Green Card Assistance

If you want to live in the United States permanently, you will need an immigrant visa, also known as a Green Card.

The Green Cards are generally much more difficult to obtain than the nonimmigrant visas as they are subject to yearly caps, the application process can take years. You can apply for most Green Cards whilst in the US on a nonimmigrant visa, many choose to do this so that they can live in the US whilst awaiting legal status or permanent residence.

There are telephone number of various types of Green Cards available including family-based Green Cards, Employment-Based Green Cards as well as Green Cards for asylum seekers, victims of human trafficking and abuse. To apply you will need to file Form I-485 – Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status with USCIS and attend an interview.

Our immigration attorneys can help you to fill out the application form, inform you on all of the supporting documents that you will need, help you to gather any necessary paperwork and can also help you to prepare for the interview.

Citizenship Assistance

Becoming a US citizen is a major life change but the application process can be extremely difficult. To apply as an overseas national you will need to meet strict requirements and provide the government agencies a substantial amount of supporting documents.

To apply for US citizenship you must:

• Be at least 18 years old;
• Have lived in the U.S. as a Green Card holder for a certain number of years;
• Have established your residency in the same state or district where you intend to apply;
• Be able to prove your “good moral character”;
• Demonstrate adequate knowledge of U.S. history and customs and English language;
• Register your willingness to perform civil services if required (only for male applicants);
• Swear obedience to the Constitution of the United States

This can seem overwhelming, but our lawyers can explain each of the requirements to you and can help you to meet them. If immigration judge that you are not yet eligible, they can advise you on the routes to citizenship available to you.

Emigration Help

Our US immigration lawyers don’t only assist the aspects of US immigration and criminal law here, but also offer emigration assistance to those looking to relocate from the US to another country. They offer emigration services to the following countries:

• UK
• Ireland
• Scotland
• Canada

Whether you simply want to visit, or are looking to live, work, study or even relocate overseas permanently our immigration lawyers can help you to assess your options, give immigration advice, answer any questions you may have about the emigration process and can assist you with visa, permanent residency or citizenship applications for all of the above countries.

Why Should I Hire an Immigration Attorney?

The US immigration system is often a complex, time-consuming and expensive system to navigate, hiring an immigration lawyer will ensure that you have the best chance of success. Our immigration attorneys are trained in all areas of U.S immigration law. Their extensive knowledge of immigration consequences, combined with years of experience, means that you will be in the best hands.

An immigration lawyer can save you time and stress. Many people are concerned about the cost of hiring an immigration attorney, but they can actually save you money in the long run. Having the help of an immigration expert will significantly lower the chance of your application being refused, saving you from having to pay the application fees again or paying for the appeal process.

For more information about legal career and how a US immigration lawyer can help you, contact our team today on 0333 305 9375.