Philadelphia Immigration Lawyers

Specialty Areas

Family-based Immigrant Visa Petitions/ Employment Authorization/ Travel Documents
For immigrant family members who would like to stay with you, work in the U.S. or return to the U.S. after traveling outside the country – we will guide you through the steps for:

• Filing a visa petition to bring a family member into the U.S.
• Procuring an employment authorization permit so your family member can work in the U.S.
• Obtaining a travel document, which permits immigrants to return to the U.S. after traveling abroad.

Employment-based Immigrant Visa Petitions & Labor Certifications
Based on ability, skills and work experience, you or an immigrant relative may qualify for an employment-based immigrant petition and not need labor certification.

National Interest Waivers
National interest refers to serving the best interests of the United States. In this case, an immigrant whose admission to the country will improve conditions in any number of ways is eligible when applying for a green card, to waive the offer of work. Some examples of bettering the national interest include:

• Improve wages and working conditions of U.S. Workers.
• Improve the educational system.
• Improve the environment and increase production of natural resources.
• Provide more affordable housing for young, aged, or poor U.S. residents.

Religious Immigrant & Non-immigrant (R-1) Visa Petitions
Non-immigrant visas are issued to a foreigner who doesn’t intend to stay in the U.S. permanently. An R-1 or religious visa is a temporary visa for religious workers who want to come to the U.S. to work in a religious capacity, such as in a mission or church.

Other Special Immigrant Visa Petitions, e.g. Battered Spouse Petitions
Usually a U.S. citizen or green card holder files an immigrant visa petition for their spouse and children. However, in instances where the spouse or child are being abused and the U.S. citizen or green card holder is refusing to file a visa petition on their behalf, the spouse or child may self-petition for a visa.

Employment-based Non-immigrant Visas, e.g. H-1 (Specialty Occupation), H-2, L-1 (Corporate Transferees), TN, O-1, P-1, etc.

• H-1 Visas are granted to workers in specialty occupations, usually with advanced degrees, such as computer specialists, business administrators, engineers, etc.
• H-2 visas are work visas for skilled or unskilled laborers, for example in the agricultural or construction fields.
• An L-1 visa is used by companies that want to transfer foreign employees to the U.S. to work in a company branch, usually as an executive, manager or in a specialized position.
• TN visas are for Mexican and Canadian citizens who are working as professionals in certain fields for one or more U.S. employers.
• O-1 visas are reserved for extraordinary individuals at the top of their fields, usually in business, sciences, athletics or the arts. Extensive documentary proof is necessary for granting this type of visa.
• P-1 visas are for foreigners coming to the U.S. temporarily to take part in a renowned athletic competition or as a well-known entertainer.

Other Non-immigrant Visas, e.g. F-1 (Student), M-1, E (Traders and Investors), etc.

• F1 visa – for foreign students coming to the United States to study or do research at an accredited college or university.
• M-1 visas – for foreign students coming to the U.S. to study in trade or vocational schools.

E Visas break down into two types, E-1 and E-2.

• E-1 visas are for foreigners who work for a foreign company doing a considerable trade business with the United States.
• E-2 visas are for foreign nationals who are investing a substantial amount of their own money in U.S. business ventures.

J-1 Waivers
J-1 Waivers is a program offering foreign physicians permission to work in areas of the United States where there is a shortage of health professionals or to extend their services to areas with a health care.

Extensions of Stay
An Extension of Stay grants permission to stay in the U.S. beyond the point of your visa expiration date. Visa holders must apply for extensions of stay well before their visas expire.

Political Asylum
Political asylum is granted to foreign nationals already in the U.S. who are afraid and don’t want to return to their countries due to persecution or threat of persecution based on religion, politics, race, nationality or social issues.

Defense in Deportation (Removal) Proceedings
Deportation means being forced to leave the United States. Circumstances for deportation include committing a crime, denial of asylum application or a visa petition.

Citizenship & Naturalization
During naturalization you acquire U.S. citizenship. Citizenship describes the relationship between you and your country – the rights, privileges and protection you enjoy as well as your responsibilities to support and uphold your country.

Pennsylvania and New Jersey Personal Injury.
Personal injury is legally defined as harm to your body, mind or emotions, but not to your personal property. If someone else besides you is responsible for the injury, there may be grounds for a lawsuit. Personal Injury Law Practice covers many different types of injury – accidents, medical malpractice, elder abuse, brain injury and workers compensation to name a few.
 

Our Pennsylvania immigration lawyers are more than happy to answer your questions or provide further details about green cards and visas. We’ll help you acquire citizenship or fight deportation. Our knowledge and advice covers all areas of immigration law. Call us at (215) 496-0690 or Click here to call us today so we can discuss your concerns.