You do not need a lawyer to fill out immigration forms for you. That said, it is often a good idea to have an experienced immigration lawyer review your forms before submitting them so that you do not waste time and money by submitting applications that could cause you headaches or heartbreak later because they are likely to be rejected.
Immigration law changes quickly. Thus, the implementation of new rules is occurring all the time. If you do not have experience with these laws, it can be difficult to navigate the labyrinth of rules and regulations that you need to follow — not to mention all of the deadlines that you must meet.
A lawyer who specializes in immigration law will understand and keep pace with the ever-changing immigration landscape to best serve clients in their unique situations. It is often a good investment to work with an experienced immigration lawyer. Together, you can identify and address immigration concerns before any problems arise.
Here is a summary of some of the common questions that our immigration clients ask.
What types of problems can an immigration lawyer handle?
An experienced immigration lawyer will be able to consult with you to provide both personalized advice and strategy for your unique needs and circumstances. Clients often need assistance with business immigration or family-based immigration needs as well as immigration court representation and appellate matters.
Can I work in the United States without a visa?
Depending on the type of work you want to do, you will need to obtain a temporary nonimmigrant visa. There are different options, however, for seeking temporary employment in the U.S. This includes, for example, temporary skilled worker visas, investor visas, extraordinary ability visas and business visitor visas, among others.
How do visa waivers work?
The Visa Waiver Program enables most citizens or nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.
How long does it take to process my immigration matter?
The timeline will depend on the number of applications or petitions that both the USCIS Service Centers and National Benefits Center receive. Applications and petitions are serviced from different jurisdictional regions across the United States. Regions include the California Service Center, Nebraska Service Center, Texas Service Center, Vermont Service Center, and the National Benefits Center in Missouri. Each center also tracks its own processing times. The USCIS issues periodic processing time reports for each Service Center.
How much does it cost to work with an immigration lawyer?
Most immigration lawyers will charge a flat fee for services. This covers the client from the beginning to the end of the process without hidden fees or surprise costs. They will provide you with a formal written contract to ensure the scope of work is agreed upon. This is so both they and you are aware of your expectations and responsibilities. The contract should also cover payment terms. This includes government filing fees and attorneys’ fees, the scope of work, and how to change or amend the scope of work.
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