Clear, careful guidance at every step of your U.S. immigration journey

Common family-based pathways we help clients pursue:

• IR-1/CR-1 (Spouse of a U.S. Citizen): for spouses of U.S. citizens; CR-1 applies to marriages under two years and converts to IR-1 status after the second anniversary.
• IR-2: unmarried child under 21 of a U.S. citizen.
• IR-5: parent of a U.S. citizen (petitioner must be 21+).
• F1: unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens.
• F2A: spouses and minor children of green card holders.
• F2B: unmarried adult children of green card holders.
• F3: married children of U.S. citizens.
• F4: siblings of U.S. citizens (petitioner must be 21+).
• K-1 (Fiancé[e] Visa): for engaged partners of U.S. citizens planning to marry within 90 days of entry.

General requirements: proof of the qualifying relationship, a financial sponsor who meets income guidelines (Affidavit of Support), and passing standard admissibility screening.

Family preference categories (F1–F4) are subject to annual numerical limits, which often means a multi-year wait depending on the applicant's country of origin.

Common employment-based pathways:

Temporary work visas:

• H-1B (Specialty Occupation): requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent in a specific field and a sponsoring employer; subject to an annual lottery.
• L-1A/L-1B (Intracompany Transferee): for managers, executives, or specialized-knowledge employees transferring from an overseas affiliate.
• O-1 (Extraordinary Ability): for individuals with sustained national or international acclaim in their field.
• TN (USMCA Professionals): for eligible Canadian and Mexican professionals in designated occupations.

Employment-based green cards:

• EB-1: extraordinary ability, outstanding researchers/professors, or multinational executives/managers (often no labor certification required).
• EB-2: advanced degree professionals or those with exceptional ability; may qualify for a National Interest Waiver without a job offer.
• EB-3: skilled workers, professionals, and other workers; typically requires a PERM labor certification.
• EB-4: certain special immigrants (e.g., religious workers).
• EB-5: investors who make a qualifying investment in a U.S. business that creates jobs.

Most categories require either a sponsoring U.S. employer and, often, a certified labor market test (PERM), or evidence of extraordinary/exceptional qualifications.

General naturalization eligibility (Form N-400):

• Lawful permanent resident status for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen).
• Continuous residence and physical presence in the U.S. for the required periods.
• Good moral character during the statutory period.
• Basic English proficiency and knowledge of U.S. civics (some applicants qualify for age- or disability-based exemptions).
• Attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution.

Eligibility rules have exceptions for military service members and certain other applicants.

Basic E-2 requirements:

• The investor must be a national of a country that has a qualifying treaty of commerce with the United States.
• A substantial, at-risk investment in a real and operating U.S. business.
• The investor must develop and direct the enterprise, typically through at least 50% ownership or operational control.
• The business must be more than marginal — it must generate more than enough income to support the investor and family, or have significant economic impact.

The E-2 is a renewable nonimmigrant visa; it does not by itself lead to a green card.

Common forms of humanitarian relief:

• Asylum: for individuals in the U.S. who fear persecution in their home country based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group; generally must be filed within one year of arrival, with some exceptions.
• VAWA Self-Petition: allows an abused spouse, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen or green card holder to self-petition for immigration status without the abuser's knowledge or participation.
• U Visa: for victims of certain qualifying crimes who have suffered substantial harm and are helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution.

These are highly fact-specific cases; timing and evidence requirements vary significantly by category.

Two paths to a green card once a petition is approved:

• Consular Processing: used when the applicant is outside the United States; the immigrant visa is issued at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.
• Adjustment of Status (Form I-485): used when the applicant is already in the United States in a qualifying status; results in a green card without having to leave the country, and typically includes a biometrics appointment and interview.

Which path applies depends on where the applicant is located and their current immigration status.

Common matters we assist with:

• Removal Defense: representation in immigration court (EOIR) proceedings, including applications for relief such as cancellation of removal, asylum, or withholding of removal.
• I-601 Waiver: waives certain grounds of inadmissibility (e.g., specific misrepresentation or criminal grounds).
• I-601A Provisional Waiver: allows certain applicants to request a waiver of unlawful presence before leaving the U.S. for consular processing.
• I-212: permission to reapply for admission after a prior removal or deportation.

Waiver eligibility usually requires showing extreme hardship to a qualifying U.S. citizen or green card holder relative.

Overview of these statuses:

• DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals): for individuals who came to the U.S. as children and meet continuous residence, age, and education/military-service requirements; provides deferred action from removal and work authorization, renewable every two years (does not itself lead to a green card).
• TPS (Temporary Protected Status): available to eligible nationals of countries designated by the U.S. government due to armed conflict, natural disaster, or other extraordinary conditions; provides temporary protection from removal and work authorization during the designation period.

Both DACA and TPS require timely registration/renewal and are subject to change based on government policy.