Mooresville Immigration Lawyer

Mooresville Immigration Lawyer

Only following and complying with the complex tax code is more complicated than following and complying with the U.S. immigration law. That is what most people who have gone through the immigration law process would tell you. The laws and regulations that govern U.S. immigration are not only complex, but they are also constantly changing. Fortunately, you have an experienced Mooresville immigration lawyer here ready to help you successfully navigate the immigration process.

How the Immigration Process Works

Going through the immigration process can be a daunting task and the specific process depends on what you wish to accomplish. U.S. immigration is divided into two broad categories that also have several subcategories. The two broad categories are permanent immigration and temporary immigration.

• Temporary Immigration. This is the type of immigration where a person seeks to only come and stay in the United States for a temporary period, which could be for a few days to a few years, depending on the reason for the stay. Professional workers, for example, are given visas that allow them to stay for as long as three years with an option to renew, while visitors for business or pleasure are typically given six months to a maximum of 12 months. However, those holding these temporary visas do have an option – if they qualify – to apply and change their status to permanent (green card) status.
• Permanent Residency. The other broad immigration category is the permanent residency or green card category. There are several ways one can obtain a green card, but the most common are immigration through employment or family-based immigration.
  • Family-based immigration. U.S. immigration law allows certain close family members of a U.S. citizen or of a permanent resident to obtain green cards based on that relationship. Not all family members qualify, and even among those who qualify, they are classified into groups that determine how quickly or long they must wait to receive their green cards. The close family members who typically get green cards under this category are spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens and spouses and children of green card holders.
  • Employment-based immigration. The other broad category under which one can immigrate to the United States as a green card holder is employment-based immigration. Under this category, the foreign individual will typically require a U.S. employer to sponsor them for the green card. The employer must follow and strictly adhere to rules and regulations that require, among other things, the employer to show that they cannot find qualified American workers ready and willing to do the job being offered to a foreign worker. 

In some cases, however, if the foreign individual is a highly skilled and internationally recognized person or one whose skills are needed in the United States, it may be possible for that individual to self-petition – meaning they would not need a job offer in the United States.

Learn More from Our Mooresville Immigration Lawyers

If you are in the Mooresville area and need the services of an immigration lawyer, contact Vestal Immigration Law today for a consultation.