The United States immigration system is a complex web of rules and regulations that can be difficult to understand. Here is an overview of how the system works in 2021.
- If you are a foreign national looking to travel or immigrate to the United States, you will need to obtain a visa. There are several types of visas, each with its own set of requirements.
The most common type of visa is the tourist visa, which allows you to visit the United States for up to 90 days. To apply for a tourist visa, you will need to complete Form DS-160, submit your passport and other supporting documents, and pay the application fee.
- If you want to stay in the United States longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for a different type of visa. The most common type of visa for longer stays in the student visa, which allows you to study at an American educational institution.
To apply for a student visa, you will need to complete Form I-20, submit your passport and other supporting documents, and pay the application fee.
- If you are seeking asylum in the United States, you will need to apply for refugee status. This process can be complicated and it is advisable to seek the assistance of an immigration attorney.
- If you are looking to work in the United States, you will need to obtain a work visa. The most common type of work visa is the H-1B visa, which allows you to work in a specialty occupation for up to six years. To apply for an H-1B visa, you will need to complete Form I-129, submit your passport and other supporting documents, and pay the application fee.
- If you are looking to obtain U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status, you will need to obtain a green card first. You can obtain a green card by marrying a United States citizen or sponsoring yourself for employment in the United States under certain conditions.
If you are not eligible for these methods of obtaining lawful permanent resident status, then you may be able to obtain it through one of several types of visas available through the family sponsorship program. For more information on how to obtain either U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence, please contact an immigration lawyer or law firm.
You may also want to consider applying for the new “Citizen Investor” visa, which allows foreign nationals with liquid assets of at least one million dollars to obtain lawful permanent resident status by investing that sum into a United States-based business. The application fee for this visa is fifty thousand dollars.
The immigration system in 2021 can seem complicated but you do not need to face it alone. Please contact an immigration attorney if you have any questions or concerns about your eligibility to travel or immigrate to the United States.
An immigration lawyer will be able to answer your questions and help guide you through this process. If you are unable to afford an immigration attorney, many law firms offer services on a pro bono basis for low-income individuals.
US Immigration Laws and Hiring Immigration Lawyers
Ever since the United States has had immigration policies, it has been very difficult for people to obtain green cards. With the recent strains of anti-immigration sentiments, obtaining a green card is almost impossible without an immigration lawyer working for you.
Although it is possible to simply apply at your local USCIS office, long waits are common and many paperwork problems can arise with missing information or incorrect documentation. This often leads to lengthy appeals processes before finally receiving approval or rejection months later than expected.
A better hedge against this entire process would be getting an immigration lawyer on your side as soon as possible allowing them to review all necessary documents ensuring all forms are filled out correctly and speeding up the overall processing time drastically.
Immigration law firms have the experience and resources to make sure your case is handled as quickly and easily as possible. Most importantly, they can help you avoid common mistakes that could delay or even derail your application.
With an experienced immigration lawyer on your side, it will be one less thing you have to worry about during this already difficult process.
Lawyers usually charge a fee that is roughly equivalent to ten years of wages for the average worker, but it is well worth the cost-saving months of time and large amounts of frustration. An immigration attorney can also provide valuable advice about visas such as H1-B for allied positions in your career field or F-1 or J-1 for students still completing their education, making sure all forms are filled out correctly and will be accepted by USCIS upon submission.
Many US citizens often feel uncomfortable hiring an immigration lawyer due to fear of prejudice at the border, however, this has been found to not be true unless you have previous convictions or outstanding warrants against you.
The best way to ensure that there is no misunderstanding when crossing the border is to have all of your paperwork in order, including an immigration lawyer’s letter of representation, just in case you are questioned.
10 Key Tips to Hire an Immigration Lawyer for an immigration system
The following are 10 key tips for hiring an immigration lawyer. It talks about how law firms have experience and resources to make sure your case is handled as quickly and easily as possible.
Most importantly, they can help you avoid common mistakes that could delay or even derail your application. With experienced immigration lawyers on your side, it will be one less thing you have to worry about during this already difficult process.
- Don’t Waste Time With a Regular Lawyer – Many lawyers are generalists who may not necessarily know everything about immigration law.
- Ask Friends and Family – Chances are, you know someone who has gone through the immigration process with good results.
- Interview at Least Three Lawyers – Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions to get a sense of whether or not they will be a good fit for your case.
- Find a Lawyer Who Specializes in Immigration Cases – This is perhaps the most important thing to look for when hiring an immigration lawyer.
- Get a Referral from Immigration Attorneys – If you know an immigration attorney, they will be able to refer you to a competent lawyer who can help with your specific case.
- Consider How Much the Lawyer Will Charge – Lawyers usually charge a fee that is roughly equivalent to ten years of wages for the average worker, but it is well worth the cost.
- Ask for References – Don’t be afraid to ask for references from past clients to get an idea of how the lawyer works and whether or not they were satisfied with the outcome.
- Look for an Experienced Lawyer – Lawyers who have been practicing immigration law for many years will have the experience and resources you need to make sure your case is handled correctly.
- Get a Free Consultation – Many immigration lawyers provide free consultations to determine if they can help with your specific case.
- Ask About Payment Plans – Some immigration lawyers will not charge you for their services unless they are successful, making it easier to hire them in the first place.
Overall, the United States immigration system is difficult to navigate without professional help. By hiring an immigration lawyer, you can save yourself a lot of time and headaches, ensuring that your application is processed as quickly and easily as possible.
As the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” – in this case, having an immigration lawyer on your side will be worth the investment.