IMMIGRATION SERVICESU.S. Immigration Legal Services for Individuals, Families and Employers

Join a spouse, parent, child, or another qualifying relative

Family-based cases include immediate-relative and family-preference petitions. A U.S. citizen’s fiancé or fiancée generally follows the K-1 nonimmigrant route.

Work temporarily in the United States

Temporary work classifications include H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-1, E-2 and TN. Eligibility depends on the position, sponsor, nationality and qualifications.

Pursue permanent residence through employment

Employment-based residence includes EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3. Many cases require an employer and PERM, while qualifying EB-1A and NIW applicants may self-petition.

Invest in, open, or manage a U.S. business

Business immigration depends on nationality, investment, ownership, corporate relationships and whether temporary or permanent residence is sought.

Respond to removal proceedings

Removal cases require review of the Notice to Appear, hearing dates, prior orders and potential relief before an immigration judge.

Seek protection from persecution

Asylum requires a connection between persecution and a protected ground; the one-year deadline, exceptions and supporting evidence also matter.

Apply for citizenship or document an existing claim

Citizenship cases may involve N-400 naturalization, citizenship at birth, derived citizenship or Form N-600 documentation.

Family-Based Immigrant Petitions

Immediate-relative categories generally cover the spouse, qualifying unmarried child under 21, or parent of a U.S. citizen. These categories are not subject to the annual numerical limits that apply to family-preference cases.

Family-preference categories cover specified relatives of U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Annual limits can create waits tied to the priority date and Visa Bulletin.

Form I-130 establishes the petitioner’s status and qualifying family relationship; marriage petitions also need evidence of a genuine marriage. Approval alone does not confer lawful status or work authorization.

K-1 Fiancé or Fiancée Visa

The K-1 fiancé visa is a nonimmigrant route for a U.S. citizen’s foreign fiancé or fiancée, generally beginning with Form I-129F. After admission, the couple must marry within 90 days.

Marriage after K-1 admission does not itself grant a green card. The eligible spouse normally applies for adjustment of status with evidence of the relationship, prior marriages and admissibility.

Temporary Work Visas

H-1B covers qualifying specialty occupations, L-1 certain intracompany transferees and O-1 applicants meeting the applicable extraordinary-ability standard. Treaty-based E classifications require qualifying nationality and treaty eligibility.

Many temporary-worker cases begin with employer- or agent-filed Form I-129. Evidence may cover duties, wages, worksite, qualifications, corporate relationships or prior foreign employment. PERM is a separate process.

Employment-Based Green Cards

Employment-based green cards include EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3. Many cases require a job offer and employer-filed I-140, while qualifying EB-1A and EB-2 NIW applicants can self-petition.

Many employer-sponsored EB-2 and EB-3 cases require PERM. The employer obtains a wage determination, conducts lawful recruitment and files the labor certification application.

For certain employer-sponsored I-140 petitions, USCIS examines the employer’s ability to pay the offered wage from the applicable priority date. This is not a universal temporary-visa requirement.

PERM, I-140, visa availability and I-485 or consular processing are separate stages.

Business Immigration

Business immigration may involve treaty investors, intracompany transferees, executives, founders and immigrant investors. The route depends on nationality, corporate relationships, the applicant’s role and immigration goals.

E classifications depend on nationality and treaty terms. L-1 and EB-1C require qualifying corporate relationships and relevant work abroad. Investor cases may require ownership records and proof of lawful funds.

Creating a U.S. company is not enough. The documents must match the way the business operates, including contracts, banking activity, staffing, payroll, premises, and the applicant’s duties.

Removal and Deportation Defense

Removal defense begins with the Notice to Appear and court record. Entry, immigration history, criminal issues, prior orders and family circumstances may affect available relief.

Relief may include contesting removability, asylum, withholding of removal, CAT protection, cancellation, adjustment or a waiver when available. Missing a hearing risks an in absentia order, while filing deadlines can also be decisive.

Affirmative and Defensive Asylum

Asylum generally requires past persecution or a well-founded fear linked to a protected ground: race, religion, nationality, political opinion or a particular social group. Unsafe conditions alone do not establish that connection.

Form I-589 generally must be filed within one year of the last U.S. arrival. Changed or extraordinary circumstances may justify an exception if the applicable conditions and timing rules are met.

USCIS generally handles affirmative asylum outside removal proceedings; EOIR judges hear defensive asylum in court. Earlier filings, interviews, travel and consistency between testimony and documents may affect either path.

Naturalization and Citizenship Documentation

Form N-400 is used by many permanent residents seeking naturalization. Requirements can involve continuous residence, physical presence, travel, good moral character, criminal and tax history, family obligations and lawful permanent residence.

Citizenship may be acquired at birth through a U.S. citizen parent or derived later under applicable law. Eligible applicants may use Form N-600 to document citizenship already held; it is not a naturalization application.