Chicago Permanent Work Visas Lawyer
Helping Immigrants Seek Legal Employment in the U.S.
There are various paths to citizenship, lawful permanent residency, and legal residency in America. One of the most popular options, however, is an employment visa. About 140,000 of these immigrant visas are issued annually, and they can help skilled workers and their family members obtain lawful presence in the country. Of course, there’s a lot of competition for these documents. That’s why it doesn’t hurt to have a Chicago permanent work visa lawyer on your side.
At Gilliam Law, our legal team understands what it takes to secure an immigrant visa based on employment skills. While getting permission to work in the United States on a temporary basis may be simpler, it doesn’t provide many of the benefits granted to skilled and unskilled workers with a permanent employment visa. To learn if you’re eligible, how to get started, and about alternative options, contact our law firm today for a Free Case Evaluation.
How Do American Permanent Work Visas Work?
America needs workers. At many times over the past few years, there have been more jobs available than U.S. citizens to fill them. When these discrepancies combine with the need for skilled professionals, it becomes clear why the U.S. offers permanent employment visas to certain workers. These visas are essentially a type of green card, and once granted, they provide lawful permanent residency to the holder. Additionally, it typically opens a path to legal residency for a worker’s family.
In most cases, there must be a non-temporary employment offer involved. This shows that the immigrant has work waiting for them. It’s also important to note that an offer from any random company is not sufficient. The employer extending a job offer usually needs to have the appropriate certification from the Department of Labor. This labor certification verifies that the employer is unable to find workers with sufficient skill sets in America — and that the job offer isn’t taking employment away from an American citizen.
Such rules can be complex, so consulting with a Chicago permanent work visa attorney is ideal. Contact Gilliam Law today.
What Permanent Employment Visas Are Available?
To fully understand the application process for obtaining an employment-based green card, it’s first important to recognize the difference between visas. Work visas are not “one size fits all.” An immigration lawyer can better explain which of these categories you may be eligible for, but qualified workers typically fall into the following categories:
First Preference EB-1 Visa
Individuals who have “extraordinary ability” may qualify for an EB-1 visa. This includes scientists, professionals, physicians, athletes, artists, researchers, and academics. No labor certification is required, and family members may apply for admission if the worker has a green card.
Second Preference EB-2 Visa
Professionals with an advanced degree — or its foreign equivalent — may qualify for an EB-2 visa. Individuals may also be eligible if they have a minimum of 10 years in their field or if their employment is in America’s national interest. Most will require labor certification. Family members can apply for admission if the worker has a green card.
Third Preference EB-3 Visa
Workers with a bachelor’s degree — or its foreign equivalent — may be eligible for an EB-3 visa. Laborers may also qualify if they’ve received a non-temporary employment offer from an American employer. Labor certification must be obtained. Certain family members may apply for admission if the worker has a green card.
Fourth Preference EB-4 Visa
The EB-4 visa is broad and applies to non-citizen minors who are wards of American courts, certain religious workers, retired workers from international organizations, and certain other categories. No labor certification is required. It’s possible that the family of the worker may apply for admission.
Fifth Preference EB-5 Visa
Anyone who has invested USD 1.8 million in a commercial enterprise could be eligible for the EB-5 visa. This is known as the Immigrant Investor Program, and it only applies to commercial enterprises with at least 10 full-time American workers. Investment amounts drop to USD 900,000 if the venture is in a targeted employment area. No labor certification is required. Investors and their families can apply for lawful permanent resident status.
Is Military Service Eligible for Permanent Worker Status?
One of the most common questions our Chicago permanent work visa lawyer is asked relates to service in the Armed Forces. After all, the EB-2 visa is often granted to individuals whose work is in the national interest of America. Wouldn’t military service qualify? Unfortunately, this isn’t the case in most instances. The National Interest Waiver typically applies to other types of work. However, this doesn’t mean that military service won’t provide opportunities.
That’s because a foreign national who joins the Armed Forces has an easier path to citizenship than most. This is also true for their families. For instance, a person only needs to have a single day of honorable service before filing for naturalization. Residency requirements can last up to five years for others. There’s also no state-of-residence requirement, and application fees are waived for those who serve in the military and their families.
While military service doesn’t usually qualify a person for an employment-based visa, it shows there are many paths to legal residency in America. Our Chicago permanent work visa lawyer may be able to help. Reach out today for a Free Case Evaluation.
Contact a Chicago Permanent Work Visa Lawyer Today
Whether you’re a teacher, a multinational executive, or a day laborer with extensive experience, America recognizes your skills and may grant you permanent residency status. However, any immigration attorney can attest to the fact that these employment-based green cards are highly competitive. And with only a certain number allowed each year, the federal government recommends applying as soon as possible. However, simple mistakes can derail the entire process.
At Gilliam Law, we work extensively with immigrants who hope to work legally in America. We assist individuals who fall into all preference categories, and if for some reason you don’t qualify, we may be able to help you with alternative paths to lawful residency. The most crucial step is simply to get started. Our Chicago permanent work visa lawyer can handle the difficult work for you. Contact us today at (866) 511-3422 to schedule your Free Case Evaluation.
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