Business Immigration Lawyer & the Laws

A business immigration lawyer can help company owners and individuals wade through the mazes concerning current laws. Many employers want to hire workers from other countries as temporary or permanent employees and will need legal guidance in how to accomplish this. In order to do this legally, there are many hoops that employers and those they’re hiring must jump through. Depending on what the new-hire will be doing, specific visas and paperwork must be completed and remain on file. For example, professionals with college educations have a certain type of clearance and those with less schooling have a different type. Here are some things to think about:

Business owners-to-be:
- Green cards for business owners: Another name for these investment based cards are 5th Preference Green Cards. If a foreign national was attempting to enter the U.S. in order to expand or start a business, he or she would be bringing money into the coffers of the United States and would thus be eligible for this preferential card. These documents are given on a provisional basis for the initial two years. After that, the individual would have to file additional forms in order to become a citizen or permanent resident.

Visas for hiring employees:
- Australian nationals: There is a document called an E-3 which is specifically designed for professional individuals immigrating from the continent of Australia. It is a visa which is given for a two year increment. Spouses and children are also allowed in as dependents. A Green Card may be issued as well if a U.S. employer serves as a sponsor.

- Professional workers: Those with professional degrees and advanced educational levels receive an H1B document to allow them into the country. Many specialized arenas require the expertise of those of foreign nationals. This document must be re-issued every three years and may be extended, as well. Green cards are also available to professional workers who have an employer willing to be a sponsor.

- Business docs: The B-1 document allows foreign born individuals to enter the U.S. for visits but not to be paid for their work. Activities that would be allowed with a B-1 include teaching workshops, attending trade shows or events and being a speaker at a forum.

- 5 governmental agencies involved: There are 5 United States agencies that oversee immigration issues. They are 1) the Department of Homeland Security, 2) State Dept., 3) Dept. of Labor, 4) Department of Justice, and 5) Department of Health and Human Services. Homeland Security is a main enforcer and is divided into categories of U.S. Citizenship, Immigration Services, Customs Enforcement and Border Control.

Wading through the complexities of obtaining visas, green cards, permanent residency or temporary status can be a legal challenge with out the assistance of a business immigration lawyer. It’s crucial that all i’s be dotted and t’s crossed during the process or stiff fines and penalties can result. In fact, the ramifications and regulations continue to be expanded and altered, so much that a competent and experienced business immigration lawyer must brought into the loop in order to have a satisfactory outcome for all concerned.