At Atlanta Family & Immigration Law, our experienced immigration lawyers provide comprehensive immigration services tailored to your unique needs. Our award-winning immigration lawyers have extensive experience assisting with a range of immigration matters in Atlanta and the surrounding areas, from adjustment of status, to applying for naturalization, to investor visas. 

The U.S. immigration process can be challenging to navigate on your own. Call our firm at (678) 679-6415 to schedule a free case evaluation. 

Comprehensive Employment Immigration Solutions 

If you’re facing an employment immigration issue in Georgia, our skilled legal advocates are here to help. We can assist with a variety of employment-based immigration issues, such as: 

• Applying for an employment-based visa
• Temporary non-immigrant work visas
• Permanent employment-based visas
• Labor certifications
• Removal defense
• Visa eligibility 
• Appeals

Types of U.S. Work Visas 

There are multiple ways to acquire lawful residence in the U.S. One of the most common paths is through an employment-based visa. 

The process to apply for a U.S. work visa can be confusing. Not only are there various types of visas, each with its own set of eligibility requirements and conditions, but even small errors can be costly, as one mistake can result in the automatic denial of your application. That’s why it’s imperative to consult with an immigration attorney who can guide your steps throughout the process. 

An experienced legal advocate with an in-depth understanding of immigration laws, processes, and procedures is well-equipped to assist you by: 

1. Fortifying your case with sufficient evidence;
2. Verifying that all paperwork is completed correctly and completely; and
3. Ensuring that all important deadlines are met.

Temporary Non-Immigrant Visas

As its name suggests, temporary non-immigrant visas grant noncitizens permission to live and work in the U.S. for a fixed amount of time. This type of visa is typically issued for purposes such as tourism, business, study, or work. 

In order to obtain a temporary non-immigrant visa, an individual must meet certain eligibility requirements and submit an application to the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. Once approved, the individual will be granted permission to enter the United States for a specified period of time and must abide by all laws and regulations while in the country. 

Additional temporary employment visas, many of which can be renewed to allow for long-term residence in the U.S., include:

• L1 visas for managers and executives
• E-1 treaty trader visas for supervising employees of certain multinational companies
• E-2 treaty investor visas for business owners starting or acquiring U.S. companies
• O-1 visas for individuals with extraordinary ability in the arts, athletics, business, education, or science
• P-1 visas for athletes and entertainers
• H-2B visas for temporary non-specialty employment

Because these employment visas are highly-desirable, it’s a good idea to work with an immigration lawyer to ensure your documentation is accurate and has no mistakes that could cause your application to be set aside in favor of others.

Permanent Immigrant Worker Visas 

A permanent immigrant worker visa, or employment-based green card, allows an immigrant to live and work in the U.S. on a permanent basis as a lawful permanent resident (LPR). 

Eligible applicants must be employed by a U.S. employer and complete all stages of the U.S. immigration process, including medical examinations and background checks. Once granted, the worker can typically stay indefinitely and even sponsor family members to immigrate to the U.S. as well. 

The four categories for an employment-based immigration visas for workers include:

• First preference (EB-1): This category is available to workers with “extraordinary ability” in the arts, education, the sciences, athletics, or business. It also applies to researchers, professors, executives, and managers who meet certain requirements.
• Second preference(EB-2): This category is for workers who have advanced degrees or have demonstrated exceptional ability.  Workers with the right skills can apply for a National Interest Waiver so they do not need a petition from an employer or Labor Certification.
• Third preference(EB-3): This category applies to professionals, skilled workers, and “other” workers. Different qualifications apply to each sub-category, but all workers must have an offer of employment and Labor Certification.
• Fourth preference(EB-4): This final category is for “special immigrants” which includes employees who worked in U.S. foreign service, certain religious workers, and others.

The final preference category for employment-based visas (EB-5) is for investors who supply significant funding for new commercial enterprises. At present, investors must provide between $500,000 to $1 million and produce at least 10 jobs to qualify, but these requirements are subject to change at any time.  

Employment-Based Visas for Students

Immigration laws also offer employment-based visas for students. This visa category is open to students who either want to take vocational studies or be at full-time status. There’s also a category for exchange students.

In the below visa types, “J” generally applies to exchange students, “M” applies to vocational students, and “F” applies to academic students:

• J-1 Exchange visitor
• J-2 Spouse or child of a J-1 student
• M-1 Vocational student
• M-2 Spouse or child of an M-1 student
• M-3 Mexican or Canadian national vocational student who commutes for school
• F-1 Academic student
• F-2 Spouse or child of an F-1 student
• F-3 Mexican or Canadian national academic student who commutes for school

Contact a Top-Rated Immigration Law Firm in Atlanta

Our accomplished immigration attorneys are passionate about advocating for the rights of immigrants in Georgia and abroad. Our firm understands the complexities of immigration laws, which is why we’re committed to helping our clients achieve their immigration goals.

At Atlanta Family & Immigration Law, we understand that no two cases are the same, which is why we approach each case with the personalized attention it deserves. We understand that immigration is a stressful process and our team of experienced lawyers is here to provide the guidance and support you need every step of the way. 

When you partner with us, rest assured that we’ll fight to make the process as efficient and stress-free as possible for you and your loved ones. Reach out to our office to discuss your case with a trusted immigration lawyer.

Our passionate immigration lawyers can assist with a range of immigration matters. We have English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole team members available to assist you. Contact us online or call (678) 679-6415 to learn how we can help.