Going through the US immigration process can be very intimidating. This is especially true when one is in a state such as Texas, which is as cosmopolitan and full of diversity as it is. Particularly when visa applications are for personal, family, or business reasons, it is useful to be aided by an informed visa lawyer in Texas. Here, we are going to provide you with information on which visas you can get, what the most common issues are, and how to get the right visa lawyer for your case.
We will notify you of some of the most frequent questions regarding hiring a visa lawyer in Texas.
Why do you need a visa lawyer in Texas?
Immigration law is famously ambiguous and arbitrary. Texas is a bordering state with a booming economy teeming with immigrants eager to begin anew.
It is where federal rulemaking, state code, and flat policy change become the rule of law. Visa lawyers are not just lawyers. They are master strategists well-versed in:
- Explaining the content of the new immigration law and how it affects your case.
- Keep you from expensive mistakes or delays.
- Represent you when negotiating with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), consulates, and courts.
- Give you peace of mind in a complex process with a lot at stake.
Types of visas that a visa lawyer in Texas can help you with:
A visa lawyer in Texas will handle any type of immigration case. The following is an overview of the most popular categories of visas:
Family-Based Visas:
- Spouse, Parent, Child, or Sibling Visas: To sponsor family members of US citizens or green card holders.
- Fiancé(e) Visas (K-1): To sponsor future spouses of US citizens.
Employment-Based Visas:
- H-1B Visas: For employees of a specialty occupation.
- L-1 Visas: For intra-company transfer of executive/manager or specialist personnel.
- E-1/E-2 Visas: This is for treaty traders/investors.
- O-1 Visas: Alien foreigners with extraordinary ability in science, arts, education, business, or athletics.
- TN Visas: Mexican and Canadian professionals under USMCA.
- EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-5: Permanent work-related residence, exceptional ability, or investment.
Non-immigrant Visas:
- B-1/B-2 Visas: Business visit or transitory tourist travel.
- F-1 Visas: For international students.
- R-1 Visas: For religious workers.
Humanitarian and Special Visas:
- Asylum and Refugee Status: For individuals who fear violence or persecution.
- T & U Visas: For a trafficking victim or a victim of a specific crime.
- VAWA Petitions: For a domestic abuse victim.
The US visa application process in Texas:
The US visa process normally involves taking some of the easiest steps:
- First Consultation: Your visa lawyer in Texas will check your eligibility, set your objective, and suggest the most suitable visas.
- Document Preparation: You are asked to provide and release the required documents. Your visa lawyer verifies for completeness and correctness to prevent unnecessary delay.
- Application Filing: Your visa lawyer applies on your behalf, considering the procedure and timeline.
- Request Processing: Your visa lawyer replies to any RFE required by USCIS on your behalf.
- Interrogation Preparation: Most visa categories are interrogative categories. Your visa lawyer in Texas prepares you for questioning and informs you about what to expect.
- Appeals and Follow-Up: A visa lawyer walks you through motions to reopen or appeals if your application is denied.
Regular issues and how a visa lawyer in Texas can assist you:
Applications for a valid visa are never simply processed. Some of the issues most applicants encounter and how an excellent visa lawyer in Texas will walk you through them are:
- Long Processing Times.
Red tape and delays by USCIS are the order of the day in the visa application process. A visa lawyer will spare you time by preparing your application flawlessly. They will also present the application to the authorities if the need arises.
- Tight Eligibility Requirements.
There are certain requirements in every one of the visa categories, i.e., study, family, or work experience. Your visa lawyer will advise you on whether you qualify and help you put forward adequate evidence to make your application qualify.
- Annual Quotas and Limitations.
There are annual limitations on certain visas, e.g., H-1B, and they are highly competitive. Your qualified visa lawyer will prepare you and give you your best chance.
- Prevailing Wage and Employer Compliance.
Prevailing wage and the Department of Labor for work visas must be furnished by employers. Your visa lawyer in Texas can advise the employers and employees on compliance and how to comply so they will not be rejected or audited.
- Changing or Adjusting Status.
You are already here in the country and want to change your visa status or become a legal permanent resident, it might be a problem. However, a visa lawyer in Texas will deal with the process and present appropriate documents.
- Deportation and Removal Defense.
If you or a family member is at risk of deportation, early legal assistance is critical. Lawyers specializing in removal defense can act on your behalf in court, seek relief methods, and appeal as needed.
- Texas-Specific Immigration Laws and Considerations.
Texas also enacted immigration legislation, such as Senate Bill 4, federalizing immigration enforcement to match enforcement on the local level and prohibiting sanctuary cities.
Texas entry outside of an official port of entry by a statusless alien is criminalized, but is still pending in federal courts.
The visa lawyer in Texas knows the landscape and will work with you through state and federal code to obtain your petition and safeguard your rights.
Hiring a good visa lawyer in Texas:
Most vital to hire is to employ a firm or lawyer who is aware of what they are doing. What to look out for when hiring:
- Specialization: Employ a visa lawyer or firm that specializes in immigration law only to obtain relevant experience.
- Experience: Employ visa lawyers in Texas who have previous records of winning cases, like in your class of visa.
- Personal Service: Your very experienced visa lawyer in Texas will take the time to sit with you and talk through your case with you and determine their strategy from there.
- Fees Transparency: Request clear advance notice of fees.
- Communication: Your visa lawyer will get back to you and alert you in a timely fashion.
- Customer Reviews: Read customer reviews and ratings left by previous clients.
The visa lawyer’s role in business and work immigration:
Texas is a gateway to investment and talent all over the world. Whether it is the Fortune 500 or start-ups, or high-tech employers, foreign talent is needed to drive growth and innovation.
Visa lawyers in Texas have a significant role to play in advising employers on:
- Advising employers regarding the optimum choice of visas to bring in foreign talent.
- PERM filing and management of visa and labor certification petitions.
- Labor and employment law compliance.
- Investor visas, intra-company transferees, and exceptional skill cases.
- Aiding business entrepreneurs and investors in establishing their business in Texas.
The benefits of having a visa lawyer in Texas:
Visa lawyers in Texas are special. They are closely connected to the immigrant community. Law-trained and face-to-face competent, they become competent to:
- Emotional understanding of clients’ issues and concerns.
- Culturally sensitive counsel.
- Specific fact-verification and advocating client’s future/rights.
Get help!
No matter your status as a company, family, or individual, the United States immigration system is complicated. You don’t have to go through it alone. Visa lawyers in Texas can be of great help.
Your visa lawyer in Texas is your advocate in the process of pursuing immigration dreams. Experienced professional advice can overcome past disappointment and start or begin a new business in one of America’s most thrilling states.
The visa lawyer in Texas at Gehi & Associates offers you the voice, vision, and legal guidance it takes to turn your immigration dreams into reality.
With an experienced visa lawyer in your corner, you can take on the system with confidence and build a better tomorrow for yourself in Texas.
Connect with us today!
FAQs on a visa lawyer:
- Who is a visa lawyer in Texas?
A visa lawyer in Texas is one who defends clients at every level of the immigration procedure. This is from selecting the best likely visa, completing and submitting petitions, representing the clients in hearings or appeals, to advising on compliance with federal and state statutes.
- Do I need to hire a lawyer to get a visa in Texas?
It can be accomplished by yourself, but it is difficult, and mistakes are common. A visa lawyer builds your opportunity within the process of creating your petition completely and accurately.
- What is the cost of hiring a visa lawyer?
Charges are determined by case complexity and work involved. Lawyers most frequently offer an initial free consultation to examine your needs and quote for fees.
- What do I take to the initial meeting with a visa lawyer?
Take photocopies of whatever would be helpful (i.e., passports, prior visa petitions, employer information, marriage certificates, etc.), questions, and copies of any immigration letters or notices.
- Will a visa lawyer provide deportation defense?
Yes. Visa lawyers most typically represent clients in removal hearings and file relief as waivers, cancellation of removal, or asylum.
- How long does a US visa take to process?
Processing time varies significantly with the class of visa, USCIS workload, and on a case-by-case basis. Your visa lawyer can give a more accurate estimate based on your case.
- What if my visa application is rejected?
A visa lawyer can examine why it was denied, correct errors, and reapply or appeal in exchange.
- Does Texas immigration law differ from all the rest?
Federal law controls most immigration matters, and border and interior enforcement is statutory. Your case is handled by a visa lawyer familiar with such differences.
- Is a visa replaceable with another in the US?
Yes, generally so. But status or change sometimes is a process and can be pursued further by petitions. You can be advised through it by a visa lawyer in Texas.
- How do I find the most experienced visa lawyer in Texas who is available for my case?
Look out for knowledge in immigration law practice, experience dealing with your type of visa, endorsement by past clients, and willingness to give one-on-one service.
