Immigration
Zervic Law Office has experience in handling a wide variety of immigration matters. Successful results have been achieved for both immigrants who seek permanent residence (also known as a "green card") and non-immigrants who wish to obtain status to stay in the United States on a temporary basis. The immigration laws of the United States are a complex set of rules governing who is allowed to enter and live in the United States. They involve a great amount of paperwork and documentation. An experienced attorney will help to ensure that the process proceeds smoothly and as quickly as possible, and that the deadlines set by the USCIS are met and appointments are kept.
Permanent Residence
There are two primary methods of obtaining permanent residence in the United States, by being sponsored by a U.S. employer who wishes to hire you, or by having a family member who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident file a petition for you. The law also provides several other methods of obtaining green cards, such as asylum and the diversity visa lottery.Employment-based immigration is divided into several categories, which for the most part depend on the type of job that is being offered to the immigrant and the immigrant's level of skill. The first category covers the most highly skilled researchers, professors and other professionals of extraordinary ability. In other categories, foreign workers with advanced degrees must obtain labor certification to show that no suitable U.S. Citizen, permanent resident or work-authorized nonimmigrant is available, and that the wage being offered is appropriate according to market conditions. Additional categories provide that permanent residence may be granted to religious workers and foreign investors, under specific circumstances.
Family-based immigration involves a petition by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to bring a close family member to the United States to live forever. A fairly common type of case in this category is when a citizen of the U.S. marries a foreign national. In such a case, it is possible to adjust status to permanent resident provided the foreigner made a legal entry into the U.S. The immigrant must also have a sponsort, so that the government is assured that new resident of the U.S. will not need to resort to public welfare benefits on account of poverty. The American sponsoring the immigrant will have to pledge to support the immigrant and pay back any benefits paid out of the public treasury. Also, in this marriage-based green card petition, the immigrant can obtain permission to work legally in the U.S. while the petition is pending.
If you are intending to marry a foreign national, it is adviseable to speak with an attorney in advance of marrying, or planning a wedding.
Processing times can vary based on a number of factors.
Citizenship
Citizenship confers full rights on an individual that are not enjoyed by permanent residents. After you have been a permanent resident for five years (or three, if the green card holder is married to a U.S. citizen), you will be eligible to apply for citizenship. The requirements for citizenship are that you have a fair working knowledge of the English language and American history, government and culture, that you will be loyal to the United States, and that you are an individual of "good moral character." If an applicant has a criminal history, then this may prevent naturalization.Nonimmigrant Visas
A visa is a document authorizing an individual to enter a country. They confer status for a limited duration, and at the end of the duration, they must be renewed or changed if the law allows, or the visitor should leave the U.S. There are literally dozens of categories covering a multitude of reasons for being in the United States, including skilled wokers, corporate managers, students, fiancees, athletes, journalists, religious workers, and dependent family members of nonimmigrants in these categories. By far the largest category of visa issued is B-2, tourist for pleasure.We provide:
- Free, no-obligation consultation
- Downtown Kalamazoo location
- Flexible payment options
- Years of experience
- Handling of cases in Illinois and Michigan