Opportunities for US Visas,
Green Cards, and Citizenship

The ways to get legal immigration status in the United States depend on several factors, including the purpose of the visit, length of stay, and relationship with a family member or employer. Of course, your eligibility for a given category also depends upon personal factors, including background (criminal, educational, employment, more) and immigration history.

US Visas

A visa is a document that gives a person permission to travel across the border into the USA. Visas fall into one of two categories: non-immigrant and immigrant.

Non-immigrant visas

These are for people wanting to enter the United States for a short or specific amount of time. Some non-immigrant visas (“NIV”) will come with a single entry to the US and others allow the visa holder to have multiple entries. An NIV applicant is said to have non-immigrant intent: plans to return to their home country after the visa period. A few select categories of NIV allow the applicant to change intent or have dual intent to eventually stay in the US permanently.

Examples of non-immigrant visas that we handle include:

  • F, J, and M Student Visas

  • J and Q Exchange Visas

  • B Tourist Visas

  • K Fiancé Visas

Immigrant visas

These are for people wanting to emigrate to the USA and stay permanently. In order to apply for an immigrant visa (IV), there must be exceptional circumstances or a family or employment relationship that qualifies under US immigration law. To simplify, the process involves a sponsoring employer or family member filing a petition on behalf of the person(s) wanting to immigrate to the United States.

We handle immigrant visas based upon family relationships and the diversity lottery (a.k.a. Green Card Lottery).

US Permanent Residence
(US Green Card)

Lawful permanent residence (also known as a “Green Card” or “LPR”) allows a person to legally stay in the USA for the long term and have access to certain rights and responsibilities.

LPR status can be lost in some circumstances, including after committing certain crimes or spending extensive time outside of the USA.

We represent people seeking a green card through:

  • Family Relationships (spouse, child, parent, sibling)

  • Diversity/Green Card Lottery


We advise US permanent residents on:

  • Understanding their rights and responsibilities

  • Maintaining LPR Status

  • Abandoning LPR Status

US Citizenship

Citizenship is the only legal US immigration status that comes with a US passport, right to vote, permanent rights to live and work in the USA, and eligibility to hold certain offices. It also comes with significant responsibilities.

A person can acquire US citizenship through birth in the United States, birth abroad to parents who meet certain criteria, and naturalization after holding LPR status for a period of time and meeting eligibility requirements. Some people are US citizens without realizing it.

US citizenship can also be renounced through an official process.

We handle:

  • Accidental US Citizenship

  • US Citizenship Renunciation

  • Naturalization

  • Register Birth of Child Abroad

US Consular Services

US citizens living abroad use their local embassy or consulate to access services for US citizens. Some of these services are straight-forward and others are complicated.

We help US citizens living in New Zealand access consular services including:

  • Renouncing US Citizenship

  • Proving US Citizenship

  • Registering Birth Abroad

  • Renewing US Passports

FAQs

  • The first step in working together is to schedule a consultation, which is $300 NZD (GST included). This includes review of intake paperwork and documents as well as a meeting to talk with you about your case. You can expect to have a good idea of your options and the next steps after the consultation. You should not expect to have your case solved by the end of the consultation.

    After that, the cost depends on the unique circumstances of your situation.

  • The first step is scheduling a consultation. During this time, I will gather as much relevant information as possible to be able to give you accurate advice on next steps and to quote accurate prices. You’ll also get a feel for my approach and whether you’d like to work with me. After the consultation, we can each determine whether we’d like to work together further.

    We are a boutique practice and may have waitlists at times. This allows us to give superior service to a limited number of clients at a time.

  • 1 - I have the professional background capable of giving you a positive result. That includes a lengthy education culminating in a Juris Doctor, years of experience working on a variety of immigration cases, and connection with educational and professional resources through AILA and other professional networks.

    2 - My practice is boutique: we do US immigration law and only US immigration law. I invest all my professional growth in this space. And, as a small firm, I take a limited number of cases so that I can give each client the attention they deserve.

    3 - Immigration is a big part of my personal life, too. I met my Kiwi partner when he was in the US on an H-1B, and we traveled the journey of his immigration case together. More recently, I became an immigrant myself when I moved my life and family to New Zealand. I know how personal this work is, and I promise to handle you and your case with care.

    4 - Because of my lived experience, I am familiar with both American and Kiwi culture, understanding the nuance of customs and language in both places. This makes me uniquely qualified to prepare and advise my clients going to the USA from New Zealand.

  • When you handle your own case or rely upon (often incorrect) information online, you have to navigate a complicated process at the mercy of the government officials reviewing your case.

    When you work with me, I explain various options before guiding you to the best choice for your goals and circumstances. I’ll explain the legal stuff and also the practical stuff…because moving to the US is a significant undertaking.

    I’ll be your guide through your journey, handle interactions with the government, prepare you to anticipate what’s coming next, and save you a lot of time and frustration in the process.

  • You’re not alone in being in this situation. It depends on several factors. The best thing you can do is get a copy of the paperwork from your past arrest(s) and/or conviction(s) and schedule a consultation with me. We’ll go over your unique situation, and I’ll advise you on what options you have.

  • We are often able to advise on consular services not explicitly listed. Please reach out, and we’ll let you know.

  • Probably. Many services are done virtually and electronically, and we can work with clients around the world. If in doubt, feel free to reach out.