A visa is a legal document that gives a person permission to travel across the border into the US.

A non-immigrant visa typically comes with the permission to stay in the United States for a set amount of time or so long as certain requirements are met.

Non-immigrant visas (or NIVs) are appropriate for people wanting to enter the US for a specific reason, and they can be for a single entry or multiple entries so long as the conditions are met.

NIV applicants, with a few exceptions, are said to have non-immigrant intent, which means that they plan to abide by the rules of their visa and leave the USA at the end of their permitted stay.

We can help with your:
- Fiancé(e) Visa (K Visa)
- Extraordinary Ability Visa (O Visa)
- Visitor (Tourist/Business) Visa (B Visa)

Unlike a non-immigrant visa, an immigrant visa (IV) allows a person to enter the US with the intent to stay permanently. Rather than come with restrictions or a time limit like NIVs, an IV converts to Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status on its first use. The LPR card is also known as a Green Card.

To be eligible for a US Green Card, the applicant typically must have exceptional circumstances (such as qualify through the refugee program or the diversity lottery), a qualifying family relationship (for example, spouse of a US citizen), or qualifying employment/investment.

From outside the US, applicants must have (1) a petition approved in the US, (2) screening at the National Visa Center (NVC), and (3) an interview at the US Consulate. This process is called consular processing.

If both the qualifying US relative and the beneficiary are already inside the US, the adjustment of status (from the beneficiary’s old status to LPR) process may be possible.

We can help with your:
- Immediate relative (US citizen’s spouse, unmarried child/stepchild under 21, or parent) consular processing or adjustment of status
- Family-based (married child/stepchild, adult son/daughter/stepchild, sibling) consular processing or adjustment of status
- Diversity Lottery (Green Card Lottery) consular processing
- Questions about maintaining or abandoning US permanent residency

US citizens who have citizenship in at least one other country can renounce their US citizenship. While certain actions trigger US citizenship renunciation, the most common is making a formal application with the local US consulate for a Certificate of Loss of Nationality (CLN).

We have a variety of ways to help you through renouncing your US citizenship.

Note: We do not provide tax advice, but we will provide you with referrals to get the tax advice essential to the renunciation decision.

US citizenship can be issued at birth, passed by legal relationship, acquired, or applied for through naturalization.

For those living outside the US with US citizen ancestors, the citizenship determination depends on several factors, including grandparents and parents, parents’ marital status, date of birth, and time their ancestors spent in the United States. The steps to document or acquire US citizenship through an ancestor also vary by circumstance and the age of the person in question.

We can help you:
- Determine whether you/your child(ren) have US citizenship
- Acquire and/or document US citizenship

There are a variety of ways that a visa applicant could be found inadmissible to the US - from health to financial to criminal to past immigration violations. Likewise, there are various reasons why a visa applicant may be denied.

This may not be the end of your journey.

Some inadmissibilities can be waived (officially overlooked) through a formal process. Waiver eligibility and procedure vary by the type of visa and circumstances of the inadmissibility.

Whether you’ve been found inadmissible, been denied a visa, or want to assess your options in light of a criminal charge or past immigration violation, get in touch to have a consultation and discuss your options.

Are you uncertain where your needs or circumstance fit? Or do you need help with a US visa, immigration, or citizenship matter not described here? Please get in touch. If your circumstances fall within our expertise, we’d love to help you work out your situation. Where possible, we will provide introductions to other reputable professionals in areas we don’t serve.