Navigating Employers and Employees Through the Process
Whether you want to work in and immigrate into the United States or hire a foreign national to work at your U.S. business, it is in your interests to work with an experienced immigration lawyer who can guide you through this complex and potentially frustrating process.
I am Richard M. Green, an Orange County employment immigration attorney serving clients in California and worldwide. I am experienced at assisting employers and employees through each step of the employment-based immigration process, including the following:
- Nonimmigrant work visa: Typically, when an employer wants to hire someone who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, that person will initially be hired on a temporary nonimmigrant work visa. The most common of these visas are the H1-B and L-1.
- Labor certification: Once an employer decides to sponsor an employee for lawful permanent residence, the usual first step is labor certification under the Program Electronic Review Management (PERM) system, administered by the Department of Labor.
- Immigration petition: Once an employee has been approved through the PERM labor certification process, his or her employer can file an I-140 immigration petition. Once this petition is approved, the employee will be eligible to apply for lawful permanent residence.
- Adjustment of status: The easiest way for an employee who is already in the U.S. on a nonimmigrant visa to apply for lawful permanent residence (green card status) is with an I-485 adjustment of status petition. In some cases, this petition can be filed along with the I-140 immigration petition.
When I am retained in an employment-based immigration matter, I typically represent both the employer and the employee jointly, guiding both parties through their respective roles in the process. I welcome inquiries from both employers and prospective immigrants.
All too often, employers pass up the opportunity to hire and retain the most qualified candidates because they do not wish to get involved with the immigration system. By taking this complex work off of my clients' shoulders, I help them overcome these concerns.
Contact a Los Angeles Work Visa Lawyer at 714-968-1670
Since I began practicing immigration law more than a decade ago, I have helped clients in a wide range of industries successfully obtain employment-based visas and green cards. To schedule a free initial consultation, please contact my office at 714-968-1670 or by e-mail.
