Visa Services Lawyer in Plano, TX 

Nonimmigrant Visas

These types of visas are issued to individuals who wish to enter, visit, reside, work, or study in the U.S. on a temporary basis. These are individuals who generally do not come here to become permanent residents. Their purposes for entry into this country can vary widely. 

Examples include individuals who come to study in the U.S., intra-company employees transferred here for temporary work in their companies, workers with extraordinary ability in business, the arts, science, education, or athletics, exchange visitors, visitors here seeking medical treatment, media workers, performing artists or entertainers, religious workers, diplomats, NATO personnel, crewmembers, tourists, workers in specialty occupations that require highly-specialized knowledge, investors, skilled workers, unskilled workers, and more. 

U.S employers applying to have foreign nationals enter to temporarily work in their companies must obtain foreign labor certification through the U.S. Department of Labor before they can file a visa application on behalf of their proposed worker. The type of petition you will file and the documentation needed will depend on the type of nonimmigrant visa you wish to obtain.

Immigrant Visas

Immigrant visas have been established for the purpose of emigrating to the U.S. either through a family relationship or through employment. 

Family relationships that have been established to qualify for an immigrant visa include:

• Immediate family members of U.S. citizens (spouses, minor children, and parents)
• Fiancé(e)s intending to marry U.S. citizens and live in the U.S.
• U.S. citizens wishing to adopt a foreign-born orphan
• Certain family members of U.S. citizens (adult children and siblings)
• Certain family members of lawful permanent residents (green card holders) (spouses, minor children, and unmarried adult children)

The above categories are set up on a preference basis as established by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Employment-based immigrant visas can be based on categories similar to those listed under nonimmigrant visas. Foreign nationals and their immediate families who come here to work may seek to remain here on a permanent basis. This can be accomplished by applying for lawful permanent residency (green cards). The foreign national who applies must be eligible for a green card according to the procedures established by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Please visit our Green Card page to learn more about the process.