Montgomery County Visa Lawyer
People in MoCo who are trying to obtain a U.S. visa for themselves or to assist a family member or employee who needs a visa often find the process complicated and frustrating. The requirements seem to change all too frequently, and one mistake or missing piece of information can cause tremendous delays or even cause an application to be denied.
A Montgomery County visa lawyer may be able to help. A determined immigration attorney familiar with petitions, applications, interviews and other parts of the visa process can provide representation throughout the proceedings or step in to assist when someone encounters a problem or delay.
The Visa Application Process
The process of applying for a visa varies somewhat according to the type of visa sought and the applicant’s connection to the U.S. The government issues both temporary visas and permanent immigrant visas. Contact a MoCo County visa lawyer for help with the application process.
Temporary Visas
Those seeking a nonimmigrant visa in certain categories may apply online and then go through an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate. For instance, “F” and “M” student visas and “J” visitor visas are handled in this fashion. However, temporary employment visas are handled differently, with a process similar to an employment-based immigrant visa.
Immigrant Visas
Those seeking permanent visas will usually need to have a connection to the U.S., either through family or through an employer. The first step in the visa application process will be for the sponsor employer or family member to file a Petition for Alien Relative or Alien Worker. This form is filed with the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The petitioner must demonstrate that the requirements have been met and the prospective immigrant has the right connections and qualifications.
After USCIS approves the petition, the visa application process begins with the U.S. State Department’s National Visa Center (NVC). The application may be processed immediately by NVC if there is a visa available in the employment category, but if there is a delay due to numerical quotas then the intending immigrant will have to wait before continuing with the Immigrant Visa Application.
When the application becomes current and is processed, and all requirements are met and all documentation is appropriate, the final stage in the process will include an interview.
Limitations on Immigrant Visas
By law, the U.S. may only issue a limited number of immigrant visas each year. There are many categories of immigrant visas, with the majority based on family relationship or employment. Each category has a maximum number of visas issued per year. However, immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are not subject to numerical limitations. Immediate relatives are those who can establish their relationship as a spouse, minor child or parent of a U.S. citizen.
Applicants who are not immediate relatives and are in other categories may have to wait, particularly if they are in a lower priority category. In addition, there are also limits on the number of visas that may be issued to foreign nationals from countries with high rates of immigration to the U.S., so that can cause the wait to be even longer.
How a MoCo County Visa Attorney Can Help
Both USCIS and the State Department can be very particular about the documentation required to establish qualifications for a visa. It is far better for an applicant to submit information properly at the beginning rather than to wait for processing on a petition or application to stall while correct information is located.
A knowledgeable Montgomery County visa lawyer can help ensure that requirements all fulfilled to help avoid problems. Or, if a difficulty arises, an immigration attorney may investigate and determine the course of action that can lead to a positive outcome. To learn how a visa lawyer can help in your situation, call now for a consultation.