What does a immigration lawyer do?
Immigration lawyers help people move to, stay in and become citizens of a new country, and help employers hire international staff. Immigration rules are complex and change often, and a refused application can affect future ones, so qualified advice is valuable.
Who can help with US immigration
Because US immigration law is federal, a lawyer licensed in any state can represent you anywhere in the country. Non-lawyer help is only allowed from accredited representatives of organizations recognized by the Department of Justice. Beware of "notarios" or immigration consultants who are not authorized to give legal advice, as they cause many refusals.
Common US matters
- Family-based green cards and fiancé(e) visas.
- Employment visas such as H-1B, L-1 and O-1, and employer sponsorship.
- Naturalization (citizenship).
- Asylum and humanitarian protection.
- Removal (deportation) defense in immigration court. There is no right to a free government-appointed lawyer in immigration court, although non-profit help may be available.
How it works in Europe
EU citizens have free-movement rights across the EU and EEA, but non-EU nationals need visas or residence permits under each country's national rules (or the EU Blue Card scheme for highly qualified workers). Requirements, processing times and language tests vary by country, so look for a lawyer who regularly handles applications in the country you are moving to.
Questions to ask before you hire a immigration lawyer
- How many applications like mine have you handled in the last year?
- Which government fees are on top of your fee?
- What are the weak points in my application, and how will you deal with them?
- If the application is refused, is an appeal or a new application included in your fee?