Columbia Immigration Lawyer in Chicago

Guidance for Colombian Immigration to the U.S.

Many individuals from Colombia dream of coming to the United States to pursue new opportunities or reunite with family members. However, navigating the complex U.S. immigration system can be a daunting task for anyone who is unfamiliar with the issues they will need to address and the legal requirements they will need to meet. If you are considering immigrating to the United States from Colombia, or if you are looking to sponsor a Columbian immigrant for a visa or Green Card, it is crucial to understand your options and seek guidance from an experienced immigration attorney. At Khan Nayyar & Associates, LLC, our dedicated team has extensive experience helping clients navigate through the immigration process successfully.

Family-Based Immigration

One common pathway for immigration is through family-sponsored petitions. If an immigrant has close relatives who are U.S. citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), they may receive sponsorship from a family member for an immigrant visa. Immigrants who may qualify for family-based visas fall into two main categories:

• Immediate relatives: This category includes spouses of U.S. citizens, unmarried children who are under 21 years old, and parents of adult U.S. citizens. Widows or widowers of U.S. citizens may also qualify for Immediate Relative visas if they were married for at least two years before their spouse's death.
• Family Preference categories: These include unmarried adult children (over 21) of U.S. citizens; spouses and unmarried children (under 21) of lawful permanent residents; married children of U.S. citizens; and brothers/sisters of adult U.S. citizens.

Immediate Relative visas or IR visas will usually be immediately available, as long as all requirements have been met by immigrants and sponsors. Family Preference visas or F visas, on the other hand, are available in limited quantities. Since there will only be a specific number of F visas issued each year, they are issued based on an order of preference, and family members may need to wait a significant amount of time before visas will become available.

Employment-Based Immigration

Columbian immigrants who do not have close family members who are U.S. citizens or Green Card holders may be able to receive authorization to come to the United States through employment-based immigration. The United States offers a number of different visa categories based on a person's specific job skills, education levels, and professional experience. Employers may sponsor foreign employees for different types of immigrant visas, including:

• EB-1: This category is reserved for individuals with extraordinary abilities in science, arts, education, business, or athletics, as well as outstanding professors and researchers and multinational managers and executives.
• EB-2: These visas may be available for professionals holding advanced degrees or individuals with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business fields.
• EB-3: This classification applies to skilled workers with at least two years of training or experience, professionals who hold bachelor's degrees, and unskilled workers when qualified U.S. workers are unavailable.
• EB-4: This category encompasses religious workers, certain broadcasters associated with international media organizations, employees or former employees of the U.S. government, and certain other types of workers.

At Khan Nayyar & Associates, LLC, we can help immigrants understand whether they qualify for different types of employment-based visas, including EB-2 visas with national interest waivers. We can also help employers and employees apply for H-1B visas that will allow immigrants with specialized skills and high levels of education and achievement to live and work in the United States on a temporary basis.

Green Card Applications

While a visa will allow a person to enter the United States, many immigrants will want to take steps to ensure that they can continue living in the country on a permanent basis. Depending on the type of visa a person receives, they may be immediately eligible for a Green Card that will recognize them as a lawful permanent resident. Immigrants who receive authorization to visit the U.S. temporarily may need to take additional steps to qualify for an adjustment of status. The attorneys of Khan Nayyar & Associates, LLC can provide guidance on the procedures that will need to be followed when applying for a Green Card. If necessary, we can help immigrants apply for waivers of inadmissibility or take other steps to address concerns about legal issues that may prevent them from receiving a visa or Green Card.

Contact Our Chicago Columbia Immigration Lawyers

The process of obtaining a family-based or employment-based visa, qualifying for a Green Card, and resettling in the United States can be complex. At Khan Nayyar & Associates, LLC, our immigration attorneys have the knowledge and experience needed to help Columbian immigrants navigate these procedures correctly. We understand the concerns that immigrants, family members, and employers may face, and we are dedicated to helping people from Columbia resolve these issues and ensure that they can live and work in the U.S. To learn more about our immigration services, contact us today at 630-529-9377.