| In today's highly-charged political climate, there are only | | | | Permanent visas are, not surprisingly, known as PERM |
| a handful of issues that share the spotlight with | | | | or PERM labor certification. They are also more |
| immigration. While most of the political debate | | | | difficult to obtain, since the U.S. government places a |
| surrounds illegal immigration, the fallout unfortunately | | | | priority on ensuring that U.S. companies first try to hire |
| affects those who seek to enter the country legally. | | | | qualified U.S. workers. Therefore, the sponsoring |
| That's why a U.S. immigration and visa lawyer is | | | | employer must demonstrate that it has tried to recruit |
| essential to successfully navigating the maze of laws | | | | employees in the U.S. However, for people who are |
| relating to business-based immigration. | | | | able to fill certain positions, it's easier to jump the |
| Temporary and Permanent Business Immigration | | | | hurdles to PERM labor certification. These "Schedule |
| Broadly speaking, business immigration can necessitate | | | | A" occupations include nurses and physical therapists. |
| one of two types of visas: temporary visas (also | | | | The Need for an Attorney |
| known as non-immigrant visas) and permanent | | | | Not only is U.S. immigration law enigmatic, but it is also |
| employment visas (also known as green cards or | | | | in a state of almost constant change. Without an |
| permanent resident cards). | | | | experienced H-1B visa lawyer or a green card lawyer |
| There are several types of temporary visas, but two | | | | at your side, it's nearly impossible to work your way |
| of the most common types of business visas are the | | | | through the legal system and attain a successful |
| H-1B visa and the L-1 visa. The H-1B visa is often the | | | | outcome. Years can pass and you can throw money |
| first step toward permanent immigration, and allows | | | | down the drain in a series of failed attempts to acquire |
| people to come into the U.S. to work in a wide variety | | | | the visa you need. |
| of fields. It's important to note that an H-1B visa is only | | | | Keep in mind, though, that not all immigration attorneys |
| available to people who have a sponsoring employer in | | | | are equally effective for all cases. If you're in need of |
| the U.S., and only to people who have at least the | | | | a H-1B visa or a PERM labor certification, it's worth |
| equivalent of a Bachelor's degree and who will be | | | | your while to seek out a firm that specializes in |
| working in positions that require that level of education. | | | | business immigration. You should also be on the |
| The L-1 visa is typically used by employees of | | | | lookout for a firm that has a high approval rating on the |
| multinational companies that are headquartered outside | | | | certifications they file. The attorneys at the firm you |
| of the U.S. but that also have offices in the U.S. It is | | | | select should be committed to continuing education and |
| specifically designated for managers, executives, and | | | | have up-to-date knowledge about the latest trends in |
| specialists who have worked for the sponsoring | | | | both statutory law and case law. Finally, they should |
| company at least one year within the previous three | | | | place a premium on client service, and pride |
| years. | | | | themselves on their creative problem-solving ability. |