Who we help with work and business visas
Business immigration covers two groups of people who usually arrive at our office with the same question: what is the fastest legal way to make this work?
On one side are employers. Small and mid-size companies, restaurants, construction firms, IT consultancies, clinics and nonprofits that have found the right person and need a lawful way to hire or keep them. On the other side are the professionals, managers and investors themselves, who often need help understanding what an employer must do and what they can do on their own.
- Employers sponsoring a foreign professional for a specialty role
- Investors and entrepreneurs who want to open or buy a business in the U.S.
- Companies abroad transferring a manager or specialist to a U.S. office
- Researchers, artists, athletes and executives with a strong record in their field
- Professionals already in the U.S. who need a change of status, extension or employer change
How employment based immigration works, step by step
Immigration law is federal, so the process is the same whether you are in Virginia, Maryland or DC. Most cases follow a similar path, even though the forms and timing change by category.
First, we identify the category. Some options are temporary (nonimmigrant) visas such as the E-2, L-1 and H-1B. Others lead directly to permanent residence (a green card), such as EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3.
Second, someone files a petition. For temporary work visas the employer files Form I-129 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). For green card categories the employer, or in some cases the worker alone, files Form I-140. Some categories require a step with the Department of Labor first: a labor condition application for H-1B, or PERM labor certification for most EB-2 and EB-3 cases.
Third, the person gets the status. If they are already in the U.S. in valid status, USCIS may approve a change or extension of status. If they are abroad, they attend a visa interview at a U.S. consulate. Spouses and children can usually be included as dependents.
What a business immigration lawyer at USG Law Group does for you
Our job is to make the government's decision easy. That starts with an honest strategy conversation and continues until the approval notice, and often beyond it.
We review the business, the role and the person's background and tell you which category fits and which does not. We prepare the petition, the employer support letter and the evidence package, and we file it. If USCIS sends a request for evidence (RFE), we respond. If a consular interview is required, we prepare you for it.
After approval we help you stay in compliance: amendments when a job changes, extensions before status expires, and planning for a green card when the time is right.
The main routes we handle
Each of these has its own page on our site with more detail. Here is the short version.
We also discuss PERM labor certification with EB-2 and EB-3 for employers ready to sponsor a permanent position, and the TN category for certain Canadian and Mexican professionals, when those options fit your situation.
- E-2 treaty investor visa: for nationals of a treaty country who invest in and direct a real U.S. business (see our E-2 Visa page)
- EB-1: permanent residence for people of extraordinary ability, outstanding researchers and multinational managers (see our EB-1 Visa page)
- L-1 intracompany transfer: for managers and specialists moving from a related company abroad to a U.S. office, including new offices (see our L-1 Visa page)
- H-1B specialty occupation: for professionals with at least a bachelor's degree in a role that requires it (see our H-1B Visa page)
Common problems that slow business cases down
Most denials and delays we see come from a few avoidable issues. A category that does not match the actual job. A thin record of the relationship between the foreign company and the U.S. company. A business plan that does not show how the company will support the role. Wage or job description problems in the labor condition application. Gaps in status while a petition is pending.
Prior immigration history also matters. Overstays, prior denials or unauthorized work may limit options or require a waiver. These issues are often manageable, but only if we know about them early. A free consultation is the right place to lay everything on the table.
Why businesses and professionals choose USG Law Group
Attorney Marianela Uribe spent six years as in-house counsel for a multinational company before moving to the United States, so she understands how businesses make decisions and what owners need from their lawyer. She is an immigrant herself and leads a fully bilingual team. She is licensed in Maryland and Virginia and serves clients in Washington DC.
Clients tell us that their cases were prepared sooner than other offices had quoted, and that we explain every step in detail. We offer evening, weekend and virtual appointments, payment plans, and a free initial consultation in English or Spanish.
