Dallas Employment Immigration Lawyer

Employment-based immigration is a vital pathway for businesses to access global talent and for individuals to build rewarding careers in the United States. At John W. Lawit, LLC, our Dallas employment immigration lawyers offer trusted legal counsel to employers and professionals navigating this complex area of immigration law.

Whether your company needs to sponsor foreign workers or you’re an individual seeking a work visa or employment-based green card, our firm provides personalized, results-oriented guidance. We handle everything from visa petitions and labor certifications to compliance and adjustment of status, ensuring each step is managed with precision and care.

With decades of experience and a deep understanding of immigration regulations, we are committed to helping you achieve your employment immigration goals efficiently and with confidence.

Services Offered by Our Dallas Employment Immigration Attorneys

At John W. Lawit, LLC, our Dallas employment immigration attorneys assist clients with a variety of nonimmigrant visas, ensuring businesses and individuals can meet their employment goals. Our services include:

• H-1B Visas: For professionals in specialty occupations like IT specialists, engineers, or doctors. The H-1B process involves a competitive lottery due to annual caps, making timely filing critical.
• L-1 Visas: For intracompany transferees moving to a U.S. office in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge role after working abroad for the same company for at least one year. This is ideal for multinational companies.
• O-1 Visas: For individuals with extraordinary ability in fields like science, arts, or business, requiring proof of achievements like awards.
• TN Visas: For Canadian and Mexican professionals under the USMCA agreement, allowing work in roles like accountants or scientists.
• E-3 Visas: For Australian nationals in specialty occupations, similar to the H-1B but with a separate cap.

Dallas’s thriving economy in technology, healthcare, and finance attracts global talent. Its business-friendly environment demands skilled professionals, but complex immigration laws require experienced help.

John W. Lawit, LLC serves Dallas, ensuring compliance and success. We also guide clients through the complex process of obtaining permanent residency through employment-based green card categories, detailed below.

Employment-Based Green Card Categories

For those seeking permanent residency, John W. Lawit, LLC offers comprehensive support for all employment-based green card categories, ensuring a clear path to long-term success in the U.S. These categories include:

EB-1: Priority Workers

The EB-1 visa is for individuals with extraordinary ability in athletics, science, business, arts, or education; outstanding professors and researchers; or multinational executives and managers. It requires evidence like international awards and often has shorter wait times due to high standards.

EB-2: Professionals with Advanced Degrees

The EB-2 visa targets professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability in sciences, arts, or business, including physicians in underserved areas. Most cases need a job market test, though a National Interest Waiver can skip this for work benefiting the U.S.

EB-3: Skilled and Unskilled Workers

The EB-3 visa is for skilled workers with at least two years of experience, professionals with a bachelor’s degree, or unskilled workers filling labor shortages. It often involves job market tests and longer wait times for some countries.

EB-4: Special Immigrants

The EB-4 visa covers special immigrants like religious ministers, certain physicians, or military personnel serving overseas. Its diverse criteria require specialized documentation.

EB-5: Immigrant Investors

The EB-5 visa is for investors contributing significant capital to U.S. businesses creating at least 10 full-time jobs. It offers a direct path to permanent residency for investors and their families.

These preference categories are governed by specific eligibility rules and filing procedures established by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

How to Get a Green Card Through Employment

Securing a green card through employment is a clear process with multiple steps. At John W. Lawit, LLC, we make it simple for businesses and individuals in Dallas to achieve permanent residency.

Here’s how it works:

• Find the Right Category: We review your skills and job to pick the right green card category (EB-1 to EB-5). Each has unique rules, like advanced degrees for EB-2 or investment for EB-5.
• Get a Job Market Test (if Needed): For EB-2 and EB-3, employers must show no U.S. workers are available using a job market test from the Department of Labor. We handle this to ensure accuracy.
• Submit Form I-140: Your employer (or you, for EB-1 or EB-2 with a National Interest Waiver) files Form I-140 with USCIS to prove your eligibility. We prepare all documents carefully.
• Apply for Permanent Residency: If in the U.S., you file Form I-485 to stay during processing (adjustment of status). If abroad, you apply at a U.S. embassy (embassy processing). We guide you through both.
• Receive Your Green Card: After approval, you get your green card to live and work in the U.S. permanently. We assist with final steps like biometrics or interviews.

Benefits of Obtaining an Employment-Based Green Card

A green card through employment changes your life, offering freedom and security. Imagine working for any Dallas employer without visa worries or bringing your family to the U.S. John W. Lawit, LLC helps you gain these benefits:

• Permanent Residency: Live and work in the U.S. without renewing visas.
• Job Freedom: Choose any employer or industry, unlike work visas tied to one company.
• Social Benefits: Access Social Security, Medicare, and some public programs for financial support.
• Education Access: Attend schools or colleges at in-state tuition rates, saving money.
• Family Sponsorship: Bring your spouse and children under 21 to the U.S. with their own green cards. We help with these petitions.
• Path to Citizenship: Apply for U.S. citizenship after five years (or three if married to a U.S. citizen), gaining voting rights and a U.S. passport.

Understanding Visa Availability and Employment Visa Wait Times

Wait times for green cards depend on visa availability, which can affect your plans. Our Dallas immigration law firm helps you understand and navigate this process. Here’s what you need to know:

How Visa Availability Works

The U.S. Department of State’s Visa Bulletin shows when you can apply for a green card based on your filing date when your Form I-140 was submitted. When your date is current, you can move forward.

Employment Visa Wait Times

The U.S. offers a limited number of employment-based visas each year, causing delays for high-demand countries like India and China, where wait times can be several years for EB-2 and EB-3. For example, a Dallas professional from India may wait longer than others.

We explore faster options like EB-1 or temporary visas to keep you on track.

Monitoring the Visa Bulletin

Check the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Bulletin monthly for updates. Our attorneys monitor changes and alert you when you can file.

Next Steps When Your Date is Current

When your filing date is current, file Form I-485 (if in the U.S.) or apply at a U.S. embassy (if abroad). We ensure your application is ready to avoid delays.

Our firm keeps you informed and prepared for visa availability.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Employment-Based Immigration

Navigating employment-based immigration can be tricky, and mistakes can delay or derail your case. John W. Lawit, LLC, helps you avoid these pitfalls for a smooth process. Here are key errors to watch for:

• Incorrect or Late Petitions: Submitting Form I-129 or Form I-140 with errors or missing deadlines, like for the H-1B lottery, can lead to rejections or delays. We review documents and track deadlines for accuracy.
• Wrong Visa Category: Choosing the wrong visa, like EB-2 instead of EB-3, wastes time. We assess your qualifications to pick the right path.
• Ignoring Job Requirements: Employers must meet wage and job standards. Non-compliance risks audits. We ensure all rules are followed.
• Not Checking Visa Updates: Missing Visa Bulletin changes can delay green card applications. We monitor updates for you.

Avoiding these mistakes saves time and stress. Our team provides skilled guidance to keep your case on track.

How to Prepare for Your Dallas Immigration Consultation

Preparing for your consultation with an immigration lawyer in Dallas ensures you get the most out of the meeting. At John W. Lawit, LLC, we make the process easy and effective.

Here’s how to get ready:

• Gather Key Documents: Bring your passport, job offer letter, resume, educational degrees, and any immigration documents (e.g., current visas or petitions). These help us understand your situation.
• List Your Questions: Write down concerns, such as visa options, timelines, or costs. This ensures we address all your needs during the consultation.
• Know Your Goals: Be clear about whether you want a temporary work visa, a green card, or family sponsorship. This helps us tailor our advice.
• Understand Your Job Details: For employers, provide the job description and requirements. For individuals, share your work history and skills. This aids in choosing the right visa category.
• Schedule Promptly: Book your consultation early to start your case sooner. Contact us via our contact page to get started.

How a Dallas Work Visa Lawyer Can Help You

A Dallas work visa lawyer from John W. Lawit, LLC simplifies the visa process by:

• Assessing Eligibility: Finding the right visa for your skills and job.
• Preparing Documents: Filing forms like Form I-129 for work visas or Form I-140 for green cards accurately.
• Handling Job Market Tests: Ensuring compliance with theS. Department of Labor for required tests.
• Managing Audits or Denials: Representing you during USCIS audits or appeals.
• Staying Updated: Keeping up with immigration law changes to maximize success.

Why Choose Our Dallas Work Visa Immigration Attorneys

At John W. Lawit, LLC, we provide trusted, results-driven representation for individuals and businesses navigating employment-based immigration. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Extensive Experience: Decades of experience handling work visas and employment-based green cards.
• Client-Centered Approach: Personalized strategies for startups, established corporations, and skilled professionals.
• Proven Success: A strong track record of securing successful visa and green card approvals.
• Comprehensive Support: End-to-end guidance, from initial consultation through final case resolution.

Common Challenges in Employment-Based Immigration

• Visa Backlogs: High demand causes delays, especially for India and China, with wait times often years long. We strategize to minimize delays or find alternative visas.
• Changing Job Requirements: If job duties change, we file amendments to keep your case on track.
• Compliance Issues: We ensure employers meet wage and job standards to avoid penalties or denials.

Employment Immigration FAQ

What is the difference between a work visa and an employment-based green card?

A work visa allows temporary employment in the U.S., while an employment-based green card offers permanent residency through sponsorship.

What is the difference between an H-1B visa and an L-1 visa?

An H-1B visa, for specialty jobs like IT or engineering, involves a lottery due to annual caps, requiring precise timing. An L-1 visa, for company transferees with one year abroad, has no cap and suits multinational firms.

How long does it take to get a work visa with a Dallas work visa lawyer?

H-1B visas take months due to the lottery; our Dallas work visa lawyers ensure timely filings. L-1 visas can be faster, often weeks with premium processing, depending on your case.

What are the requirements for sponsoring a foreign worker?

Employers must prove no U.S. workers are available, often via a job market test, and file a USCIS petition like Form I-129. We guide Dallas businesses to meet all requirements.

Can I change employers while on a work visa?

H-1B holders can switch employers by filing a new Form I-129 petition with help from our Dallas employment immigration lawyer. L-1 holders must stay with their sponsoring company.

What happens if my visa petition is denied?

If your Form I-129 or Form I-140 is denied, we assess the reasons, appeal if viable, or explore alternative visas like O-1 to achieve your immigration goals in Dallas.

Contact Our Dallas Employment Immigration Law Firm Today

Employment-based immigration can lead to complex challenges, including visa delays, compliance issues, and missed opportunities. Proactive legal representation from a Dallas employment immigration lawyer can make all the difference.

At John W. Lawit, LLC, our experienced team is dedicated to helping you secure work visas or green cards with tailored strategies and compassionate support. To learn more about our services, speak with our experienced immigration attorneys in Dallas.

Call (214) 609-2242 today to schedule a confidential consultation and take the first step toward achieving your immigration goals.