Washington, D.C. Business Immigration Lawyers Assist Clients

Proven attorneys advise employers, investors and employees on U.S. visas

The United States economy and culture benefit from the infusion of entrepreneurs, specialized workers and ambitious unskilled workers. At Morris H. Deutsch, Immigration Attorney in Washington, D.C., we help American companies and hardworking foreign nationals obtain work visas and green cards. Founded in 1986, our firm has earned a strong reputation for achieving positive outcomes in all types of business immigration matters. With a strict focus on immigration law, we also have experience appealing denials and responding to inquiries from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Experienced attorneys help establish qualifications for work authorization

The first step in the immigration process is determining which type of visa(s) the beneficiary (visa recipient) is qualified to receive. The USCIS offers immigrant visas and nonimmigrant visas. Immigrant visas allow beneficiaries to become lawful permanent residents, while nonimmigrant visas grant temporary work authorization for a specified period of time.

Among the types of nonimmigrant visas commonly needed for business immigration purposes are:

• H-1B, Specialty occupation — American companies can sponsor an H-1B specialty worker for up to six years. The position must be in a specialty occupation, requiring a certain level of education or experience and must be compensated on par with the prevailing wage for comparable American workers. 
• L-1, Intracompany transferees — A foreign national who works in an executive, managerial or specialized position for a foreign affiliate of a U.S. company may use an L-1 visa to transfer as an employee of the company in the United States. L-1 beneficiaries enjoy an expedited path to permanent residency.
• O-1, Extraordinary ability — The O-1 visa is made available to artists, athletes, academics, scientists, business professionals and film and television professionals. To qualify for an O-1 visa, a beneficiary must demonstrate extraordinary ability as shown by a high level of achievement and sustained acclaim..
• TN, NAFTA professionals — The TN visa is for Canadian and Mexican business professionals who want to work in the U.S. on a temporary basis for up to three years at a time. Engineers, lawyers, teachers and scientists are among the professionals who can qualify for a TN visa.
• E-1, Treaty trader — A person who receives an E-1 visa may enter the U.S. to engage in international trade on his or her own behalf. In some cases, an E-1 visa may be issued to employees or traders of qualifying organizations. To be eligible for an E-1 visa, an applicant must be from a U.S. treaty nation.
• E-2, Treaty investor — An individual who is a foreign national of a U.S. treaty company may qualify for an E-2 visa to make a substantial investment in a U.S. business. The business may be a new or existing company.

There are different nonimmigrant visa categories for business consultants (B-1 visa), religious workers (R-1 visa), unskilled workers (H-2B), interns (J-1 visa) and students (F-1 visa). Students on F-1 visas can secure temporary work authorization through an Optional Practical Training (OPT) permit.

Whether you are the applicant or your business wants to sponsor someone, it is best to speak with an attorney knowledgeable in visa law.

Capable legal team prepares petitions for employment-based green cards

A person who receives an immigrant visa can obtain lawful permanent residence (a green card) after entering the United States. There are five categories of employment-based visas:

• EB-1, First preference — The EB-1 immigrant visa is for professionals with demonstrated extraordinary ability and sustained acclaim in the arts, athletics, sciences, education, business or research.
• EB-2, Second preference — A professional with an advanced degree or demonstrated exceptional ability in the arts, sciences or business may obtain an EB-2 immigrant visa with U.S. business sponsorship or as an individual.
• EB-3, Third preference — The EB-3 immigrant visa is for skilled workers, professionals and certain unskilled workers performing jobs for which enough qualified workers are not available in the United States.
• EB-4, Fourth preference — EB-4 special immigrants include employees of U.S. foreign service posts and certain religious workers, among others.
• EB-5, Fifth preference — A person may obtain an EB-5 immigrant visa by making a substantial investment in a U.S. business to create employment opportunities for at least 10 full-time U.S. workers.

If you obtain an employment-based green card, you will have the option of sponsoring your spouse, children or parents to gain lawful permanent residency in the United States. Our lawyers can advise you on your family immigration options and help you move forward with sponsorship.

Contact a trusted Washington, D.C. business and employment immigration law firm today

The skillful business immigration attorneys of Morris H. Deutsch, Immigration Attorney in Washington, D.C. have advised U.S. businesses and foreign workers since 1986. To schedule a consultation with one of our committed lawyers, call 202-728-0820 or contact us online.