Answer: Strictly speaking, there is no set or rigid classification when it comes to visas. When we say that we work with “Professional and Investor Visas” what we mean is that we focus on visas (and authorizations and statuses) that are based on the professional activities of the immigrant, that is, the immigrant might be eligible to that visa thanks to his/her professional activities or because the immigrant plans to invest / run a business in the US. Another way to look at this is to consider which visas we do not work with. These include visas based on family ties (e.g. securing a Green Card by marrying a US Citizen) or asylum claims.

Answer: We work with several types of visas, including ones that might grant the right to live and work permanently or temporarily in the US. The connecting theme in all our visas is that they are based on the immigrant’s professional activities. Yet, despite limiting ourselves to ‘just’ professional and investor visas, there are still many visas to consider. On that note, each immigrant’s unique history, profile and needs might make him/her well-suited to one (or more) visas (or even a combination of visas). Indeed, a big part of our preliminary work is to study the client’s case and, taking everything into account, recommend the visa strategy that seems ideal for that client. We see this tailored approach as a key differential of our services, especially when compared to colleagues who are used to handling just one type of visa. To paraphrase A. Maslow: if the only tool you use is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

Examples of the visas we often work with:

• EB: These are “employment based” visas that may grant the right to a Green Card. There are several types of EB visas. They range from the EB-1A (a visa for extraordinary professionals) to the EB-5 (an investor type of visa). The most sought-after options are the EB-1A and the EB-2 NIW (professionals with exceptional ability or an advanced degree) as these visas can be filed without a job offer from a US employer. That said, we also help with visas that do require job offers and a labor certification (PERM), such as the EB-1C, the EB-2 or the EB-3.
• L-1: L-1 visas are used to transfer executives (L-1A) or special employees (L-1B) from a foreign company to a related US company. This visa category can also be used to send an executive to open a US subsidiary of a foreign company. L-1s do not provide immediate Green Card access, but they can be part of a longer-term strategy to obtain the Green Card, helping immigrants move today to the US while securing a Green Card visa tomorrow.
• E: These are consular visas related to commerce and investment in the US. The most common example is the E-2 that is a visa available to immigrants whose country of origin has an investment treaty with the US. These visas do not provide, at first, access to the Green Card. Nevertheless, they can be used as part of a longer-term strategy to secure a Green Card. E visas are useful to those willing to open a small business in the US.
• Others: There are other examples. These include the H-1B (professionals in specialty occupations), the O-1 (extraordinary professionals seeking a temporary stay in the US), the R-1 (temporary religious workers), P-1 (athletes), etc.

Answer: Green Cards are synonymous with moving permanently to the US, that is, becoming a permanent resident and then a US citizen. Temporary visas are those that do not offer a path to the Green Card. That means that they are intended for those who will (sooner or later) leave the US. In practice, the difference might be hard to tell: some temporary visas can be renewed again and again, allowing the immigrant to remain in the US for several years.

Answer: Not necessarily. There are visa categories where the immigrant can self-sponsor. Common examples are the EB-1A and the EB-2 NIW (discussed above).

Answer: The time will vary (sometimes significantly) depending on the type of visa, the complexity of the immigrant’s case, the speed of the Immigration Services and, naturally, the client’s cooperation in submitting information and documents. We can provide a better timeframe estimate after we analyze the case and decide what visa category to recommend.

Answer: Each visa will have its own document requirements. Usually, the immigrant must submit documents such as valid passports, filled-out immigration forms, academic transcripts, professional resumés, letters of recommendation, etc. One thing is certain: most visas demand a series of documents and in virtually every case some documents will have to be drafted from scratch.

Answer: The cost varies depending on the type of visa, the filing fees, the attorneys’ fees, translators’ fees, etc. In fact, for some visas, the cost of the visa is an essential criterion (e.g. an investor visa). We can provide a preliminary estimate on a case-by-case basis.

As far as our fees are concerned, we are always monitoring market rates and striving to provide an offer that considers the client’s needs and the premium quality of our services. In that sense, we usually charge in instalments linked to key milestones in the visa process (e.g. filing and approval).

We accept various payment options (including credit card).

Answer: Yes, we assist immigrants throughout the visa process – from analyzing the immigrant’s profile and recommending a visa all the way to securing a Green Card.

We also take on cases at specific instances (e.g. taking over a case that has already been filed to navigate a particularly tricky hurdle) or together with other colleagues (e.g. providing a review or second opinion).

Answer: No.

Answer: We struggle to pick a single thing! We would, however, highlight that our service is 100% customized. HJC-LAW is for the immigrant that want quality above all else. The immigrant that insists upon a tailormade strategy and petition. The immigrant that wants direct access and attention from the attorney throughout the case. Etc.