We are a full service immigration law firm helping foreign aliens in their immigration needs. Our dedicated Attorneys are specialized in U.S. non immigrant and immigrant visas. We assist people who wish to visit, work, invest or live in the United States.
Our law office provides employers and employees with the latest and most appropriate immigration strategies.
The U.S. immigration law is complex and constantly changing. The objective is to identify the most suitable solution for each objective. With over twenty years of experience in Paris, we are a highly skilled immigration law firm that has been helping businesses and individuals immigrate to the United States.
There are different non immigrant visas that can be granted in accordance to the individual’s objective. We have extensive experience in the areas of U.S. non immigrant visas, such as working, training and investor visas.
If you want to invest in a U.S. business: INVESTOR VISAS
If you want to invest in the United States, you need to be a citizen of a country which has a Treaty of Commerce with the United States.
There are two types of Treaty visas :
1. Treaty Trader (E-1) : an alien can apply for a Treaty Trader visa if the treaty company is engaged in substantial trade, including trade in services or technology, principally between the United States and the treaty country.
Main requirements : More than 50 percent of the international trade involved must be between the United States and the treaty country.
Accompanying dependents (spouse and unmarried children of less than 21 years) will receive the E-1 visa status. Dependent spouse is allowed to work for any U.S. employer, part time or full time, once Employment Authorization is filed and approved by U.S. Citizenship and immigration Services.
2. Treaty Investor (E-2): an alien can apply for a Treaty Investor visa if the investor wishes to direct a U.S. Company where he holds fifty percent of shares at least.
Main requirements : The investment shall be substantial, marginal and active.
Accompanying dependents (spouse and unmarried children of less than 21 years) will receive the E-2 visa status. Dependent spouse is allowed to work for any U.S. employer, part time or full time, once Employment Authorization is filed and approved by U.S. Citizenship and immigration Services.
If you want to work in the United States: WORKING VISAS
1. Extraordinary ability (O-1) :
O-1 visas are allotted to an “elite” category, to people who are the very top in their field of endeavor (arts, sciences, education, business and sport).
Foreign individuals shall possess “a level of expertise and recognition that shows a high level of achievement, or that the person is one of few who have risen to the very top of the field of endeavor.”
Main requirements :
This application is complex. It is a requirement to prove alien’s extraordinary abilities. Several pertinent letters of recommendation from recognized experts in the field, awards/prizes are needed.
Accompanying dependents (spouse and unmarried children of less than 21 years) will receive the O-3 visa status. Dependent spouse is not allowed to work or study in the United States.
2. Intra-company /transfer visa (L-1) :
The intra-company nonimmigrant classification enables a U.S. employer to transfer an executive or manager from its affiliated foreign office to its company in the United States.
To qualify for this visa, it is necessary to have a qualifying relationship between a foreign company and the U.S. business (parent company, branch, subsidiary). Contrary to the treaty trader visa, while the business must be viable, there is no requirement that the U.S. Company be engaged in international trade.
The L-1A visa is granted for one year when the transferring manager establishes a startup and for three years when the U.S. Company has been in operation for over one year.
The L-1B visa is allotted to intra-company professional employees who are transferred to the U.S. affiliate company because they possess specialized knowledge relating to the organization’s interests.
Even though the L-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa, it is recognized as dual intent, meaning the L-1 visa holder can apply for an immigrant visa / green card while in the United States on an L-1 status
Accompanying dependents (spouse and unmarried children of less than 21 years) will receive the L-2 visa status. Dependent spouse is allowed to work for any U.S. employer, part time or full time, once Employment Authorization is filed and approved by U.S. Citizenship and immigration Services.
3. Specialized worker (H-1B):
The nonimmigrant visa H-1B is granted to foreign employees who wish to work for a U.S. employer in specialty occupations in the fields of architecture, engineering, mathematics, science, and medicine which require at least a Bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent in work experiences).
This visa is subject to quota. Only 65,000 visas are issued every year. Holders of an H-1B visa can stay and work in the United States for up to six years. Even though the H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa, it is recognized as dual intent, meaning the H-1B visa holder can apply for an immigrant visa / green card while in the United States on an H-1B status.
Accompanying dependents (spouse and unmarried children of less than 21 years) will receive the H-4 visa status. Dependent spouse is not allowed to work or study in the United States.
4. Essential employee of a Treaty Investor (E-2):
A treaty investor employee must qualify as an Executive, Supervisory, or Essential Skilled Employee.
Executive or Supervisory employees shall be employed in a managerial or executive position so as to control the firm’s overall operations or a major component of the company
The Essential Skilled Employee must possess specific abilities and competencies which are needed for the efficient operation of the business. He or she will perform specialized duties that a U.S. worker would not be able to provide.
Accompanying dependents (spouse and unmarried children of less than 21 years) will receive the E-2 visa status. Dependent spouse is not allowed to work or study in the United States.
5. Trainee/intern (J-1 or H-3): TRAINING VISAS
There are two visas available for individuals who wish to train within a U.S. Company: H-3 and J-1 visas.
6. Internationally-recognized Athletes (P-1):
A foreign individual can apply for the P-1 visa if he is coming to the U.S. to perform at a specific athletic competition as an athlete, individually or as part of a team, at an internationally-recognized level of performance.
Accompanying dependents (spouse and unmarried children of less than 21 years of age) will receive the P-4 visa status. Dependent spouse is not allowed to work or study.
If you want to visit the United States : VISITOR VISAS
1. For tourism :
Citizens of the following countries are authorized to travel to the United States for tourism stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa at the U.S Embassy.
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
However, if you need to travel to the United States for a larger stay (i.e. six months maximum), you are required to apply for a tourist visa (B1/B2) at the U.S. Embassy.
2. For business :
A business visitor (B-1 visa) is allowed to travel to the United States for six months maximum per year or business purposes, namely :
Accompanying dependents (spouse and unmarried children of less than 21 years of age) will receive the B-2 visa status. Dependent spouse is not allowed to work or study.
To apply for an immigrant visa, a foreign citizen must be sponsored by a U.S. citizen relative, a U.S. lawful permanent resident, or a prospective U.S. employer.
Green card through marriage
A U.S. citizen can file an immigrant visa petition for:
A U.S. lawful permanent resident (a green-card holder) can file an immigrant visa petition for :
Each Green Card category has specific steps and procedures to follow. You can apply while in the United States (“adjustment of status”) or while outside the United States (“consular processing”). The processing time for getting a green card after marrying a U.S. spouse is the shortest. It takes between to 8 to 12 months. On the contrary, obtaining a green card through family is a very long process.
If you intend to marry a U.S. Citizen, our law office can also help you in your fiancé visa application.
Green card through employment
A foreign individual may be eligible to become a permanent resident based on an offer of permanent employment in the United States.
Most categories require the U.S. employer to file labor certification with the Department of Labor and then Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker.
There are five categories:
– EB-5 Investors: foreign individuals who are able to invest $1,000,000 and intend to create at least new 10 employees or $500,000 with the willing to create at least 5 new jobs in the United States.
Our experienced Attorneys can help you in your naturalization process in order to become a U.S. Citizen.
