Best Immigration Lawyers in Chula Vista, CA

The United States offers a variety of ways to live and work in the country, either temporarily or with the intent to pursue permanent residency and citizenship.

To become a U.S. citizen, you must first obtain permanent residency for a number of years. Securing citizenship involves learning to speak, read, and write in English; learning American history; and proving that you will be a contributing and moral addition to the country. If you are married to a United States citizen, then you only have to wait 3 years instead of the usual 5 years to become a citizen.

If you are a U.S. citizen who is married to a foreign national, your spouse must hold a green card for a minimum of two years and 9 months before he or she will be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship.

The National Interest Waiver (NIW) allows foreign nationals who are eligible for an EB-2 employment-based visa to bypass the requirements of labor certification and having a permanent job offer and employer sponsor in the United States. Obtaining a National Interest Waiver involves satisfying a number of requirements, including supplying proof that it is in the interests of the United States for you to receive your visa promptly because your work will benefit the nation to a greater extent than the work of others in your field.

TN classification allows Canadian and Mexican citizens who work in certain professions to enter the United States on a temporary basis. Examples of qualifying professions include accounting, engineering, law, pharmacy, science, and management consultants. You must have a prearranged job with a U.S. employer for a position that requires a qualifying professional, and you must have the necessary qualifications to practice in your profession.