West Virginia Immigration Lawyer

West Virginia Immigration Attorney

West Virginia and the United States have a rich history and culture built on immigration. Many foreign nationals are interested in moving to West Virginia due to its vast economic and housing opportunities, which are conducive to personal achievement and growing a family. Whether you are working toward immigrating to West Virginia from another country or you are looking to update your immigration status, a devoted West Virginia immigration lawyer from Meadows Law PLLC can assist you with your case.

At Meadows Law PLLC, our legal team has years of assistance helping our clients live out their own American dream. We take a client-centered approach, which involves frequent communication so that our attorneys can help address your questions and concerns, understand the details of your specific case, and help you work toward reaching your immigration-related goals.

Immigrant vs. Non-Immigrant Visas: Which Is Right for You?

In the United States immigration process, there are two main types of visas, which are classified as immigrant and non-immigrant visas. A non-immigrant visa is a type of visa that allows individuals to come to the United States for reasons including working for a company, pursuing certain business endeavors, performing, undergoing medical procedures, and getting a higher education. A non-immigrant visa does not provide a pathway to lawful permanent residency or U.S. citizenship.

An immigrant visa, on the other hand, is a type of visa that does open up the opportunity to pursue a green card and, eventually, naturalization. Many people pursue immigrant visas to be reunited with their families, advance their careers, make large investments, and more.

When deciding whether to apply for an immigrant or non-immigrant visa, it’s important to take into account your goals and the requirements that you are able to meet. An immigration lawyer from Meadows Law PLLC can help you understand your options for immigration as well as assist you with the requisite applications and processes.

What Is a Green Card?

A green card is technically a type of visa that the United States government issues to grant lawful permanent residence. A green card lasts 10 years, and it gives individuals the opportunity to live and work in the country lawfully. The renewal process for a green card is relatively straightforward, except for instances like someone having certain offenses on a criminal record.

Green card holders can apply to have their spouses and children join them in the United States, depending on the specific circumstances. Also, depending on whether the green card holder is married to a U.S. citizen, they can apply for citizenship after 3 to 5 years of living in the country.

Representation From a West Virginia Immigration Lawyer

If you have been arrested or detained in West Virginia and do not have adequate immigration papers, either due to expiration or insufficiency, then you have a right to legal counsel. Whether you are facing criminal charges or a deportation order, an attorney from Meadows Law PLLC can help represent your case.

We can challenge your holding by working to get you released with or without bond, or we can represent your deportation case before an immigration judge against a deportation order. An immigration criminal deportation lawyer from our law firm can inform you of your rights and help explore alternative options.

FAQs

Q: What Steps Do I Need to Take to Become a U.S. Citizen?

A: To officially become a citizen of the United States, it is a prerequisite to be living in the United States as a lawful permanent resident. This means that you will need to enter the country on an immigrant visa and then apply for and obtain a green card from within the country.

Applicants must be 18 years of age and be living in the state where they are filing their application for at least 3 months. Furthermore, you will need to prove that you are of “good moral character” and have demonstrated an uninterrupted presence in the U.S.

Q: Do I Need a Green Card to Work in West Virginia?

A: It is not required to have a green card, or lawful permanent residence, to live in West Virginia, United States. There are both immigrant and non-immigrant work visas that can be applied for from your country of origin to come to the U.S. lawfully to work. Depending on your qualifications, education, skillset, and the nature of your work, the type of work visa that you should apply for will vary.

Q: What Is the Longest Amount of Time That I Can Stay in WV Without a Green Card?

A: If you are a noncitizen of the United States, the amount of time that you can stay in West Virginia and the United States depends on the tourist agreement that exists between the U.S. and your country of nationality or the kind of visa that you hold. There are certain kinds of work and student visas that last from a period of 3 to 5 years, which can potentially be renewed. Furthermore, the USA has agreements with over 40 countries so that tourists can stay without a visa for a period of 90 days.

Q: Can an Immigration Lawyer Speed Up the Immigration Process?

A: While an immigration lawyer cannot specifically expedite your application with the U.S. government, they can help you optimize the immigration process. Firstly, they can ensure that you choose an immigration pathway that is a good fit for you and your family. By fulfilling all the requirements, submitting paperwork properly, and meeting pertinent deadlines, your application process will go much quicker.

Schedule a Consultation With a Compassionate West Virginia Immigration Lawyer Today

Whether you are immigrating to the United States for the first time from your country of origin or updating your immigration paperwork, working through the immigration processes can be stressful and lead to a sense of uncertainty.

Therefore, the legal team at Meadows Law PLLC is here to ensure that you are clear on the requirements associated with your desired immigration pathway. Our team can walk you through each step of the relevant process. Set up a consultation with our team today so that you can optimize your chances for a positive case outcome.