At Austin Immigration Lawyer, we know that you likely have many questions about immigration law and what you can expect as you navigate through it. Many of the clients we speak with are worried about what the process entails and they are unsure of whether or not they can apply for their visa and so on. Because of this, our experienced immigration attorney in Austin has compiled a list of commonly asked questions we receive in our office along with their answers. We invite you to browse through the FAQs below. Should you still have a question or two, call Austin Immigration Lawyer at 512-212-9998.
A lawful permanent resident is a person who has gone through the process and obtained a green card. This green card allows them to work and live within the US legally. A legal permanent resident does NOT have all of the rights that a citizen does though. For example, a lawful permanent resident is unable to travel out of the country for long periods of time, cannot vote in elections, and cannot live outside of the US. It is possible to have your status revoked too.
A lawful permanent resident is eligible to apply for citizenship in the US once they meet the required amount of stay time in the US, which is generally three to five years.
Yes. When you apply for an E2 visa application, you will be able to include your spouse and also any children that are under the age of 21. If your children are older than 21, they will need to fill out their own application and apply for an E2 visa.
This is a complicated situation and one that should prompt you to call an experienced immigration attorney in Austin. Your children, once they reach 21 years of age, are no longer allowed to be in the US under your E2 visa. This means that they will either need to leave the US or they will need to apply for their own visa.
Yes. A visa is only an authorization and it is not a granted stay in the US. This means that you will need to renew any visas you have. It is important for you to work with an experienced immigration lawyer in Austin to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible and that you do not lose your visa status. The renewal process will take time to complete and is not immediate, so it is vital that you start the renewal well in advance.
Yes. If you do qualify for an H-1B visa, then your spouse and your children will be able to apply for an H-4 visa, which will allow them to come to the US.