Have you ever heard the phrase “ don’t keep all your eggs in one basket?” Me neither.

I joke, of course, but it’s really a very wise saying. Why should you keep all of your valuables in one place? Spread the wealth, reap the rewards! And we all know that a valuable employee is an extremely useful asset, if used in the right context. Sometimes that context is across borders, in the United States, in the parent company, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of a foreign company… or even in an as-of-yet nonexistent office in the US that you as a foreign company wants to establish… hypothetically of course.

All right, enough with the subtlety: the L-1 visa classification allows a US employer to transfer an executive or manager, or employee with specialized knowledge from a foreign office to a US office via the L-1A or the L-1B, respectively. It also allows individuals who qualify from foreign offices to enter the United States to establish a US office and do business as a US employer, which makes it ideal for businesses looking to expand their operations into the land of opportunity.

There are certain qualifications that an employer must meet in order to be considered eligible for the L-1 visa. The employer must have a “qualifying relationship,” which sounds very filled with commitment and implies a lot of emotional attachment, but it’s purely a legal term. A qualifying organization is simply a parent company, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of another. The employer must also be doing business or have plans to do business in the United States and at least one other country.

The employee must:

Have been working for a qualifying organization for one full year in the three that came before he/she came to the United States

Be entering the US to provide service in an executive or managerial capacity for the same employer or a qualifying organization

Sounds simple enough, right? Well, yes and no.

Immigration legislation is vastly complex and qualifying for a visa depends on multiple factors and variables, some of which are seemingly outside your control. Our firm wants to put that control back in your hands. We are the best at what we do and know the best ways to do it. We’re also incredibly humble, but you won’t hear us bragging about it.

Individuals who qualify will be able to stay in the US for varying initial periods of stay, depending on whether they’re coming under the L-1A or the L-1B, and whether they are here to establish a new office.

New offices, by the way, have their own little list of qualifications. To qualify you must show that you have sufficient housing for the office, that the office can or will support the transferee, and that the employer can sufficiently compensate the transferee for his/her services while everything’s starting up. Again, this can be hard, but we do this sort of thing all the time (quite well, I might add).

Okay, you know what you need to do, and you know what we do. My job’s done, now it’s your turn. Contact our office, set up a free consultation, and then let our immigration attorneys do their job. Really, there’s very little effort on your part, so just sit back and enjoy the journey!

The treaty trader, as far as USCIS is concerned anyways, meets several qualifications.

He/she is the national of a treaty country (a treaty country is a nation which has a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States)

He/she carries on substantial trade

His/her trade is primarily between the United States and his/her treaty country

This sounds easy enough to the layman, but both lawyers and traders immediately squint their eyes suspiciously at the last two. Just what exactly qualifies as “substantial,” and what qualifies as “primarily?” Well let me put your mind at ease. Whether or not trade is substantial is determined based on whether or not the trade done and to be done meets certain requirements. It’s not some arbitrary measurement system, either; the people who determine it do this for a living. Luckily for you, our attorneys spend our time making sure all of our clients’ petitions are perfect and have no chance of being denied. As far as making sure the trade is principally done with the US, that’s just a simple check on a list. At least 50% of the trade done by the treaty trader must be done between the US and the treaty country. It’s that simple!

Employees of treaty traders also qualify, and they have their own laundry list of requirements that must be met.

They must have the nationality of their employer

They must be an “employee” according to the law

They must be employed in an executive or supervisory position, or in a position based on special qualifications

Now, the E1 visa isn’t set up to be a permanent arrangement, though many who qualify do end up staying here permanently. The maximum initial stay period is two years, and if nothing changes in your status (besides making more money and expanding your operation, obviously) and you request to extend your stay, you can do so indefinitely! (in up to two-year periods, but we can hash out the details of that later).

All right: you’re a businessperson, you want to come to the US to expand your business, you just read our blog, you know we can help you….

What are you waiting for, again?

The EB-1 has three categories, none of which are for the faint of heart. The EB-1 covers individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding researchers and professors, and multinational managers or executives.

Extraordinary Ability:

This category is the broadest of the three, and is the most widely utilized. Individuals who can demonstrate they have extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics will most likely be able to qualify for this category. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that being the champion of your local community’s monthly video game tournament will make you eligible, as sustained national or international acclaim is one of the requisite qualifications, but keep working! There are literally thousands of ways to qualify and our firm would love to help you find yours!

Outstanding Professors and Researchers:

Okay, being a video game champion definitely won’t win you any points here. These individuals must demonstrate that they’ve been recognized at an international level for their outstanding achievements in their field. They also need at least three years of experience in their academic field as a professor or researcher. So yeah, it’s a big deal. For those of you still reading this section who are thinking “hey, this sounds pretty good,” good job! After years of hard work and dedication, your future is looking up, and it’s about time you got the reward you deserve. Contact our office and let us help you and your prospective employer get the ball rolling with this process!

Multinational Manager or Executive:

You’re the boss. You’re that suited individual sitting behind the desk who is loved and respected by your employees. Your word is law to your employees and your superiors respect your skill and dedication to your career. After at least three years of working with a firm or organization, you’ve been given this amazing opportunity to move to the United States and continue work for the same employer, affiliate, or subsidiary of the employer as a manager or executive. This is your shining moment that you’ll look back on and think “that’s where it started, that’s when I reached my ultimate potential and took off soaring!” I don’t know if you use the word “soaring” on a regular basis, but it’s one of my favorites so I assume you’d use it too. Anyways, this one’s an amazing choice if you qualify, and our firm loves helping clients with these petitions!

Our clients, however, almost never worry about their petitions, because they are calm and assured with the knowledge that our immigration attorneys are professional, experienced, and work primarily for the success and happiness of our clients. The world is a frightening place with unexpected turns and hardships, but our firm is a veritable oasis of comfort and refreshment in a desert of endless paperwork and red tape. Contact our office and schedule a free consultation with one of our Los Angeles Immigration Lawyers or Glendale immigration attorneys to discuss your future success.

In order for the petition process to be complete, the petitioner must submit the form which embodies the petition along with the documentation specified on the form that is required. Additionally, two forms which detail the requisite information for both the petitioner and foreign national spouse must also be submitted to USCIS. If any of these forms are incorrectly filled out, filed, or information is incorrect or missing or given in the incorrect format, the petition is likely to be denied and the fees paid not refunded. We highly recommend speaking with a Los Angeles immigration attorney or Glendale immigration attorney from our firm before submitting a petition that, frankly, likely contains at least one error that could jeopardize your petition’s chances of approval. Additionally, a petitioner must also submit:

A copy of the petitioner and his/her spouse’s civil marriage certificate

A copy of any divorce or annulment decrees or death certificates, or any other legal documentation which evidences the legal cessation of any previous marriages of either spouse

Passport-style photos of both spouses which comply with the requisite criteria for these photographs

Evidence of any lawful name changes of either spouse. The causes of these name changes could include but are not limited to: divorce, marriage, adoption, court-mandated name-change

A petitioner must also be able to demonstrate his/her status as a US Citizen or Permanent

Resident. A US Citizen may provide a copy of any of the following of his/her:

• Valid US birth certificate
• Valid US passport
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad
• Naturalization Certificate
• Certificate of Citizenship
• A Permanent Resident may provide a copy of his/her:
• Green card (front/back); or
• Foreign passport which has a stamp which evidences permanent resident status

Clearly, the responsibility for the petition’s success lies heavily on the petitioner. Our firm’s immigration attorneys take pleasure in lifting that burden of responsibility from our clients’ shoulders so the process isn’t a stressful or anxious one, but one where our client is excited and relieved that their successful future is steadily and surely approaching. Contact our office and speak with your personal attorney today.

Spouses of the petitioner may come to the United States to live while the visa petition is pending if he/she is abroad under current legislation. Spouses of US Citizens may enter under the K-3 nonimmigrant visa classification and live and work until his/her spouse visa is approved. Spouses of Permanent Residents may be eligible for the same under the V visa classification, which is slightly different in the execution of its petition. Speak with a Los Angeles immigration attorney or Glendale immigration attorney from our office to learn more.

In the event that the petitioner and his/her foreign national spouse have been married for less than two years when the spouse is granted permanent residency, that status will have been granted on a conditional basis. To remove these conditions, both spouses must apply within the 90 day conditional residence period. Should this not occur, the foreign national spouse will be subject to ejection from the United States. Contact our office and speak with a Los Angeles immigration attorney or Glendale immigration lawyer as soon as possible.

Your future happiness doesn’t have to remain a far-off dream. Let us work for you, let us make your dreams a reality, and let yourself be as happy as you can be.

Our specialist immigration lawyers at Galstyan Law Group have a 100% success rate in all L1 visa petitions, making our firm the number one choice for many employers worldwide. Call one of our highly trained Immigration Lawyer today on free call number 1800 939 8004 to get started.

Are you an Executive or Manager from abroad who has been with your company for at least one continuous year out of the last three years, and your employer wants to contribute your skills and expertise to an affiliate company in the U.S.? Then the L-1 visa might be the right visa for you! Our Immigration Lawyers at Galstyan Law Group are specialists in the L1 Visa category. You can speak to one of our leading immigration attorneys at Galstyan Law Group, Los Angeles on 1800 939 8004 today. Galstyan Law Group offer free consultations and accept L1A visa clients from all over the world.

The L1 visa also allows foreign companies to send an executive or manager to the United States with the purpose of establishing an affiliated office in the U.S.

To qualify for an L1 visa, the employer must have a qualifying relationship with the foreign company however, as the employee is basically transferring within the company, there is no need for an LCA in the granting of a L1 visa.

The length of stay in the U.S on the L1 visa is initially 3 years, renewable up to 7 years for total length of stay.

Premium processing is available for the L-1 visa classification too! Which means your employer can get an answer from the USCIS within 15 days. Speak to one of our leading immigration attorneys at Galstyan Law Group for more information.

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) equally applies to both Men and Women. The VAWA was passed in 1994 allowing certain battered immigrants to self-petition to the USCIS without relying on an abusive U.S citizen or legal permanent resident to sponsor their application for an adjustment of status.

To gain a better understanding of how the VAWA cases work, it is essential to understand how immigration law works pertaining to family immigration. Generally, in order for a non-citizen spouse to become a permanent resident in the USA, the U.S citizen spouse or the permanent resident spouse must file what is called an immediate family petition. It is very common in abusive relationships for the U.S citizen spouse or the permanent resident spouse to gain control and power over the immigrant spouse and use their ‘dependency’ to their advantage.

As such the VAWA law eliminated the requirement that the U.S citizen spouse or the lawful permanent spouse file these petitions, essentially allowing the battered or abused spouses to self-petition (VAWA self petition).

Our VAWA immigration lawyers are highly trained in all areas of VAWA law and can assist immigrants anywhere in the U.S facing an abusive relationship with their U.S Citizen and Permanent Resident (Green Card) spouses.

Call an immigration lawyer at Galstyan Law Group today for your free consultation and see how our expert team of VAWA immigration attorneys can help you 800 939 8004 or 323 642 6000.

Galstyan Law Group are O-1 visa specialists. Our Immigration Lawyer accepts O-1 visa clients from all parts of the world. We can help you wherever you are and we are only a phone call away 1800 939 8004 (free call).

Two popular questions we are often asked during O1 visa consultations is ‘who can my sponsor be?’ and ‘what information will my sponsor need to provide?’.

A U.S. Agent and/or Manager may be:
• The actual employer of the O-1 beneficiary
• The representative of both the O-1 employer and the O-1 beneficiary
• A person or entity authorized by the employer to act for, or in place of, the employer as its agent to file the O-1 visa petition.

Basically, talented musicians, artists and/or actors find an Agent and/or Manager who can represent them for work in the U.S. The agent and/or manager can then sponsor their O-1 petition by providing some simple information (as shown below). It doesn’t cost them anything either! No Labor Certification is required for O1 visas, making it a simple, cost effective process for the sponsor. Once we have all the required information, our specialized O-1 immigration attorneys at Galstyan Law Group take care of everything else.
As an O-1 visa is for aliens of ‘extraordinary ability’, it’s best to find a very good agent and/or manager with credentials showing they have worked with very talented artists, producers, composers etc.
What we will need from your O-1 Sponsor:
1. A copy of their business license and federal tax ID number.
2. A signed contract between you (the beneficiary) and them (the petitioner) outlining the terms of employment over the next 3 years (maximum time offered for an O-1 visa)
3. A copy of the company logo and signature for the O-1 petition (or we can have them sign the original documentation)
4. A copy of the company history and/or personal biography to include in your O-1 petition to the USCIS.
We will also require a complete itinerary of planned gigs/events/activities to include with your petition to the USCIS. It’s just a guide, it doesn’t have to be set in stone, just an outline of prospective gigs, tours, shows, meetings, writing sessions etc.
If you’re already located in the US and would like to change your status to an O-1, now is the time!! Our highly skilled Immigration Lawyers are getting approvals back in just 2 weeks (without premium processing!!!!). This won’t last! So if you’re serious and ready for an O-1 get your application in soon! Make your free call to Galstyan Law Group and ask for one of our experienced O-1 Immigration Attorneys and let us get started on your extraordinary O-1 visa petition! 323 642 6000 or 800 939 8004.

Invest in yourself today! Speak to a professional Immigration Attorney at Galstyan Law Group for your FREE, no obligation consultation and see how we can help you obtain the highly sought after O-1 Visa and help turn your dreams into reality! 323 642 6000 or 800 939 8004.

Is it your dream to marry your fiance so they can live (and work) with you permanently in the United States?

Is your partner currently living overseas and you’re unsure which visa to pursue?

Our immigration attorneys at Galstyan Law Group highly recommend the K-1 Fiance visa!

Our immigration lawyers offer free consultations to all new clients. Call our office today and schedule your free appointment with one of our K-1 visa specialists 323 642 6000 or free call number 800 939 8004.

If your fiancé has children, they may also accompany your partner to the United States on a K-2 Visa. Our immigration attorneys at Galstyan Law Group offer a full visa management service for all our valued clients and will submit K2 applications at the same time as your fiancé’s K1 petition, ensuring everyone is looked after prior to your fiancé’s arrival into the U.S. Our immigration lawyers will also file a work authorization for your fiancé if required so they can start working and saving towards your big day!

Once you are both married, your immigration attorney at Galstyan Law Group will extend your fiancés work permit when applying for their permanent residency with the USCIS.

Our immigration lawyers offer free consultations to all new clients. Call our office today and schedule your free appointment with one of our K-1 visa specialists 323 642 6000 or free call number 800 939 8004.

Not to brag, but our immigration attorneys at Galstyan Law Group have a 100% success rate in all fiancé and marriage visas!

U.S Customs and Border Protection plays a very important role in protecting the security of America. They prevent the illegal entry of people and goods from all around the world, ensuring that all visitors coming to the U.S are traveling here for legitimate business and/or pleasure. That’s why it is so important to have the right visa type prior to your arrival. You need to play by the rules.

The USCIS offers a broad range of visitor visas to cover almost every legitimate reason for traveling the United States for business, work or pleasure – but you need to make sure you have the correct, pre-approved visa type for your situation or you could find yourself in all sorts of trouble.

Our immigration attorneys at Galstyan Law Group have been advising many foreign travellers on the right visa type for them.

What about re-entering on a visitor visa? Can it be done?

Regularly re-entering on a 3 month visitor visa is not a smart idea as it creates a ‘red flag’ with immigration, even if your reasons for revisiting the U.S are legitimate, it might not make sense to an immigration officer … it may appear that you are living/working in the States without pre-approval which is not allowed.

Upon arrival, if a customs officer is suspicious of your intentions for entering the U.S they may look for a reason to send you home. This can include searching both your carry on and checked in luggage, going through your cell phone, questioning you and/or your family members for hours, calling people to verify your intentions in the U.S. It’s not pretty, especially after a long flight! Chances are … you’ll be sent home on the first available flight.

Protect yourself and invest in your peace of mind. Speak to a leading immigration attorney at Galstyan Law Group today on 323 642 6000 or free call number 800 939 8004. We offer free consultations for all new customers and are happy to help with any visa inquiry you may have.

I’ve been sent home by Border Security, how do I fix this?

Once you’ve been deported from the U.S, the only way you can try to clear your name and re-enter the States is to open a motion to vacate the exclusion/removal, which can be a costly and timely process however, our legal team at Galstyan Law Group are experts in the field and have a 100% success rate in all motions submitted by our law firm so you’re in good hands! Call one of our immigration lawyers today and see how we can help you! 323 642 6000.

Don’t try to cut corners to save dollars, get it right from the beginning! It will save you a fortune in the long run! Speak to an immigration lawyer at Galstyan Law Group today on 323 642 6000 and see how we can help!

Each Green card carries the same privileges: namely, the right to work and live in the U.S permanently. Green cards are available mostly to those who have immediate family members in the U.S or job skills in demand by a U.S employer. Also, a large number of green cards are given to educated professionals, investors and refugees, or on a lottery basis to those with few qualifications other than luck.

Our expert immigration lawyers at Galstyan Law Group have obtained Green cards for many happy clients. Call our office today on free call number 800 939 8004 for your no-obligation consultation and see if you’re eligible for a green card! Our immigration lawyers have a 100% success rate in all green card applications so you’re in good hands.

Did you know there are approximately 140,000 employment-based immigrant visas made available to qualified applicants every year? That’s right, 140,000!!

In a similar league to the many non-immigrant visas available, employment based immigrant visas fall into five main categories.

1. EB-1 Priority Workers
2. EB-2 Advanced Degrees/Exceptional Ability
3. EB-3 Skilled/Unskilled Workers and Professionals
4. EB-4 Certain Special Immigrants
5. EB-5 Immigrant Investors

Certain spouses and children may also accompany employment-based immigrants.

Excluding the Aliens of Extraordinary ability under the EB-1 classification, aliens applying for an immigrant visa must first have their employers file a Labor Certification. Once the U.S Department of Labor approves the Labor Certification, the alien’s employer may proceed by filing an immigrant petition for the alien with the USCIS.

If you would like to meet with an immigration attorney in person, our lawyers at Galstyan Law Group are centrally located in Beverly Hills, California and offer free consultations. If you are based in Los Angeles call us to book your free appointment on 323 642 6000. We may be based in Beverly Hills, but we don’t charge Beverly Hills prices. Call us for a quote today, you won’t be disappointed.

Our immigration lawyers at Galstyan Law Group accept Green Card applicants from all over the U.S and the world. Let us help you fulfill your dreams and take the hassle out of immigrating to the U.S.