Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. U.S. immigration law is federal, so our attorneys represent clients in all 50 states and in 40+ countries. We are based in Los Angeles but most matters are handled by secure video calls and overnight document exchange — you never need to visit an office.

English, Spanish, and Mandarin are spoken in-house. Professional interpreters are available in 30+ additional languages on request.

Book a free consultation online or by phone. We review your situation, confirm the strongest filing path, and give you a flat-fee quote and timeline before you commit to anything.

EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability) requires sustained national or international acclaim but offers faster priority dates and no labor certification. EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) requires an advanced degree plus evidence that your work is in the U.S. national interest — generally an easier bar to meet, but priority-date backlogs can make it slower for some countries. Both let you self-petition without an employer.

No. Both EB-1A and EB-2 NIW are self-petition categories — you do not need a U.S. employer to sponsor you, and no PERM labor certification is required.

With premium processing, USCIS adjudicates an H-1B transfer (Form I-129) in 15 business days. You can typically begin working for the new employer once the transfer is filed and received, under H-1B portability rules.

Yes. H-1B 'change of status' is available if your employer files Form I-129 while you are in valid F-1 / OPT status. Cap-gap rules can extend your work authorization until the H-1B start date so you don't fall out of status.

CPT (Curricular Practical Training) is work authorization tied to a course or program requirement and is used while you are still studying. OPT (Optional Practical Training) is up to 12 months of post-completion work authorization, with a 24-month STEM extension available for qualifying degrees.

F-1 students can work on campus with limits, and off campus through CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT once authorized. Unauthorized employment can jeopardize your status, so authorization should always be confirmed before you start.

You may be eligible for reinstatement by filing Form I-539 with USCIS, showing the violation was beyond your control or minor and that you intend to resume full-time study. Timing matters, so act quickly and get advice before filing.

For the spouse of a U.S. citizen filing inside the U.S. (adjustment of status), timelines commonly run 10–14 months. Consular processing abroad and preference categories for green-card-holder spouses can take longer depending on visa availability.

Adjustment of status (Form I-485) is for applicants already in the U.S. who become permanent residents without leaving. Consular processing is for applicants abroad, who complete their immigrant visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate before entering as residents.

Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens — spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents — have no annual visa cap, so their petitions are not subject to preference-category waiting lines.

Most green-card holders can file Form N-400 after 5 years of permanent residence (3 years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen), provided they meet continuous-residence, physical-presence, good-moral-character, and English/civics requirements.

A USCIS officer reviews your application, tests your English (speaking, reading, writing) and gives the civics test (up to 10 questions, 6 correct to pass), then makes a decision. We prepare you for the questions, documents, and procedural steps in advance.

An RFE (Request for Evidence) is USCIS asking for additional documentation before deciding your case. Read it carefully, address every point with targeted evidence, and respond before the deadline — a strong, well-organized response often turns an RFE into an approval. We handle RFE responses as part of our flat-fee scope.

We use flat, milestone-based fees quoted up front — not open-ended hourly billing. Government filing fees are separate and paid directly to USCIS. You always know the cost before you commit.

In most employment- and many family-based categories, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 qualify for derivative status and receive their own visas or green cards alongside yours.