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Advice on selecting and obtaining a proper visa
We advise you on selecting and obtaining the proper visa (for all types of immigrant and non-immigrant visas) to enter the United States, including representation in the United States, at the border and, where local consular policy allows, at U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide.
Please note that in the aftermath of 09/11, applications for student (F-1) visas and, in many cases ordinary visitor (B-2) visas are now being viewed with increasing suspicion and subjected to increased scrutiny by many Consulates due to legitimate security concerns. (Please see our separate information page on B-2 visitor/tourist visas).
This increasing scrutiny is also due to the high incidence of misrepresentation, abuse and rates of overstays on these types of visas from some issuing posts as well as the aftereffects of 09/11. Any denial then tends to make all subsequent visa applications less and less likely to be granted unless the applicant's circumstances have changed significantly. It is therefore critical that proper visa selection decisions be made and proper documentation prepared prior to any visa application.
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Petitions for Adjustment of Status
We can help you with Petitions for Adjustment of Status (changing from non-immigrant to immigrant status) and extensions or changes in types of non-immigrant visas by persons already in the United States. Timing in the filing of petitions for adjustment of status is critical. New provisions of the 1996 Act and subsequent reforms often make it more difficult to adjust status and impose harsh penalties for overstays and other technical violations. Extensions and/or changes in status for non-immigrant visa holders while they are in the United States are possible in many cases when sufficient justification exists. However, in the absence of any urgent, lawful reason to avoid or delay consular processing of visa changes or extensions, we strongly recommend and prefer consular processing and are happy to assist you in preparing for your visa changes using the consular process.
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Representation
We represent you at all stages of family sponsored immigration. Please note, that with the exception of immediate family members, as defined by the INA, quotas apply which may affect the length of time required.
Additional, more detailed information about family based immigration may be found at our page on Family Based Immigration Categories.
We also represent you in K-1 Fiancé visa cases. Our practice has handled dramatically larger numbers of K visa Fiancé cases in recent years due to the increasing difficulties now being experienced by many couples in successfully negotiating this process.
Changes in immigration laws and regulations since 1996, particularly relating to grounds of inadmissibility and eligibility for waivers of inadmissibility bars, have made a previously straightforward, generally self-help, process into a minefield for many unsuspecting couples. The scope of our representation in these matters varies widely, from a single consultation to advise clients on procedures and pitfalls to avoid, to full representation and seeking of waivers for inadmissibility grounds.
For additional information about Fiancé cases please see our separate K-1 page.
Finally, we can also represent you at all stages of employment based immigration including the Labor Certification process, immigration petitions based upon special skills, training and education, or Treaty Investor/Treaty Trader applications.
For additional information, please see our separate page about employment based immigration cases.
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Help with the Green Card Lottery
Advice and assistance with Green Card Lottery applications also known as Diversity-based Applications. Designed to offer immigration opportunities to citizens of countries with historically lower rates of immigration to the America. The Diversity Lottery provides 50,000-55,000 immigrant visas (green cards) to people throughout the world who are selected in a yearly lottery. Although not a complex matter, many, many applications are rejected every year and not included in the lottery drawing due to minor technical mistakes in the application or procedures of filing.
For example, sending two (2) applications (usually for a husband and wife) in one envelope may result in both applications being thrown out. This is just one of many minor technical mistakes which will result in a lottery application being thrown out before the drawing even occurs. Our offices offer a low cost and efficient service for filing of lottery applications which comply with all necessary filing and procedural requirements.
For additional information, please visit our page about the "Green Card Lottery".
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Naturalization Process
We offer advice and representation throughout the Naturalization process (becoming a U.S. citizen). Services include not only filing of N-400 applications and attendance at naturalization interviews, but petitions for Medical Disability Exemptions from the English language requirement and other less common naturalization matters.
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Exclusion and Removal (Deportation) Proceedings
We may help during the serious, adversarial proceedings with extremely high stakes for the person threatened with removal.
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Worldwide Consular Representation
Our attorneys can and do represent visa applicants and/or beneficiaries in person by attending interviews with the client at U.S. Embassies and Consulates throughout the world. Please be aware that although the Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual strongly encourages all U.S. Embassies and Consulates to respect a right to legal representation, local policy prevails.
Some Embassies and Consulates commendably allow full attorney representation at all types of interviews for all applicants/beneficiaries, others allow representation at some types of proceedings and not others, and some allow no right to counsel whatsoever, denying petitioners and beneficiaries alike the benefit of competent counsel.
Our offices endeavor, with special thanks to the American Immigration Lawyers Association, to keep up to date information on policies and procedures at U.S. Embassies and Consulates throughout the world. Please contact our offices if you have questions about a specific Embassy or Consulate.
We feel very strongly about this issue and encourage all of our clients to contact their elected representatives and the Department of State to ask their support for full and complete rights to legal representation at all U.S. Embassies and Consulates.
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Translation of Thai Documents
Translation of all Thai language documents is performed for our clients in Thai cases at no additional charge above our customary case fees. Our office also performs certified translations of Thai language documents for non-clients. Fees for document translations are as follows:
"Standard" Thai
Government Form Documents
(i.e., Identity Cards, Birth Certificates, Marriage Registrations, Death
Certificates, etc.)
Fee 500 Baht per document.
All other Thai language documents: Fee 8 Baht/word.
Standard mailing cost inside or outside Thailand is included in the above fees. If Federal Express or other expedited courier service is requested, an additional charge (actual cost) may apply. In person drop off and/or pick up of translated documents is available at our office Monday - Friday, or by appointment.
Our translator is a native Thai speaker with a University degree in English and 20 years employment by native English speaking employers. She is completely familiar with the requirements of U.S. immigration law relating to translations and certifications.For non-client translation services please direct your inquiry to Khun Phutiporn in our office at Bangkokoffice@aol.com.
