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Three Things They Do Not Tell You About the Visa Immigration Process
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The United States offers freedoms and opportunities that most people cannot find in their own countries, which is why approximately 1,000,000 individuals enter the country legally each year in the hopes of making the Land of the Free their home. However, while the country affords many possibilities, getting here, at least legally, is a struggle. At Kriezelman, Burton & Associates, LLC, we strive to make the visa and migration process as easy as possible on our clients. Part of doing that is informing hopeful visa applicants of what the lengthy process entails. If you and your family plan on migrating to the U.S., there are five things you need to know regarding the process.
The Filing Fee is Not Cheap
Most visa applicants understand that they are required to pay a filing fee, but most are shocked when they discover how much said fee is. Depending on from where a person originates, the filing fee can be upwards of $1,000—per person. For a family from a developing country, this amount can be bank breaking, if not impossible to come up with. Once in the U.S., visa holders are permitted to apply for permanent residency, which costs an additional $1,070 per person. To apply for citizenship, the fee is slightly less, at $680 per person.
The Application is Much More Than “A Page or Two”
Individuals who have not researched the application process or who have never had to go through it before assume that the application is just a page or two long. In fact, the “simplicity of the application” is often an argument used to put down illegal immigrants. The truth is that the application process is far from simple, and it often requires filling out dozens of forms, submitting just as many affidavits, and collecting phone bills, birthday cars, photos, and other pieces of documentation that most people do not think to keep. If you plan on gaining visa status in the U.S., you should start collecting as much documentation that proves your identity as possible—especially if you plan to seek residency through marriage.
The Approval Process is Lengthy
Once you submit your application, your wait is not done. Though processing times vary depending on unique circumstances and one’s reason for wanting to move to the U.S., the processing time can take a year or longer. For instance, the processing time for a petition for an alien relative is between 18 and 113 months, depending on which relative is applying. The average processing time for an immigrant petition for an alien worker is between five and 12 months, a timeframe that should provide some perspective, as alien workers are usually on a strict deadline. The petition for an alien fiancé typically takes between five and seven months to process.
What You Can Do to Make the Application Process Easier
While there is no shortcutting the system, you can make the process easier on yourself by retaining the help of a Chicago immigration attorney. At Kriezelman, Burton & Associates, LLC, we strive to take the headache out of the immigration process by helping clients with every aspect of the application process, including the gathering of identifying documentation. If you wish to make America your home, start off on the right foot and call our office today.
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My aunt was recently detained by ICE and sent to El Paso, Texas to the East Montana Detention Facility. This place is essentially a prison in the middle of the desert, and the majority of the detainees here get deported. My family and I interviewed a dozen immigration attorneys around the country to help my aunt, and we decided to hire Kevin Raica, an attorney with Kriezelman Burton and Associates.…
Our case was very difficult, and at times it felt like there was no way out. My wife was detained for a long period of time, and it was an extremely challenging experience for our family. Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC truly changed our situation. I would especially like to thank our attorney, Brittni Rivera, as well as Natalia. They were attentive, honest, and always ready to help. It was…
I cannot recommend Kevin Raica highly enough. He helped me successfully obtain my U.S. green card, and the entire process was smooth and stress-free because of his expertise and dedication. From start to finish, Kevin was professional, organized, and extremely knowledgeable about immigration law. He made sure every document was prepared correctly and took the time to explain each step clearly. Anytime I had questions, he responded promptly and made…
Great experience with this attorney office. They helped me with my I-751 waiver after divorce. Kevin was very professional, and supported me through the interview. Everything went smoothly and my case was approved. Highly recommend!
We contacted Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, based on a recommendation, when my wife was detained by ICE. Attorney Khiabett Osuna handled our case, and it turned out to be the right choice. From the very beginning, she proved herself to be a caring and competent professional, clearly explaining the process. You can tell she's truly invested in each case and achieving results for her clients. We've also heard of…
I would like to express my gratitude to Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, and especially to attorney Khiabett Osuna, who handled my case. I contacted them based on a recommendation and have never regretted it. From the very beginning, she demonstrated high professionalism. I could tell she was genuinely committed to the outcome and was doing everything possible to protect her client.
Mr. Kriezelman, Mr. Burton and Ms. Erin Cobb, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for handling my case. Your knowledge and dedication to my case is truly appreciated. Thank you.
I highly recommend Brittni Rivera. We are very grateful to her and the entire team at Kriezelman Burton & Associates. Your dedication, responsiveness, and compassion made an enormous difference during an incredibly difficult time. Serving as the liaison between Brittni Rivera and our friend in ICE detention, I saw firsthand how tirelessly she worked guiding us through the process, answering every question, and never losing sight of the humanity at…
Andrea C. Ochoa is truly the best of the best. ❤️ Our family went through one of the most difficult and frightening experiences of our lives when Feruz was detained by ICE. We felt lost, scared, and unsure of what would happen next. From the very beginning, Andrea brought us not only her professionalism and deep legal knowledge, but also something even more important — hope. She guided us through…
Thank you Matthew for all your help with my case. Highly recommend
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