Employment-Based Immigration for Professionals, Employers & Investors in Chicago
Choosing the right work or employment visa category shapes your timeline, your eligibility, and where you land in the U.S. immigration system. At Aparicio Immigration Law, we’ve guided individuals, families, businesses, and investors through that process since 2013, handling immigration matters exclusively from our office in Cook County, less than one mile from the Chicago Immigration Court. Founder Victor Aparicio is an immigrant himself. He’s navigated the U.S. immigration system firsthand, and that perspective shapes how our entire team approaches every case.
Our bilingual team communicates in English and Spanish with clear, straightforward language. No jargon. No confusion about where your case stands. If you’re looking for an employment visa attorney in Chicago who understands both the legal and personal dimensions of this process, we’re ready to talk.
Whether you’re an employee, employer, or investor, our team can help you identify the right path forward. Call us at (312) 313-6707 to schedule a consultation.
Work & Employment Visa Categories We Handle
Work and employment visas fall into two broad tracks: temporary nonimmigrant visas that authorize work for a defined period, and immigrant visas that lead to a permanent employment-based green card. The right category depends on your qualifications, your employer’s situation, and your long-term goals. We handle both tracks.
Nonimmigrant Work Visas:
Temporary visas such as H-1B, L-1, O visa, and E-2 allow foreign nationals to work in the U.S. under conditions tied to an employer, a specific role, or a qualifying investment. Each has distinct eligibility criteria and status rules. We handle H-1B and O visa matters alongside our dedicated E-2 and L-1 services.
Immigrant Employment Visas (EB Green Cards):
The EB preference categories, EB-1 through EB-5, provide a path to permanent residency. Eligibility requirements, employer sponsorship obligations, and waiting periods differ significantly by category. Many EB-2 and EB-3 petitions require PERM labor certification from the U.S. Department of Labor before a USCIS petition can be filed. We handle all five categories as distinct services, each with its own approach.
Why Chicago Clients Work With Aparicio Immigration Law
Our proximity to the Chicago Immigration Court isn’t just a convenience. Our attorneys are familiar with the judges and attorneys who work there, which matters when an employment visa matter intersects with removal proceedings or status challenges. Our team also brings substantial litigation experience to these matters.
- Founded by an immigrant: Victor Aparicio has personal experience with the U.S. immigration process. That firsthand understanding informs how we build strategy and communicate with clients.
- Bilingual service: Our team communicates in English and Spanish, clearly and without legal jargon.
- Court-adjacent office: Located in Cook County, less than one mile from the Chicago Immigration Court.
- Exclusive immigration practice: We handle immigration and related legal matters only.
- Diverse professional backgrounds: Our team brings varied backgrounds to complex cases, delivering tailored strategies rather than one-size-fits-all filings.
Aparicio Immigration Law is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the Illinois State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, and Lawyers for the Creative Arts.
Cases We Handle
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FAMILY BASED IMMIGRATION
- Family Petition
- Adjustment of Status (Green Card)
- Waivers
- Consular Process
- K-1 Visa
- Citizenship
- Military Parole
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HUMANITARIAN BASED IMMIGRATION
4.9 ★ Google Rating
Join Thousands of Immigrants Who Have Successfully Reached Their Immigration Goals
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"I got the incredible news that my case was granted, Victor Aparicio is very professional and very knowledgeable about what to do in cases of immigration, excellent service."- Gilma V.
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"He is constantly brainstorming solutions to complex immigration problems, and the results speak for themselves."- Moises B.
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"I've worked with him in the past, and I've also been a client of his. He made a very complicated and delicate process easy to understand."- Laura G.
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"Victor Aparicio is a very professional and knowledgeable immigration lawyer. I've worked with him in the past, and I've also been a client of his. He made a very complicated and delicate process easy to understand."- Marina M.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need an Employer to Sponsor Me for a Work Visa?
Most nonimmigrant work visas and many employment-based green card categories do require an employer sponsor. However, some pathways allow self-petitioning without a job offer. The EB-1 extraordinary ability category and the EB-2 National Interest Waiver are two examples where an employer isn’t required; both can be filed as self-petitions. Whether you have a sponsoring employer or not, a work visa attorney in Chicago can help you identify which options are actually available to you.
Can I Switch Employers While on a Work Visa?
It depends on your visa category. H-1B holders can port to a new employer once a new petition is filed with USCIS. L-1 and O visa holders are tied to the sponsoring employer and cannot transfer the same visa to a new employer. Any employer change should be reviewed before it happens. A status lapse can have serious downstream consequences, so this isn’t a decision to make without legal guidance.
What’s the Difference Between a Temporary Work Visa and an Employment-Based Green Card?
Temporary nonimmigrant work visas authorize employment for a defined period tied to a specific employer or role. Employment-based green cards through the EB preference categories grant permanent residency and aren’t tied to a single employer once the process is complete. Which path makes sense depends on your situation and long-term goals.
How Can a Work Visa Lawyer Help With My Application?
An employment visa lawyer in Chicago can identify the correct visa category, prepare petition documents, respond to Requests for Evidence from USCIS, and coordinate with employers on compliance requirements. If your case intersects with immigration court proceedings, having an attorney familiar with the Chicago Immigration Court can make a meaningful difference. Contact Aparicio Immigration Law at (312) 313-6707 to discuss your situation.