Chicago H-1B Visas

Dedicated, Experienced Legal Guidance for Your H-1B Visa Application

If you are an international worker in the United States on an H-1B visa, you may be considering applying for permanent residency through the green card process. In order to do so, you will need to have your current H-1B visa petition either approved or converted to a different nonimmigrant visa category. Our Chicago immigration attorney can help you navigate this process, and we can also assist you in any other immigration-related matters you may need assistance with.

At Aparicio Immigration Law, we have over a decade of experience handling immigration matters and have helped thousands of people throughout the United States. Let us help you today! Call (312) 313-6707 or contact us online to set up a consultation.

What Is the H-1B Visa?

The H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa that is available to foreign workers who are being temporarily employed in the United States in a specialty occupation. This visa is intended to allow foreign workers to come to the United States for up to six years to work for their sponsoring employer. H-1B visa holders can also apply for an extension of their visa for up to another six years.

The H-1B visa is a temporary work visa, and it is not intended to allow workers to establish permanent residence in the United States. However, if you have an H-1B visa and are considering applying for a green card, you will need to have your H-1B visa petition approved or converted to a different nonimmigrant visa category.

Once the H-1B visa petition is approved, the foreign worker will be granted a visa stamp in their passport and be permitted to work in the United States for their sponsoring employer for the duration of their visa. The employer will also be required to pay a "premium processing" fee of $1225.00 to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

What Happens If My Petition Is Not Approved?

If your H-1B visa petition is not approved, you will need to have it converted to a different nonimmigrant visa category. In some cases, this can be done without having to leave the United States. In other cases, you may need to return to your home country to have your visa category changed.

If you are currently in the United States on an H-1B visa, you can apply for a green card through the employment-based second preference category. This requires you to have your H-1B visa petition approved or converted to a different nonimmigrant visa category.

What To Do After Approval

Once your H-1B visa petition is approved or converted, you will need to go through the green card process. This includes submitting additional paperwork and paying various fees. Your application will also be reviewed by USCIS and an immigration judge. The judge will review your application and determine if you are eligible for a green card. If you are approved, you will be granted a green card, which will allow you to live and work in the United States permanently.

Why Should I Choose Aparicio Immigration Law?

Our Chicago immigration attorney, Maria Aparicio, has more than a decade of experience handling immigration matters and has helped thousands of people throughout the United States. We can work with you to help you understand the H-1B visa process and to help you navigate the steps that you will need to take to apply for a green card. We will also work with you to determine if you have any other options available to you that may be more suitable to your needs. We can help you understand what you can expect throughout the process and can provide you with the dedicated, experienced legal guidance you need to secure your immigration goals.

Call (312) 313-6707 or contact us online to set up a consultation with our Chicago H-1B visas attorney.