Thursday 29 March 2012

L-1 Visa and its Process

L1 Visa is a good opportunity for those who are entrepreneurs or businessmen and expand into the US market or send employees to a US division on a periodic basis or for an extended duration of time. This visa category is applied to all types of business irrespective of their size and types. k visa for canadian As far as the L-1 Visa is concerned, it has three initial requirements that include the Employee must have been employed outside the U.S for at least one years in past three, he/she must have worked as a executive or senior manager or specialized knowledge worker, and the last point the employee is being transferred to U.S office (that is new) or parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate of the employer. When it comes to qualify for L1 visa, then it is vital to thoroughly evaluate your situation to determine if the L-1 visa is the appropriate choice or not. l1 visa According to the rules, aforementioned process or requirements are rigorously defined and applied by US citizenship and immigration services; therefore an applicant must be meticulously prepared and at the same time presented. However, consulting with immigration lawyers is vital at that time to avoid any hassle. There are a number of benefits of getting L1 visa. However, Canadian citizens are allowed to present L-1 application directly to a U.S. Border or other entry points like airport, sea port, etc. same sex sponsorship In addition to this, the applicants are decided by in-charge. According to laws, the L-1 visa is eligible for up to seven years; while for specialized knowledge workers, it is for five years. If you have L-1 visa holder, you can also apply for a Green Card that is truly a big advantage in it.

Its All About TN visa and its Requirements

The NAFTA Treaty Visa or TN visa is an agreement that is signed by the U.S.A Government, Canada, Mexico that created a trilateral trade bloc in North America. As far as TN Visa is concerned, then the status of the visa allows citizens of Mexico and Canada to work in the U.S.A so long as you fit within a certain or your selected occupational category. family class sponsorship It is a temporary visa that may be renewed in a certain time frame or 1 to 3 year increments. However, according to the latest trends, there is no cap on the amount of times it can be renewed. Talking deeply about TN visa, then the applicants can also bring their wife and children in the USA for the duration of the entry or after they have been granted TN status. As far as the TN status is concerned, it can be attained at the entry point that may be airport or border. tn visa However, there are different terms and conditions of the US visa as it does not require any completion of forms ant at the same time is not restricted by quotas or waiting periods. Needless to say, it is considered as the most easily attainable work visa for Canadians and Mexicans (only for those who qualify). Like other visa prospects, spousal sponsorship TN visa also has some certain requirements. Therefore, if you are going to apply for TN visa, you should seek help from experienced immigration lawyers who have expertise in visa clearance or in the process of applying.

Wednesday 21 March 2012

How to Apply for an Immigrant Investor Visa

The EB5 Investor Visa, also known as the immigrant investor visa is one of the least complicated visa processes available. However, several steps must be taken in order for an application to be processed. Eligibility requirements, time contingencies and preliminary documents must all be wisely considered prior to submitting an application. Once it's approved, the applicant's entire family may be able to achieve permanent resident status, which means eventually living in the U.S. with all the rights and freedoms of full United States citizens. Step 1: Explore Eligibility Three basic requirements are necessary for eligibility. First, the applicant must invest $500,000 in a new or existing U.S. commercial venture in a rural or underemployed area. The initial investment is $1 million for all other new or existing ventures. This investment must prove to be from a legal source, such as an inheritance or the sale of property - a very important requirement for an Immigrant Investor Visa. Next, the applicant must receive approval of the proper form, usually Form I-526. Immigration Solicitors Step 2: Evaluate Timelines and Deadlines The road to U.S. citizenship may take at least 7 years via the Eb5 Visa Program. It takes 6-9 months to process the initial petition for an immigrant investor visa. This is followed by a wait period of 1 year and 9 months before an applicant can apply to have conditions on the Green Card Visa removed. Once the conditions are removed and the applicant gains permanent resident status, she must wait another five years before applying for U.S. citizenship. Also, applicants are encouraged to keep in mind that the EB5 Visa Program is set to expire in 2012. Immigration Appeal Step 3: Prepare Preliminary Documents The immigrant investor visa requires several necessary documents that should be submitted along with the appropriate petition form. These include copies of an official passport, birth certificate, court records (if any), government issued photo ID and passport photo pages showing non-immigrant visas or entry. In addition, applicants should submit Forms I-325A, I-94, I-693 as well as Form I-797. These will show proper biographic information, arrival and departure records, medical examination and the applicant's vaccination record, respectively. Entrepreneur Visa Step 4: Prepare the Application If living outside the U.S., applicants must file Form I-526, immigrant petition by Alien Entrepreneur with the U.S. consulate office in their country for consular processing. If living inside the U.S., applicants must file Form I-485, and send the application to the Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Once the initial petition is filed and processed and the conditional green card visa is issued, a government agency must approve the investment and verify job creation. Then, the applicant may submit a second I-485 in order to have the conditions removed to achieve permanent residence.

How to Obtain an Investor Visa

If you are considering starting a business in the United States, you may want to make sure that you have all the information together first. Obtaining an investor visa is not something to take lightly. In order to be successful in any business whether you perform it in your own home country or you want to bring it over to the United States, you need to have a business plan and the entire business structure mapped out. Immigration Advice The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, notes that there are two different varieties of investor visa options. The first option is the EB-5 visa. This type of visa is for an immigration investor who brings their business into the USA and provides jobs in the country. This type of investor visa is also good for those who wish to invest in an existing business already established in the United States. Both of the investor visas is considered temporary and can lead to permanent residence if everything goes the way you wanted it to and you can prove that you have been able to manage a business. Immigration The EB-5 investor visa applicant must have at least 1,000,000 to invest in a business and must be able to employ ten jobs. There is no exception to this. If you do not have the right amount of capital then you will not be granted the visa to come into the United States and bring in the business needed to boost the economy and create more jobs. Not every business is a success so it is important to be certain of what you are offering the world before you present it. When in doubt, do more work. Immigration Law Another type of investor visa is the E-2 visa. This type of investor visa is for those coming from treaty nations. The E-2 investor visa requires that the immigrant who wants to come to the United States needs to make an initial investment into the economy by investing in an existing business, purchasing a business already operating in the United States, or by starting a business in the USA in order to boost the economy and employ at least ten people. The immigrant who obtains an investor visa is responsible for proving their commitment to their business plan and can show their work in a certain amount of time in order to stay in the USA otherwise they must return back to their country. It may be necessary sometimes to get immigration lawyers to represent you in your quest to file for an investor visa. You may find that some of the paperwork can be stressing and complicated to figure out. When you work hard to create a business, you want the security of a lawyer anyway so it may help to go ahead and hire representation before you begin paperwork. An immigration attorney can actually help you file the correct amount of paperwork so you don't lose any time trying to figure it all out and determine what you need to submit and what you don't. When you work hard for your money you want a plan to help see you through.

The Benefits of an Immigrant Investor Visa

If you are an affluent individual and would like to grow your assets, then the immigrant investor visa is a great choice. It is the visa that many foreign investors apply for, and expanding these individual's assets is not the only benefit that they get from applying for the EB5 investor visa. Here are some advantages of applying for the immigrant investor program of the United States of America. Immigration Appeal One of the greatest benefits of the immigrant investor visa is that, if approved, these individuals have a chance to live in the United States. These people can eventually become American citizens via the Eb-5 Green Card. After getting your immigrant investor visa approved, you can live in the United States. Then, after five years, you can apply for citizenship. Also, foreign investors are not the only ones who can live in the United States; they can also bring their family with them. And, in the same way, just like the investor, the family members can also enjoy the benefit of becoming American citizens after five years. Entrepreneur Visa Investors can choose where they want to live when they move to the United States. They can choose to live right where they open their new business, or within close proximity to their selected regional center. The United States is a large country, and the options for people looking for a place of residence are endless. Investor Visa For those who would like to enroll in higher education, the US has an excellent selection of colleges and universities. The country has many quality institutions that can provide investors with the best quality of education that they may need. Their children will also have the chance to study in the United States if they choose to do so. Therefore, one of the benefits of the Eb-5 Investor Visa is it allows investors to bring in their children to the US to study. Probably the most important benefit that the immigrant investor visa brings to foreign investors is the chance to set up their own business in the US. This country has lots of opportunities for people who are willing to work to reach their goals. Needless to say that just like any new endeavor, it will take a lot of time and effort to plan and execute the plans necessary to reach financial goals for the business. By now it should be clear that the Immigrant Investor Visa of the United States is highly beneficial to foreign investors. Moreover, the economy of the United States also benefits from the money that foreign investors bring into the country.

Immigration Policies

Immigration policies of countries reflect their attitude regarding immigration. There were no strict regulations regarding immigrations in the ancient period. With increase in the consciousness about political identity each country formulated a set of conditions, to regulate migration. Immigration policies are guiding principles for the procedure of immigration. The immigration policy is revised according to the motives of the government. The countries, which have low population growth, have liberal immigration policies. The growth of terrorism has forced countries to become more stringent in their immigration policies. Immigration The policy is a set of terms and conditions, which are essentially satisfied by the immigrants. Legal immigration is possible only for immigrants, who fulfill the eligibility criteria mentioned in the immigration policy of the country. The policy also determines the right of the immigrant in the country. The policy provides a comprehensive outlook to manage the economic and social life of the immigrant. Some countries have strict policies regarding the permitted activities of an immigrant in their country. The immigration promoting countries have lenient policies regarding the civic life of immigrants, which help them to integrate easily with the culture of the country. Immigration Law The government develops the policy according to the social and economic conditions prevailing in the country. The policies are legalized by immigration law. Population increase and anti immigrant sentiments influence the formulation of strict policies. Policies also consider issues regarding illegal immigration. The policies of many countries enforce strict regulations to limit illegal immigrants. The immigration policies of a few countries have provisions to provide amnesty to illegal immigrants. Immigration Solicitors Immigration process can be delayed if the policy requirements are not strictly adhered to. Awareness about the immigration policy is essential to avoid problems. The immigration office provides guidance about the policies of the country. Immigration attorneys and services also assist with necessary information. Internet is the best tool to gather information about the immigration policy a country.

Monday 12 March 2012

A Divorce Lawyer Can Help Determine if Alimony is An Option

Any spouse going through divorce can be awarded alimony to be paid by a formal spouse by the court. Alimony may also be an option decided upon by the divorcing couple. Alimony is intended to limit the financial effects a spouse may incur due to the divorce and provides a flow of income to spouses who have little or no income. Divorce attorneys are familiar with laws that apply to alimony and can help determine if it is a possible option during the divorce. Anyone in a situation where they cannot take care of themselves immediately should consult with a divorce lawyer to see if this kind of assistance can be temporarily given to them by the court.

Atlanta Law Firm 

These types of payments are not mandated by specific laws and the courts have a large amount of discretion when it comes to making the decision of awarding alimony and the amount of the payments. Many states base their alimony statutes on the Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act.

O.C.G.A.

This act suggests the courts base their decision on certain factors. The age, health, and financial situation of the former spouse are considered. Judges look at the length of time the spouse would need to be able to take care of themselves. Sometimes the standard of living throughout the marriage and the length of the marriage are factors. The paying spouse must be able to still support their needs while supporting their former spouse.

Family Law Lawyer Atlanta

Because these factors vary for every couple, it is hard to have a dependable estimate on what alimony rewards may be. Payments are not regulated by enforcement laws like child support. This makes it easy for the paying spouse to skip payments without any punishment for doing so. A spouse who is supposed to be receiving alimony payments can in some states go to court and have a judgment of contempt put in place forcing the other party to pay or be punished by the court.

Any time alimony is awarded, it is considered a rehabilitative measure. The amount of time a spouse can receive payments depends upon the amount of reasonable time it will take them to change their current situation and take care of themselves again. In some instances, the divorce decree will not state an end date for alimony payments. The payments must then be given until the court decides to stop them. Termination of payments happens when the former spouse remarries, on a date specified by the court, or upon death of the payer. Payment may be continued after death when the spouse cannot be reasonably employed due to age or a health condition. These payments then come out of the payer's estate or life insurance money.

Family Law And The Division Of Marital Assets

Determining what assets should be included as marital property and who gets these items can be a pretty big argument between divorcing couples. Property acquired before marriage may or may not be considered marital property. When a prenuptial agreement exists, it can help determine the marital assets and protect anything owned prior to marriage. Stay at home moms and other non-working spouses are protected by the court in some states and can receive part of the assets or compensation for them. Other factors such as who will be raising the children and who has more income can sway how everything is divided.

With the exception of rare circumstances, everything acquired throughout the marriage is included as marital property. These are things such as the home, vehicles, and bank account funds. By being married both parties agree to share financial gains and losses. Marital assets can be divided in two ways depending upon the standards of family law set in each state. Approximately ten states follow community property laws while the others use equitable distribution. Knowing the particular states laws can be very helpful in being prepared for the divorce and proceedings. Divorce lawyers can help determine which assets will be included as marital assets and most reasonable way to divide them.

Equitable distribution is the more common of the two ways to divide assets. Distribution of assets is not necessarily guaranteed to be 50/50 in these states. The court itself decides what division percentage is fair and reasonable for both parties. A court makes this decision based on many different factors. Some of them include the length of the marriage, both parties' income, responsibility for the children, and debt. Another factor is what each person had when they entered the marriage. A prenuptial agreement takes precedence over the laws definition of distribution and can make determining the marital assets much easier.


Remember these things when it comes to equitable distribution. Everything bought during the marriage will be divided. Who bought it or whose name is on the item does not matter. It is the responsibility of the divorcing couple to prove which assets are marital assets. This includes proving a spouse got rid of certain assets knowing divorce was inevitable.

Having knowledge of the state laws can make it easier to work with divorce lawyers in getting desired items or compensation. Finally, each party is also responsible for debt accrued during the marriage. Community property results in a 50/50 distribution of all marital assets. All debts are also marital property and will be equally split between both parties. Spouses who know their state follows community property laws may hide debt or increase it as a way to get even.

When a home is owned in more than one state, it may be possible to file for divorce in either state. Consult with someone familiar with family law to determine which state's laws will be most beneficial when filing for the divorce. People with higher incomes benefit more from equitable distributions states whereas someone who has no or very little income would benefit more by community property laws.

Law Firms Can Help You Determine If a Legal Separation is Best

Recently, an Atlanta personal injury lawyer has been making waves in the blogosphere with a creative new law firm marketing campaign. The attorney, now - and perhaps forever- has become known as the "Bald Lawyer." His billboard campaign has attracted attention not only in the ABA Journal, but also on a whole host of other sites, even showing up on the website of a major communications firm in the United Kingdom. With the amount of widespread positive attention he's receiving, it seems clear that his creative advertising effort was a complete success.

Innovative Law Firm Marketing: Standing Out From Your Competitors Law firm marketing has become ubiquitous, with a lawyer billboard on every corner and lawyers promising to get you a fast divorce or a big cash settlement during every commercial break. Because there is so much legal advertising going on, it can be very difficult to get potential clients to sit up and take notice.

Lawyers have a special challenge in getting customer's to pay attention, since unlike selling a sleek and sexy new car or a cool new beverage, lawyer's aren't selling a lifestyle. Many of the lawyers who advertise offer aid to people who usually will become interested in their services only when something has gone wrong, and for everyone else, their ads will blend into the background.

Even when someone is seeking a lawyer, clients are going to have a hard time differentiating between one lawyer's promise to "get justice" or "get results" and the similar promise made by countless others, often all standing in front of the same stock set of law books in the generic law office so popular in legal ads.

The Bald Lawyer ad works and stands out from other law firm marketing because it is different. It shatters the stereotype of the conservative, unapproachable and uptight lawyer by allowing the attorney to poke fun at himself... yet it does this without undermining the law or the legal profession. The billboard also stands out because it attracts attention and because it gives the reader a memorable image. That image is accompanied by a website directly related to it, which fixes itself in the viewer's mind right along with the image, becoming easy to remember.

Clients who see the bald lawyer ad will take more notice of it- even if just for a few seconds out of curiosity- than they would just another lawyer ad. This can translate into the ad staying in their minds, consciously or subconsciously. In turn, when they need a lawyer, they may just be tempted to visit the website they remember from the billboard where the client can learn about the services the bald lawyer offers.

Creating Your Own Innovative Ad

Other attorneys who wish to take their law firm marketing efforts to the next level can take a page out of the bald lawyer's book. The ad is an important reminder that innovation is key in successful legal marketing, and that by offering clients some way to distinguish you from your competitors (preferably a memorable way), you can stand out from the rest. When crafting your own marketing campaign, think of what makes you different. What aspects of your law practice management or law firm help you to stand out from the crowd and add value to your clients? If you can identify something that sets you apart and you can present that something in a new and creative way, your law firm marketing campaign is sure to be a great success.