Getting the Help of Immigration Lawyers for International Businesses
Every year, the United States witnesses a constant influx of individuals and businesses hoping to flourish in the land of opportunity.
However, the nature of business and immigration laws are both filled with complexity. There are multiple legal considerations if your enterprise wishes to expand its international operations in the US market. Or if you are a foreign founder planning to set up a business in America.
You need proper guidance and strategic help to ensure your business’s legitimate presence in the country — something only a business immigration lawyer can assist with.
Read on to learn more about why you need one and how to hire an immigration lawyer law firm.
Importance of Hiring an Immigration Lawyer
You can’t just enter the United States and kickstart your business operations. The path to reach there is difficult, considering it involves slogging through the harrowing world of acquiring visas. However, hiring a US business immigration lawyer would make everything a cakewalk for you.
They support you in incorporation by managing the A to Z of corporate formation in the country, including visa and citizenship-related requirements.
Still unsure? Let’s further discuss the importance of hiring an immigration lawyer.
Helps in Understanding the Law
The US immigration law is both convoluted and constantly changing. Whether you are a start-up or a multi-national corporation, you don’t have enough time on your hands to delve into the labyrinth of visa land.
One of the primary benefits of hiring an immigration lawyer is that they provide you with a list of things you need to address and help you accomplish them. They organize your paperwork and assist you in filing legal documents and forms related to your business setup.
Prevents and Avoids Delays
Time is money for a businessman, and an American business immigration attorney understands it well. They are knowledgeable and experts in corporate immigration policies.
Working as your representative, they ensure your application runs smoothly, and you don’t have to face any setbacks because of incorrect or incomplete details.
They help you tick off every deadline.
Helps in Choosing the Right Type of Visa
Various visas are prevalent in the United States for establishing a work presence and proceeding with domestic and international operations, acquisitions, mergers, and other business-related activities. As such, a business owner who wishes to create their establishment in the country must be thorough with different types to make the right choice.
The US business immigration lawyer will help you decide which visa is best for your business and kickstart its acquisition process.
How to Hire an Immigration Lawyer for Your Business?
Now that you know why you should hire an immigration lawyer, let’s learn how to hire one who would assist in scaling your international business operations.
Here are some practical steps to follow to make the right choice.
1. Research & Check the Experience
There is a lot at stake when it comes to setting up your business in a foreign land. Therefore, you can’t expect any mistakes regarding visa selection, paperwork, documentation, and addressing legal requirements.
So, first, engage in research — take help from your colleagues, relatives, search engines, or other sources to list the best immigration lawyers. Next, determine the expertise of each of them. Go for the one that has an experience of five or more years.
2. Look For AILA Membership
Your selected business immigration lawyer should be a part of AILA — American Immigration Lawyer Association. The AILA members have essential knowledge and are aware of the regular changes in the visa land. It would prove beneficial for your organization as they would be much better than others for the job.
3. Hire an Immigration Law Practitioner Only
“Jack of all trades and master of none”- you must have heard this saying. This also applies in the law field. If you look for an attorney who handles all kinds of legal things, you must be cautious before hiring them. The reason is if they have their hands already full with different matters, they won’t be able to stay up-to-date with changes in immigration laws.
4. Request for a Fixed Fee
When hiring an American business immigration attorney, request a clear estimate of the immigration legal fees. Some attorneys can charge you less, but they will increase the amount in the long run.
Though you won’t get a clear picture of the amount required for fulfilling the immigration requirements, you could plan better with an estimate.
5. Look for an Online Presence
A good immigration lawyer or firm will have a well-designed and informative website that features client testimonials and sheds light on their services. The online presence would add to their credibility and relevancy.
The lack of it would definitely be a red flag that they are unreliable.
The Bottom Line
The immigration process for businesses is complex and challenging. As such, hiring a reliable US business immigration lawyer will be of immense help since making any mistake will lead to the shutting down of business operations and other expensive charges.
However, hiring the right immigration lawyer for the job is also essential so you don’t struggle in unchartered waters.
Keep in mind the steps mentioned above to make the right selection.