Introduction
If you are going to the United States and filling out a visa form, you might be wondering if you really need an immigration lawyer. Some online sources will say yes, you must have one. But others suggest you can get by on your own as long as you have your paperwork.
This can make it tough to figure out what to do because you just want to make sure your visa is done right, on time, and gets approved. Even though it is not compulsory to get an immigration lawyer in Houston, TX to help you sort your visa issues, getting an immigration lawyer in Houston, TX who knows their way around immigration in, could really help you out.
A team of experienced immigration lawyers in Houston, TX is all in on helping people and their families with their immigration stuff, like visas. A big part of what they do is dealing with visa applications and appeals. You can be sure of getting it right with the training, skills, and experience of an immigration lawyer in Houston, TX in this area.
An immigration lawyer in Houston, TX, understands how crucial it is for a family to get their documents sent out and approved quickly, which is why they provide personalized help that is also good for your wallet.
Read on to learn more about the visa process and how an immigration lawyer in Houston, TX, can assist you with your visa.
Overview of the US visa process
Before diving into the visa issues, let us first understand what a visa is all about. Basically, a visa lets you get into the US. It is like a stamp on your passport that shows where you are going and how long you will be here.
Whether you need a visa or not depends on where you are from, how long you plan to stay, and what you are going to do while you are in the US. Plus, there is a Visa Waiver Program that lets people from certain countries visit the US for up to 90 days without needing a visa. You can get to know the countries that are part of this program by talking with an immigration lawyer in Houston, TX.
As you might be picking up, getting a visa can get pretty complicated. So, it might be a good idea to talk to an immigration lawyer in Houston, TX, to make sure you have all the requirements sorted.
There are all sorts of visas out there for people coming to the US, whether they are immigrants or just visiting. An immigration lawyer in Houston, TX helps folks from Texas and all over the world find the right visa for them and then helps them meet all the necessary requirements.
Whether you are already in the US without permission or just planning a visit from abroad, an immigration lawyer in Houston, TX, is the right person for the job. Trying to figure out your immigration issues on your own is tough. Let an immigration lawyer in Houston, TX, handle it for you. You will save both time and money with an experienced team of immigration lawyers in Houston, TX, by your side.
Visa options and extension in the US
There are basically two kinds of visas in the US:
- Immigrant visas.
These are given out by the USCIS and other government bodies to people who want to move to the US permanently. Once you get one, you usually get a green card.
- Non-immigrant visas.
These are for people from other countries who just want to visit the US for different reasons, like tourism, studying, or work. An example are the B-1 and B-2 visas, also called “visitor visas,” which are for business or fun trips. You can get one for up to a year.
Since visas often have limits on how long you can stay in the US, a lot of people ask immigration lawyers in Houston, TX, “Can I get my visa extended or renewed?” The answer is, “it depends.” Every visa is different when it comes to renewals. Some can be extended for 2-3 years, others need you to leave the US for a bit before you can apply again, and some can’t be easily renewed.
Is it mandatory to hire an immigration lawyer in Houston, TX for visa issues?
There is no compulsion when it comes to hiring an immigration lawyer in Houston, TX, but getting an immigration lawyer in Houston, TX can really help smoothen the application process. A good immigration lawyer in Houston, TX will make sure your forms are complete, backed up, and timely. They will sort out quickly any extra questions or requests from immigration people.
Not having an immigration lawyer in Houston, TX may take you longer to complete your application, especially if something is missing or if they ask a bunch of questions. Moreover, if you are not sure whether you will get a visa due to something in your background or due to the very reason you apply for it, getting an immigration lawyer in Houston, TX is pretty much a must just to make sure that your rights are not trampled on. Therefore, even if you believe your application is straightforward, it is still a good idea to get legal advice if it looks a bit shaky.
Possible visa issues
Most folks end up in trouble with the law in the US because they stay past their visa’s expiration. Staying past your visa’s due date is a big no that could keep you out of the US if you want to stay on the right side of the law and keep your visa valid. If you are planning to renew your visa, it is a good idea to start the process about 6 months before it is set to expire, especially if you are working with an immigration lawyer in Houston, TX. If you are handling it on your own, you should get started sooner.
You are stepping into trouble with the law from the moment you arrive in the US illegally if you overstay your visa. Being here illegally means you are in trouble, and you should get in touch with one of our immigration lawyers in Houston, TX, right away. They might be able to help you lessen the blow.
If you have been here for less than 6 months without permission, you could face a 3-year ban from coming back to the US. If you have been here for more than 6 months, you could be looking at a 10-year ban. But, in some cases, you might be able to get a temporary pass to stay here without permission.
You can learn about immigration bar waivers by talking to one of our immigration lawyers in Houston, TX. Generally, you will have a better shot at getting one if you are working with a pro-immigration lawyer in Houston, TX.
Other visa issues you should avoid
Even though there is no obligation to hire an immigration lawyer in Houston, TX, there are a few things you should avoid doing or not doing at all, especially if you are applying for a visa.
- Don’t use a company that makes legal forms or prepares documents for you.
There are tons of these companies out there, especially if you are not from the US. A lot of them will charge you too much and not do a good job. Some of the forms they offer are free online or even provided by the government. Plus, you might not even get help from a real immigration lawyer in Houston, TX, which could make the forms not work as well.
- Don’t leave any parts of your application blank or skip over questions you don’t understand.
Immigration officers won’t help you fill in the blanks or answer your questions for you. If you leave something out or don’t answer a question, your application could be rejected. Sometimes, you might get asked to fix it or answer the question again, but other times, your application will be denied completely.
- Don’t guess at questions if you don’t understand them.
If you are not sure what a question is asking, don’t guess; try to answer it. Whether it is because you don’t understand the language or just don’t know how to answer, always get an immigration lawyer in Houston, TX to look at your question and help you come up with the right answer. If you guess wrong, it could mean your visa application gets denied, and if you are already in the US, it could even lead to being kicked out.
Get help!
While one is not compelled by the law to hire an immigration lawyer in Houston, TX in dealing with visa issues, getting one can surely increase one’s chances of getting it right. This is especially valid in a situation where you are in a rush and your papers need to be in order the soonest possible time.
In case you fill out a visa form on your own, mistakes make the process drag on longer due to having to backtrack and correct parts of it. Let our experienced immigration lawyers in Houston, TX at Gehi and Associates help you and your family today.
Schedule your first free consultation with us now, and let us make it easier to achieve the desired visa outcome and show you your options at each turn.