Specialization That Meets Every Need

The Law Office of Harvey Shapiro delivers broad expertise across the full spectrum of immigration law.

We focus on delivering customized solutions to individual situations. Our professionals work hard to facilitate and expedite all facets of workforce acquisition, immigration and naturalization, certification and approval relevant to your needs, including:

• U.S. immigration services - personal and confidential in-person and telephonic consultations and preparation of nonimmigrant and immigrant visa petitions particularly focused on foreign professional workers, executives, managers and key personnel with advanced level training and specialized skills
  
  
• Overseas visa services - assistance in obtaining visas for expatriates employed abroad and representation of investors and entrepreneurs at American consulates around the world
  
  
• Accelerated processing - working closely with corporate clients to develop innovative, effective and efficient approaches to immigration and labor in the preparation of applications and petitions, resulting in faster processing and significant savings

We process the following VISA Options:

H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa for Professional Workers
To obtain an H-1B visa the beneficiary must have a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent ( based upon a combination of education and experience in a related field) and a job offer which requires the degree or its equivalent. The visa petition is filed by the U.S. employer and the work authorization is specific to the job.

It is necessary to obtain an approved labor condition attestation from the Department of Labor prior to filing the petition with the Immigration Service. Spouses and minor children are eligible for H-4 dependent visa status which does not allow employment authorization.

The H-1B visa petition may be approved for an initial period of three years and may be extended for an additional three-year period. In some circumstances, an extension of stay beyond the maximum six-year limit is possible.

L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa
The L-1 intracompany transferee visa may be utilized by managers, executives and persons holding specialized knowledge who own or are employed by a business abroad. The company must have a U.S. branch office or affiliate, and the beneficiary must have been employed abroad for a period of 12 months prior to the filing of the L-1 visa petition. The maximum period of admission for managers and executives is seven years, with a five-year limit for the specialized knowledge category.

Spouses and minor children are eligible for L-2 dependent visa status. Spouses are eligible for employment authorization. Top

E-1 Treaty Trader / E-2 Treaty Investor Visa
Nationals of selected countries are eligible to obtain Treaty Trader or Treaty Investor visas. The E-1 Treaty Trader visa requires that at least 51% of the company's trade be between the treaty country and the U.S. The E-2 Treaty Investor visa requires a substantial investment in a U.S. business which must be controlled by treaty nationals.. The E visa can be extended indefinitely as long as there is a need for the investor to direct and control the U.S. enterprise. Essential employee E's are expected to be replaced by U.S. trained personnel.

Spouses and minor children are eligible for dependent E visa status. Spouses are eligible for employment authorization.. Top

TN Treaty NAFTA Visas
Canadian and Mexican citizens are eligible to obtain one-year professional work visas in selected professions. NAFTA visa status can be renewed annually. NAFTA provides for work visas for qualified. Employers may choose to obtain TN visas for eligible workers due to expeditious processing procedures and less restrictive salary requirements than H-1B professional workers.

Spouses and minor children may not work with the treaty dependent (T.D.) visa status. Top

J-1 Trainee Visa
The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program is aimed at promoting cultural exchange. This visa may be an option for students, researchers, specialists, visiting faculty, medical and other trainees in a wide variety of industries and occupations. The industrial trainee sub-category is particularly suitable to individuals who do not have university degrees.

Spouses may also obtain discretionary employment authorization. Top

B-1 Visitor for Business / B-2 Visitor for Pleasure
The most common visa categories are the B-1 Visitor for Business and the B-2 Visitor for Pleasure. Depending on each country's reciprocity schedule, these visas may be granted for up to ten years. The applicant must demonstrate an intention to return to his/her home country upon completion of his/her proposed stay in the USA. The applicant must alos demonstrate a means of financial support from abroad which will obviate the need of the applicant to seek employment in the USA. Recently adopted regulations will result in individuals being admitted for 30 days or less, unless they state and prove a purpose of their visit that justifies a longer period of admission. Top

Visa Waiver Program
The visa waiver program permits business or pleasure visits to the U.S. for three months without having to apply for a visa at an American Consulate prior to seeking entry to the USA. This option is now available to citizens of many countries. Top

F-1 Student (or M-1 Vocational Student) Visa
The F-1 Student or M-1 Vocational Student visa is useful to become acquainted with American culture and take advantage of the many fine educational institutions in the U.S. Prospective students must demonstrate an intention to return to their home country once their studies in the U.S. are complete. They must also demonstrate the financial capability for support. Students may be eligible for up to one year of employment authorization ( practical training) while studying or upon completion of studies. Top

H-3 Trainee Visa
The H-3 trainee visa is available for up to two years. An established training program is required. Top

O Visas for Persons of Extraordinary Ability in Arts, Business, Education, Science or Athletics The O visa category is very broad and includes persons of extraordinary ability in the arts, business, education, science and athletics. Professors, researchers, painters, chefs, investment bankers, film and theater producers and writers, and business executives are a few examples of persons who may qualify for O visa status. Consultations with peer groups must be obtained. Top

P Visas for Group Entertainers and Athletes
The P Visa is for entertainers who perform as a group and athletes. It also requires consultation with unions regarding the nature of the work and the artists' qualifications. The eligibility standards for P-1 classification give preference to established groups. Admission of P applicants is limited to the period of the event. Top

P-3 Culturally Unique Performances
The P-3 visa is for performing artists who have not achieved international acclaim, but are culturally unique. They also require union and peer group advisories and may be approved for up to one year. The visa can be extended annually. Top

Q Cultural Exchange Visa
Individuals coming to participate in a cultural exchange who are over the age of eighteen may obtain a fifteen-month cultural exchange visa. This is non-extendable. Top

R-1 Religious Worker Visa
The R-1 religious worker category has lenient standards for persons affiliated with Internal Revenue Service-recognized tax-exempt religious organizations and allows them to obtain work visas. The initial period of admission on an R visa is three years, but this visa may be extended. Top

Family Sponsored Immigrants
U.S. citizens are eligible to sponsor spouses, children, parents and brothers and sisters for permanent residence. Spouses, minor children and parents are exempt from the annual quota. Beneficiaries may be eligible for adjustment of status or consular processing. Permanent residents of the United States may sponsor spouses and unmarried children.

Fiance(e)s of U.S. citizens may be eligible for K-1 visas. The parties must marry within 90 after the alien's arrival in the United States. Top