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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Below find some of the most frequently asked questions submitted by potential clients to our law office with our brief answers. If you have a question that is not addressed below, please send us an e-mail and we will be happy to respond.
- What factors should I consider when picking an immigration lawyer to help me with a case?
- Why should I choose Visa Law Group to represent me?
- If I do not live or work in the Washington-DC/Maryland/Virginia area, can the Visa Law Group still be my attorney?
- What is the importance of an initial free evaluation of my case options?
- Once I obtain my free evaluation and if I like the proposed plan, how do I formally start the process to hire Visa Law Group as my lawyers?
- Generally, how much are the legal fees, and can I pay in installments?
- How can I pay my legal fees and costs?
- Once I submit my signed legal services agreement and first payment, what happens next?
- Who is responsible for filling out all of the many government forms required for my case?
- Is Visa Law Group willing to contact my sponsor to help answer questions about my immigration case?
- How does my case get submitted to the government?
- What is the best way for me to keep in touch with my lawyer at Visa Law Group and to ask questions?
- As a client of Visa Law Group, will I receive a copy of the final petitions that are filed on my behalf?
- How long will it take the INS to review my case and to issue a decision?
- I have received a lot of conflicting information regarding the qualifications for different visa programs and INS processing times from my friends and from the Internet. What should I believe?
Q1 What factors should I consider when picking an immigration lawyer to help me with a case?
A1 Picking a qualified lawyer is perhaps the most important decision a person must make in the entire immigration process. A good lawyer must be able to guide you skillfully through each step of the petition process and help you with the planning, preparation and filing of your visa petitions. So, we recommend that an individual ask any potential lawyer the following questions before signing a contract for legal services:
(a) How many years has the lawyer been practicing in the field of immigration?
(b) Does the lawyer concentrate exclusively in immigration law?
(c) Does the lawyer appear to have a good reputation –such as appearing in newspapers or publishing articles in professional legal journals about immigration?
(d) How many cases has the lawyer handled in the past that are very similar to my specific type of immigration case?
(e) Does the lawyer respond quickly to my calls and e-mail requests for information?
(f) Does the lawyer’s initial evaluation give me a sense of confidence in his/her proposed plan and ability to implement the case?
(g) Are the lawyer’s legal fees reasonable as compared to other skilled lawyers in the region?
Q2 Why should I choose Visa Law Group to represent me?
A2 Visa Law Group and its attorneys are highly respected in the area of immigration. Directing our Washington, DC office, Mr. David Morris has been an immigration attorney for more than 10 years. He has been interviewed for immigration issues on national TV, radio, and in major newspapers and journals. Additionally, Mr. Gene McNary, who was the former National Commissioner of the INS, works as an affiliated lawyer with the firm and offers unmatched insight. And even with this high level of experience, we still pride ourselves on our reasonable legal fees. To learn more about our firm, click HERE.
Q3 If I do not live or work in the Washington-DC/Maryland/Virginia area, can the Visa Law Group still be my attorney?
A3 Yes. We regularly represent corporate and individual clients from across the entire United States and abroad. Because we practice exclusively in the area of immigration, the law allows us to represent clients in all 50 states and overseas. And with the use of e-mail, phone, fax, and FEDEX, we help clients across the US and abroad just as easily as clients down the street.
Q4 What is the importance of an initial free evaluation of my case options?
A4 We feel it is critical that a potential lawyer understand the immigration goals of each potential client and then provide a free written evaluation of your visa options. An initial evaluation will not only allow you to better understand the procedures and timing involved, but also assess the credibility of the lawyer. Our firm is willing to provide this free evaluation to initially understand your needs and determine if we can help you - long before we try to enter into a contract for legal services. We always recommend that you obtain a free initial evaluation before you hire any lawyer.
Q5 Once I obtain my free evaluation and if I like the proposed plan, how do I formally start the process to hire Visa Law Group as my lawyers?
A5 Simple, just send an e-mail telling us you want to start. We will then issue you by e-mail our Legal Services Agreement that describes the terms of the relationship and costs. You then print this document on your printer, sign and mail it to our office with the first payment. That is all!
Q6 Generally, how much are the legal fees, and can I pay in installments?
A6 We know that hiring a lawyer can be stressful. So, we try to make the process as easy as possible. As a general rule, we give every client in writing an upfront price for all of the legal work so you know from the very beginning exactly what your legal fees will be – meaning no surprises. Also, we also use installment payments – and payments track the progress of the case; this allows our clients to pay only for the work they have actually received up to that point in the case.
Q7 How can I pay my legal fees and costs?
A7 Our firm accepts personal checks, company checks, money orders, and cash. We regret that we are not equipped to accept credit card payments. But, many credit card companies do allow their customers to obtain special checks that are debited against their credit card accounts – and we do accept those types of checks.
Q8 Once I submit my signed legal services agreement and first payment, what happens next?
A8 Upon receipt of your materials, we will formally open a file for you. At that time, we will also issue you our Visa Guide that informs you as to the procedures for your type of case. Also, the Visa Guide typically includes a detailed questionnaire, a check-list of the documents that you need to collect and send to our office, as well as sample documents which may be help to you in preparing your case materials.
Q9 Who is responsible for filling out all of the many government forms required for my case?
A9 Our firm will use the information you provided from your response to the Visa Guide to prepare all required government forms. Then, we will present these typed and final forms to you or your sponsor for signatures.
Q10 Is Visa Law Group willing to contact my sponsor to help answer questions about my immigration case?
A10 Yes. An important part of our job is to make sure that all of the interested parties involved in the visa petition understand the program, the procedures and the documents needed to be filed.
Q11 How does my case get submitted to the government?
A11 All business and employment-related visa petitions filed with the INS, State and US Departments of Labor may ONLY be submitted by mail or delivery service (not in person). This is one more reason why we can so easily represent clients from across the entire United States. And because these petitions are so important, we always file cases with the government using courier services, such as FEDEX, that allows for tracking of and confirmation of delivery.
Q12 What is the best way for me to keep in touch with my lawyer at Visa Law Group and to ask questions?
A12 We love e-mail and specifically request that all inquiries be sent in this manner. However, you can still call us by phone at 202-265-7200 if you prefer. If our staff persons happen to be away from their desk when you call, please be sure to leave a message so he/she can call you back later.
Q13 As a client of Visa Law Group, will I receive a copy of the final petitions that are filed on my behalf?
A13 Yes. We always send our clients a complete copy of every petition we file with the INS or other agency, as well as a copy of filing receipt and approval notices. We believe that it is important for our client to know exactly what is going on in their case.
Q14 How long will it take the INS to review my case and to issue a decision?
A14 That is a hard question to answer. The INS is broken into different regional offices to adjudicate visa petitions, and each office works at a different speed based upon volume, staffing and other factors. Also, different petition types within the same INS office are given processing different priorities, and thus have different review times. So, we give our clients periodic updates as to the expected processing time for their type of case given INS office responsible for making the decision.
Q15 I have received a lot of conflicting information regarding the qualifications for different visa programs and INS processing times from my friends and from the Internet. What should I believe?
A15 For business and employment-related immigration matters, there is no such thing as a simple case. Immigration law is extremely technical; the INS rules and their interpretations change on a daily basis. For this very reason, we highly recommend that you hire an experienced immigration lawyer to help explain fact from fiction. While friends may offer advice based upon their personal experiences, the facts of their case may not be exactly the same as yours – and the law may have changed since the time they were involved in the process. As for the Internet, we agree it offers a fantastic amount of information on immigration. However, while some immigration reports are issued by trustworthy lawyers and law firms, other reports are issued by non-licensed businesspersons who cannot be trusted as a reliable source.
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