Helping Canadians Temporarily Residing in the United States Obtain Nonimmigrant Visas and Lawful Permanent Residence

B&E Capital Law Group, a division of Vassell Law Group, P.C., is a U.S. immigration law firm based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. We represent Canadian citizens in matters arising exclusively under United States immigration law.

Our founder was born and raised in Canada and has practiced U.S. immigration law with her legal team since 1997. This background provides our firm with a practical understanding of the circumstances Canadian citizens often face when living, working, opening a business, investing, studying, or building a future in the United States.

U.S. Immigration Representation for Canadian Citizens

We primarily assist Canadians who are temporarily residing in the United States and require guidance concerning:

• Nonimmigrant employment and business visa classifications;
• Extensions or changes of nonimmigrant status;
• Maintenance of lawful immigration status;
• Adjustment of status to lawful permanent residence;
• Employment-based immigrant petitions and green cards;
• Marriage-based immigrant petitions and green cards;
• Inadmissibility issues and waiver applications; and
• Representation before U.S. immigration agencies and ports of entry.

Our attorneys guide clients through the U.S. immigration process from the initial eligibility analysis through petition preparation, filing, agency review, and final adjudication.

Nonimmigrant Visa Options for Canadians

Canadian citizens may qualify for several temporary U.S. immigration classifications depending on their profession, employment, investment, business activities, qualifications, or intended purpose in the United States.

Our firm represents Canadians in matters involving:

• TN status for qualifying Canadian professionals;
• E-1 Treaty Trader visas for qualifying trade between Canada and the United States;
• E-2 Treaty Investor visas for Canadians investing in and directing U.S. businesses;
• L-1A visas for executives and managers transferring to or opening a qualifying U.S. office;
• L-1B visas for employees possessing specialized knowledge;
• H-1B visas for qualifying specialty-occupation professionals;
• O-1 visas for individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement;
• J-1 visas for qualifying exchange visitors;
• F-1 student matters and related changes of status;
• Extensions of temporary status; and
• Changes from one nonimmigrant classification to another.

Although Canadian citizens are often visa-exempt for limited visitor travel, authorization to visit the United States does not automatically authorize employment, business operations, professional services, investment activities, or permanent residence.

Canadians Temporarily Residing in the United States

A Canadian citizen who is already present in the United States may later need to extend, change, or adjust immigration status.

We assist Canadians with matters involving:

• Changing from visitor status to another eligible nonimmigrant classification;
• Extending an authorized period of stay;
• Transitioning from student or exchange-visitor status to employment status;
• Changing employers or professional positions;
• Addressing expiring or interrupted status;
• Evaluating eligibility for adjustment of status;
• Responding to requests for evidence or notices of intent to deny; and
• Developing a lawful long-term immigration strategy.

Any application filed after entry must be evaluated carefully. Prior representations at the port of entry, maintenance of status, unauthorized employment, immigrant intent, inadmissibility, and the timing of the filing may affect eligibility.

Employment-Based Green Cards for Canadians

Canadian citizens may qualify for lawful permanent residence through an employment-based immigrant category.

Our firm handles employment-based matters involving:

EB-1: Priority Workers

The EB-1 category may be available to qualifying:

• Individuals of extraordinary ability;
• Outstanding professors and researchers; and
• Multinational executives and managers.

EB-2: Advanced-Degree Professionals and Individuals of Exceptional Ability

The EB-2 category may include:

• Professionals holding advanced degrees;
• Individuals with exceptional ability;
• Employer-sponsored cases requiring labor certification; and
• National Interest Waiver petitions when the applicable requirements are satisfied.

EB-3: Professionals, Skilled Workers, and Other Workers

The EB-3 category may be available to:

• Professionals whose positions require at least a bachelor’s degree;
• Skilled workers whose positions require qualifying training or experience; and
• Certain other workers in eligible permanent positions.

EB-4: Certain Special Immigrants

The EB-4 category is reserved for specific classifications of special immigrants defined under U.S. immigration law. Eligibility depends on the applicant’s particular statutory classification and circumstances.

Where appropriate, our representation may include:

• Immigration strategy and category selection;
• Employer-sponsored immigrant petitions;
• PERM labor-certification matters;
• National Interest Waiver petitions;
• Adjustment-of-status applications;
• Consular-processing coordination;
• Work and travel authorization applications;
• Responses to requests for evidence; and
• Representation through final adjudication.

Marriage-Based Green Cards for Canadians

A Canadian citizen who is married to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident may qualify for permanent residence through a family-based petition.

We represent Canadian spouses in matters involving:

• Form I-130 family petitions;
• Form I-485 adjustment-of-status applications;
• Consular processing;
• Evidence of a bona fide marriage;
• Employment authorization;
• Advance parole;
• Affidavits of support;
• Marriage interviews;
• Conditional permanent residence;
• Removal of conditions; and
• Complicated cases involving prior immigration or criminal history.

Canadian citizens who entered the United States as visitors should obtain individualized legal advice before filing a marriage-based adjustment application. The method and purpose of entry, prior statements to U.S. officials, immigration history, maintenance of status, and any inadmissibility concerns must be reviewed carefully.

Inadmissibility and Waiver Representation

Some Canadians may be found inadmissible to the United States because of:

• Criminal history;
• Fraud or misrepresentation;
• Prior immigration violations;
• Unlawful presence;
• Previous removal or deportation;
• Controlled-substance issues; or
• Other statutory grounds.

Our firm evaluates potential inadmissibility and represents qualifying clients seeking available relief, including appropriate waiver applications under U.S. immigration law.

Why Canadian Clients Retain Our U.S. Immigration Firm

B&E Capital Law Group, a division of Vassell Law Group, P.C., offers:

• U.S. immigration experience dating to 1997;
• A founder who was born and raised in Canada who immigrated to the United States to study; and is now a U.S. Citizen;
• Representation focused exclusively on U.S. immigration and nationality law;
• Experience with temporary and permanent immigration classifications;
• Representation of Canadian professionals, investors, business owners, executives, employees, students, and families;
• Assistance with matters before USCIS, CBP, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Department of Labor; and
• A Washington, D.C.-area legal team serving clients throughout the United States.

We have successfully processed these U.S. immigration matters for over 25 years. To schedule a consultation, you may email us at info@becapitallaw.com or call / text (703)966-0907. B&E Capital – Vassell Law Group, PC | http://www.vasselllaw.com | http://www.becapitallaw.com | Members of the American Immigration Lawyers (AILA).