Employment-Based Visas

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Employment & Business Immigration

Strategic Immigration Solutions for Oregon Employers & Global Talent.

Whether you are a religious institution bringing in a minister, a tech startup hiring a specialized engineer, or an international investor starting a business in Portland, we build the legal strategy to get your key people on the ground efficiently.

Our Key Areas of Expertise

R-1 Religious Workers

A Specialty of Our Firm. We represent churches, mosques, and religious non-profits in the Pacific Northwest.

• Who qualifies: Ministers and those in a “religious vocation.”
• Our Role: We handle complex site-visit preparations and prove your tax-exempt status to prevent delays.

E-1 & E-2 Treaty Visas

For nationals of countries with a commerce treaty with the U.S. (e.g., Canada, Australia, Japan).

• E-1 Trader: For businesses conducting substantial international trade.
• E-2 Investor: For individuals making a substantial investment in a U.S. business.
• Benefit: Renewable indefinitely as long as the business is active.

H-1B Specialty Occupations

The standard visa for professionals in IT, engineering, finance, and architecture.

• The Challenge: The annual “Cap Lottery” makes this highly competitive.
• Our Approach: We identify cap-exempt employers (like universities) and prepare robust petitions to survive USCIS scrutiny.

TN Visas (USMCA)

Exclusive to citizens of Canada and Mexico.

• Who qualifies: Engineers, accountants, scientists, and systems analysts.
• Speed: Canadians can often apply directly at the border. We prepare “border-ready” packages so your employee isn’t turned away.

L-1 Intracompany Transferees

For transferring managers, executives, or specialized knowledge employees from an overseas office to a U.S. branch.

• L-1A: Executives & Managers.
• New Offices: We assist foreign companies in sending a manager to open their first U.S. office.

O-1 Extraordinary Ability

For individuals at the very top of their field in sciences, arts, education, or business.

• Why choose O-1: No cap, no lottery, and unlimited extensions. An excellent alternative to H-1B for top talent.

Permanent Residence (Green Cards)

Securing a work visa is often just the beginning. We assist employers in retaining top talent permanently through:

• PERM Labor Certification: Proving to the Department of Labor that no qualified U.S. workers are available.
• EB-2 & EB-3: For professionals with advanced degrees or skilled workers.
• EB-4 Religious Workers: Transitioning R-1 holders to permanent residents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much money do I need to invest for an E-2 Investor Visa? Unlike the “Million Dollar” Green Card, the E-2 has no fixed minimum. The law requires a “substantial” investment, which varies by business type. For a consulting firm, $50,000 might be enough. We help prove your investment is sufficient for success. Q: Can I bring my family with me? Yes. Most employment visas (H-1B, L-1, E-2, R-1) allow spouses and children under 21. Spouses of E-2 and L-1 holders automatically get work authorization to work anywhere in the U.S. Q: What qualifies as a “Religious Occupation” for R-1? It is not just for ministers. Choir directors, religious instructors, and missionaries can qualify if the role is traditionally religious. Janitors or clerks generally do not. Q: What if I don’t get selected in the H-1B Lottery? We immediately look for “Cap-Exempt” options (like non-profit research) or alternatives like the TN visa (for Canadians/Mexicans) or O-1 for extraordinary ability.

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