Frequently Asked Questions

We offer comprehensive immigration advisory services including work visas (TN, H-1B), family visas (I-130), Green Card, citizenship/naturalization, immigration waivers, U Visa, Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, apostilles, and consular services. We have over 30 years of experience.

The initial consultation is free and with no obligation. During this evaluation, we analyze your case, explain your options, and provide a clear action plan with the costs associated with your specific process.

Yes. We serve clients both in the United States and Mexico. We have offices in El Paso, TX, Washington DC, and Miami. We also offer virtual consultations for clients anywhere in the world.

Timelines vary depending on the type of process. For example, a TN Visa can be processed in 2-4 weeks, while a family petition I-130 can take 12 to 24 months. During your consultation, we'll provide a realistic estimate based on your case.

We are specialized immigration process advisors with over 30 years of experience. We work in collaboration with immigration attorneys when cases require it, ensuring every client receives the best possible representation.

The TN Visa is a work visa created under USMCA (formerly NAFTA) exclusively for Mexican and Canadian citizens. It allows you to work in the U.S. in over 60 professions requiring a university degree, such as engineering, technology, sciences, business, and healthcare.

The TN Visa doesn't require a lottery, processes in 2-4 weeks, costs $160 USD, and can be renewed indefinitely. The H-1B requires an annual lottery, takes months, costs thousands of dollars, and has a 6-year limit. The TN is exclusive to Mexicans and Canadians.

Yes. You need a job offer letter from a U.S. employer specifying the position, the applicable USMCA profession, the duration of employment, and compensation. The position must match one of the 60+ professions listed in the treaty.

Yes, but you need to obtain a new TN Visa with the new employer. Each TN Visa is tied to a specific employer. The change process is relatively fast compared to other work visas.

There are several paths: through a family member who is a citizen or resident (Form I-130), through employment, the diversity visa lottery, as a refugee/asylee, or through special programs. The most common route is through a family petition.

It depends on the family relationship and category. Immediate relatives of citizens (spouses, minor children, parents) typically wait 12 to 24 months. Other preference categories can take 2 to 20+ years depending on the country of origin.

The Green Card must be renewed every 10 years. It's recommended to start the renewal process (Form I-90) at least 6 months before expiration. An expired Green Card doesn't mean you lose your status, but it can cause issues when traveling or working.

If you obtained your Green Card through marriage and have been married for less than 2 years at the time of approval, you receive a conditional residence valid for 2 years. You must file Form I-751 to remove conditions within 90 days before expiration.

Yes. You can lose your permanent residency if you remain outside the U.S. for more than 1 year without a reentry permit, commit certain crimes, abandon your residency, or if it's determined you obtained the card fraudulently.

Main requirements: be at least 18 years old, be a permanent resident for 5 years (3 if spouse of citizen), have been physically present in the U.S. for at least 30 months, have good moral character, pass English and civics exams, and demonstrate attachment to the Constitution.

The USCIS filing fee is $710 USD (Form N-400), which includes biometric services. Fee waivers are available for low-income individuals. Additional costs include photos, document copies, and potentially legal advisory fees.

You get a second chance. If you don't pass the English or civics exam, you can retake only the part you failed within 60 to 90 days. If you don't pass on the second attempt, your application will be denied, but you can reapply.

Yes. The United States allows dual citizenship. When you naturalize as an American citizen, you're not required to renounce your previous citizenship, although your home country's laws may vary. Mexico also allows dual nationality.

An immigration waiver is a formal request for the U.S. government to excuse a ground of inadmissibility preventing you from obtaining a visa or residency. The most common are the I-601A waiver (unlawful presence), I-601 (general inadmissibility), and I-212 (prior deportation).

Generally, you must demonstrate that a qualifying relative (spouse, parent who is a citizen or resident) would suffer "extreme hardship" if your application were denied. Not all cases qualify, which is why a professional evaluation is essential before applying.

The provisional I-601A waiver currently takes between 12 and 36 months to be processed by USCIS. Timelines can vary significantly. While waiting, you must not leave the United States, as the waiver is filed before your consular appointment.

The U Visa is for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and have cooperated with authorities in the investigation or prosecution of the crime. It grants temporary immigration status and can lead to permanent residency after 3 years.

More than 25 types of crimes qualify, including domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, torture, among others. The crime must have occurred in the U.S. or violated U.S. laws.

Currently, there is a significant wait. The annual cap for U Visas is 10,000 per fiscal year and demand exceeds supply. The wait can be 4 to 7 years or more. However, while waiting, you may receive a work permit.

Global Entry is a CBP (Customs and Border Protection) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved travelers arriving in the United States. It automatically includes TSA PreCheck. It costs $100 USD and is valid for 5 years.

TSA PreCheck is an expedited security screening program at U.S. airports. You don't need to remove shoes, belt, laptop, or liquids when going through security. It costs $78 USD and is valid for 5 years.

You need your current BCC (valid or expired no more than 4 years), a valid Mexican passport, a recent photo, and the fee payment. If your card has been expired for more than 4 years or you're a minor, you must complete the full process with an interview.