5 Tips to Maximize Your Immigration Consultation
You want an experienced attorney representing you in all aspects of your immigration case. Your attorney will file documentation for you, represent you in immigration court hearings, as well as assist you with any other issues related to your Immigration Consultation.
Many immigration lawyers offer initial consultations free of charge and can evaluate your case. This allows you to ask your potential attorney any questions. After meeting with the attorney you can decide whether you want to retain their services. Sometimes, it’s a good idea for you to meet with multiple immigration lawyers before you make a final decision about which attorney is best suited to your case.
Ask prospective attorney questions about his or her experience
Prepare a list of questions for the initial consultation with your attorney regarding immigration. You should ask your lawyer how many years he or she has been handling immigration cases. It is also a good idea to ask your attorney if he has handled immigration cases similar to yours. These could be obtaining the correct visas for employees, securing U.S. citizenship, and other issues.
Ask the lawyer if your case involves an emergency
Prospective attorneys should be aware that your case may involve an emergency. It is often crucial to know if you have been denied an immigration petition or applied for a federal order which effectively removes your status from the United States.
Bring the necessary documents for immigration to your appointment
You should bring all necessary documentation to your initial consultation with immigration lawyers. To illustrate, you will need to bring along copies of any notices or immigration decisions. Copies of documents filed with ICE/USCIS should be brought. You should also bring any documents that have been filed with ICE or USCIS, including copies of your green cards, passports and marriage certificates.
If an immigration court hearing is scheduled, and you have been given notice in writing of it, you should bring a duplicate of the hearing notice with you to show the lawyer. The attorney will be able to confirm his or her attendance at the hearing by bringing a copy of the notice.
Bring copies of any criminal records, if applicable
You should bring with you any documentation that shows the disposition of the case (e.g. citations) or criminal citations you received in the event you are arrested for a specific crime. If you have documentation showing the outcome of the case (the case results), it is a good idea to bring this with you.
The Right US Immigration Lawyer in London
It can be complicated, time-consuming, and confusing to apply for US immigration. Many individuals choose to have a US immigration lawyer help them in this process.
Why would you want to hire an US Immigration Lawyer?
You can also benefit from the services of a US immigration lawyer:
- Reduce costly mistakes. Visa delays or denials can quickly add to the financial burden on applicants.
- You can reduce visa denial risks by ensuring you are eligible for the US immigration visa that you are applying for and that you have all required documents.
- Fill out the forms quickly and learn more about US immigration regulations.
- You can benefit from expert legal assistance if your case is stalled, such as being issued with a Request for Further Evidence and a Notification of Intent To Deny.
5 Tips to Help You Choose the Right Immigration Lawyer in London
A US immigration lawyer can be an invaluable ally. They will provide an honest assessment of your case and help you to get a US visa. The first step is to find the right attorney for you.
1) Avoid falling for fraud.
Unfortunately, many fraudsters in the US are preying on people’s hopes. These individuals call themselves “immigration consultant” or notaries, notarios and paralegals. They are not authorized under US law, to provide US immigration advice. They promise you results, but once you pay them, they vanish without getting your visa. It’s possible for them to claim that it is too good to be true. Only US lawyers or accredited representatives are allowed to offer advice on US law. Learn more about this important topic on the Stop Notario Fraud website, created by AILA and Avoid Scams website, created by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
2) Run an AILA Lawyer search.
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), a professional legal organization, is made up of more than 12,000 lawyers from the USA and other countries. AILA membership, while not required, is an important benchmark for evaluating a lawyer’s commitment to US immigration law practice and to keeping abreast of ever-changing US immigration regulations.
3) Make sure the lawyer does not only practice US immigration law.
Many lawyers only focus on US immigration law in a small portion of their practice. A lawyer who focuses solely on US immigration law may be the best option for you if you want someone to handle US visa issues every day, and to keep you up to date on all of the latest US law and procedures.
4. Read testimonials from clients who have passed it on.
The best way to find out what to expect from a particular lawyer is to talk with former clients. Do you think the lawyer has a large practice that handles many files? Will the lawyer give your case individualized attention? If you have questions about your case and are a client of the law firm, can the attorney answer them or will you speak with a paralegal or will the attorney direct you to the right person? You can find the answers to these questions and many more in testimonials of former clients.
5) Check that the lawyer’s work style matches yours.
There is no such thing “best US Immigration Lawyers in London”. Your best friend may have the best case, but your best lawyer might not be the best for your case. It is important to learn about the work style of each lawyer and determine if it would suit your personal needs. While some firms use online secure technology to connect with clients, others prefer to meet face to face. Some people prefer working remotely with their lawyer because they can access documents from anywhere. This eliminates the need to miss work and allows them to be more flexible. Some people may prefer traditional methods over email or other technologies. Whatever your preference, ensure the lawyer’s work style matches yours.