What does a Naturalization and Immigration Lawyer do?

Naturalization and immigration attorneys help foreigners obtain permission to live and work in another country and pursue various visas. They often help non-residents through the legal process when the foreigner is facing deportation proceedings. Immigration attorneys can also help with temporary work visas, family visas, and student visas. Once the proper temporary documents are procured, a naturalization and immigration lawyer can guide a person through the process to acquire citizenship in the foreign country.

Different countries impose specific rules about immigration and naturalization. In the United States, for instance, foreigners can apply for permanent residency and acquire a green card to enable them to work legally. Other work visas relate to certain industries or professions. A naturalization and immigration attorney can also help the foreign petitioner get a visa for a family member living outside the U.S., allowing the relative to join him or her.

Many countries distribute student visas to encourage study in a foreign country without stringent rules. In the United Kingdom, for example, students must prove acceptance at a school and be able to show they can support themselves and pay for their schooling. Students must devise a plan to leave the country after their studies end. A visa is not required in the U.K. for citizens of some countries. A naturalization and immigration lawyer can help determine if a visa is necessary.

In Mexico, a naturalization and immigration lawyer may intercede on behalf of a foreigner who cannot decide whether to apply for a long-term or short-term immigrant or non-immigrant visa. Separate applications and documentation are also required if someone wants to work in Mexico. After holding a particular resident visa for five years, a foreigner may apply for citizenship.

Most countries allow immigration for investment purposes to keep economies healthy. Generally, an investor is granted a visa to live in the country as long as his or her money is kept in the region. Although investment visas are typically easier to obtain, a naturalization and immigration lawyer works to simplify the process.

Visa approval in many foreign countries is limited to those who have no serious criminal record, and some nations require a character test before granting permission to visit or live there. In Australia, for example, the immigrant and the person sponsoring the immigrant are both checked for good character before a visa is granted or denied. Certain character requirements are tied to the type of visa being requested. A naturalization and immigration lawyer assists people with criminal records as well as those seeking asylum in another country.