To choose the right work, investment or trade visa in Orlando, it is wise to have an attorney compare the H-1B, L-1, O-1, EB-5, E-1 and E-2 categories according to your profile. This article suggests evaluating concrete facts when choosing an attorney, such as who prepares the documents, whether the attorney explains risks honestly and whether they serve you in Spanish, and not focusing on labels. Vasquez Law Firm serves from its Orlando office and remotely throughout Florida.
- Covers the H-1B, L-1, O-1, EB-5, E-1 and E-2 visas for professionals, companies and investors.
- Recommends evaluating concrete facts instead of labels when choosing an attorney.
- A good attorney explains why one category fits and why others do not.
- The Florida Bar's rules limit how a law firm may present itself.
If you live in Orlando and need a work, investment or trade visa, an immigration attorney can help you choose the right category and prepare a solid case from the start. At Vasquez Law Firm we serve professionals, companies and investors from our office at 1111 E Amelia Street, in Orlando, and by phone or video call throughout Florida. We speak Spanish and English.
Here we explain the options we are asked about most: H-1B, L-1, O-1, EB-5, E-1 and E-2.
How to choose an immigration attorney in Orlando
Many people type into Google "best immigration lawyer in Orlando Florida" or "best immigration lawyers in Orlando" when they start looking for help. It is a natural search, but the Florida Bar's rules do not allow a law firm to present itself with those labels. That is why we suggest that, instead of looking for labels, you evaluate concrete facts:
- Does the attorney explain clearly which category fits you and why others do not?
- Who will prepare your documents and who will answer you when you have questions?
- Does the attorney speak honestly about the risks, without promising results?
- Can the attorney serve you in Spanish, in person or by video?
People searching for "the best immigration lawyers in Orlando, Florida" usually want the same thing: someone who answers, who knows the process and who tells them the truth about their case. You can learn about all of our services on the immigration services page.
H-1B visa for professionals
The H-1B allows a U.S. employer to hire a foreign worker in a professional occupation that normally requires at least a bachelor's degree or its equivalent in a related field. Before filing the petition, the employer obtains a Labor Condition Application (LCA) from the Department of Labor and commits to paying the required wage.
Most private employers are subject to an annual cap and a registration and selection process. Some employers, such as certain universities and nonprofit research organizations, are exempt from that cap. An H-1B immigration attorney in Orlando reviews whether the position qualifies, whether the worker's degree corresponds to the job and how to respond to a request for evidence.
If you are the worker, an H-1B visa attorney in Orlando can also explain what happens if you change employers, lose your job or your family needs H-4 status. Companies looking for an attorney for H-1B visas in Orlando normally need help with several workers at once and with the renewal calendar.
L-1 visa for intracompany transfers
The L-1 serves international companies that transfer employees to a related office in the United States. In general, the employee must have worked continuously for at least one year, within the previous three years, for the related company abroad. The L-1A is for managers and executives; the L-1B, for employees with specialized knowledge of the company's products, processes or procedures.
There are additional rules when the company is going to open a new office in the United States. An attorney for L-1 visas in Orlando reviews the relationship between the companies, the organizational chart and the business plan before filing the petition.
O-1 visa for extraordinary ability
The O-1 is for people with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics, or with extraordinary achievement in motion pictures and television. It is shown with recognized awards or with several evidence criteria, such as published material about the person, selective memberships, high salaries or critical roles in distinguished organizations. An advisory opinion from a peer group or a labor organization is also normally needed.
An O-1 visa attorney in Orlando helps you organize the evidence and explain your career in a way the officer can evaluate. The O-1 requires an employer or an agent in the United States to file the petition.
EB-5: permanent residency through investment
The EB-5 program allows you to obtain permanent residency by investing in a new commercial enterprise in the United States that creates at least ten full-time jobs for qualified workers. The investment can be made directly or through a regional center. The minimum amounts are set by law and have changed over time, so they must be confirmed at the time of investing.
An EB-5 investment visa attorney in Orlando reviews the lawful source of funds, which is one of the most closely examined points, and the project documents. If you are looking for an EB-5 visa lawyer in Orlando, ask how the money trail will be documented from its source to the investment. An attorney for EB-5 visas in Orlando also explains conditional residency and the later process to remove the conditions.
E-1 and E-2 visas for treaty traders and investors from treaty countries
These visas are for citizens of countries that have a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States. Not all Latin American countries have one, and the list must be verified in each case.
- E-1, treaty trader: requires substantial and continuous trade in goods or services, principally between the United States and the treaty country.
- E-2, treaty investor: requires a substantial investment at risk in a real business in the United States that the investor will develop and direct.
An attorney for E-1 and E-2 visas in Orlando helps decide which one fits your business. For example, an importing company with a lot of trade with its country may be a candidate for the E-1, while someone who buys a restaurant or a franchise in Central Florida usually considers the E-2. An immigration attorney in Orlando for the E-2 visa reviews the business plan, the amount invested and the source of the funds. More information on our employment-based immigration page.
How we work with you
Our only office is in Orlando. You can meet with us there, or by phone or secure video call from anywhere in Florida or abroad. At the first consultation we review your passport, prior visas, degrees, job offer or business plan and any immigration document you already have. To make an appointment, contact us here.
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This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different; speak with an immigration attorney about your situation.
