An immigration lawyer is a lawyer who specializes in immigration issues. These specialist attorneys assist people when they want to immigrate alone or with their families, and they also handle issues like moving businesses internationally, obtaining visas for workers and students, and asylum applications. Consulting an immigration lawyer before an international relocation is strongly recommended, as immigration law can be very complex, and immigration lawyers are skilled at navigating the complex bureaucracy involved with immigration.
Ideally, an immigration lawyer likes to see clients before they have immigrated, to discuss the move or trip and ways in which it can be made as efficient and pleasant as possible. The lawyer can assist the client with applying for an appropriate residency permit, such as a work permit, a student visa, or a temporary residency permit. In the case of someone who wants to pursue citizenship, the immigration lawyer can discuss the requirements for citizenship and the steps which will need to be taken.
Immigration lawyers also assist their clients during crises and other difficulties. For example, a student who is having trouble renewing his or her student visa might ask an immigration lawyer for assistance. People who have been brought up on immigration charges such as overstaying a visa or immigrating illegally may also use the services of an immigration lawyer to resolve their situations.
Refugee and asylum applications are also part of the work of an immigration lawyer. People who want to apply for asylum may choose to do so with the assistance of immigration lawyers who work with human rights organizations, utilizing the experience of the lawyer to press their case. It is also possible to contact an immigration lawyer about an asylum application once someone has already reached the country in which he or she wishes to seek asylum.
Some businesses utilize immigration lawyers along with business lawyers to move their businesses successfully between nations. Many businesses which offer employment to people from other countries also provide an immigration lawyer to handle the work permits and other immigration issues, as an incentive to make the international move.
Many nations have very detailed and sometimes confusing immigration codes, and the laws are adjusted all the time to cope with a variety of issues. The language of immigration can be intimidatingly confusing, especially for people who are not familiar with the official language of the country they are trying to immigrate to. Immigration lawyers help people avoid common pitfalls while smoothing the way to a successful visit or relocation to a different country.
