Brooklyn Employment & Investment Immigration Attorneys

Employment-based green cards are issued across five preference categories:

• EB-1: Priority Workers. If you are recognized as having “extraordinary ability” in an artist, athletic, scientific, educational, or business-oriented field, you can self-petition for a green card under this category. This means you do not need a job offer or sponsoring employer. You can also apply under this category as an “outstanding” professor or researcher or a multinational executive or manager. Professors, researchers, executives, and managers do need job offers.
• EB-2: Workers with Advanced Degrees. If you have “exceptional ability” in an athletic, artistic, scientific, educational, or business-oriented field, you can apply for a visa under this category, but you will need a job offer. It is easier to prove “exceptional ability” versus “extraordinary ability.” If you have an advanced degree, such as a master’s degree, you qualify under this category. Immigrants who qualify for National Interest Waivers will also apply through this category.

Understanding which employment-based green card category is right for you is a crucial step in your immigration journey. For both the EB-1 and EB-2 categories, the documentation requirements are rigorous. You will need to demonstrate through evidence—such as awards, publications, or significant contributions to your field—that you qualify for the extraordinary or exceptional ability criteria, or that your work is in the national interest. 

Thoroughly preparing this documentation and anticipating the specific requirements of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can make a substantial difference in how quickly and efficiently your application proceeds. Our team can help you evaluate your credentials within the context of Brooklyn’s diverse workforce and ensure your case is presented as strongly as possible.

For applicants seeking employment in New York City, including Brooklyn, additional considerations can come into play. Local labor dynamics and employer sponsorship practices may affect how quickly a position can be filled and a petition can be processed. Some employers in high-demand fields may be accustomed to navigating the labor certification process, while others may need guidance on compliance with prevailing wage requirements and recruitment standards. 

We frequently assist both Brooklyn-based professionals and companies in preparing the necessary paperwork and understanding what to expect at each stage. By leveraging our local insight and years of experience, we can help you avoid common pitfalls and delays, especially for in-demand sectors such as technology, healthcare, and finance in the greater Brooklyn area.

Key Steps & Common Challenges for Work Visas in Brooklyn

If you are applying for a work visa or seeking an EB1, EB2, or EB3 green card with the help of an EB1 visa attorney in Brooklyn, understanding the process and common hurdles is key to your success. Each visa type comes with unique steps and documentation requirements, making strong legal guidance vital. From securing a labor certification (PERM), when required, to gathering reliable education and professional credentials, thoroughness is essential to avoid delays.

• Document Preparation. Assemble a portfolio with diplomas, transcripts, employment verification, professional awards, and evidence of your contributions to the field. EB1, EB2, and EB3 visa attorney Brooklyn services help ensure every detail meets USCIS scrutiny.
• Employer Collaboration. Aside from self-petitioning options for EB-1A, most employment-based green cards require direct sponsorship and involvement from a U.S. employer. Our work visa attorneys in Brooklyn guide both companies and candidates through compliance with labor market tests and wage determinations for New York roles.
• Manage Processing Times. High volume at the USCIS New York Field Office and other local agencies can result in variable timelines. Planning ahead and working with an EB3 visa attorney Brooklyn or EB2 visa attorney Brooklyn helps minimize surprises and manage expectations throughout your case.
• Address and Anticipate Issues. Documentation gaps, job title mismatches, or slow responses from employers can interrupt your work visa or EB green card case. Our team, with years of local experience as Brooklyn work visa lawyers, assists in recognizing and solving these issues before they impact your petition.

At Usher Law Group, clear, proactive communication with clients and employers ensures that your documentation aligns with Brooklyn and broader New York City trends and application standards. Whether you are preparing for an interview, handling a USCIS Request for Evidence (RFE), or navigating a new requirement, our Brooklyn-based work visa and EB visa attorneys keep you informed every step of the way for the strongest possible application.

• EB-3: Professional Workers, Skilled Workers, and Unskilled Workers. If you have a bachelor’s degree (or a foreign equivalent), you will use this category. Skilled workers with two years of relevant training or experience and unskilled workers with less than two years of training or experience can also apply through this category.
• EB-4: Special Immigrants. Religious workers, Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJ), certain broadcasters, and other special cases can utilize this category.
• EB-5: The Immigrant Investor Program. You can obtain a green card if you generate at least ten jobs through a substantial investment in a U.S.-based business. The current investment minimums may change, but as of 2022, you should be prepared to put at least $1,050,000 at risk. You may only need to invest $800,000 if you select a business in a rural or high-unemployment area approved by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You will initially receive a conditional green card that expires after two years, and you will only be able to remove conditions if you can demonstrate your investment created the necessary ten jobs. If you choose to invest in a business that was losing money prior to your involvement, you may only need to save ten jobs.

Pursuing an EB-3 green card is often a practical option for many individuals hoping to live and work in Brooklyn, NY. The EB-3 category is comparatively flexible, providing a pathway for foreign nationals in a wide variety of occupations—from professional and skilled roles to certain entry-level jobs. It is important, however, that both you and your sponsoring employer understand the labor certification process, known as PERM. 

PERM requires that your employer undertake a detailed recruitment process to prove that there are no qualified U.S. workers available for the job. If you are considering the EB-3 route, our attorneys can assist you and local Brooklyn employers in preparing successful applications and meeting Department of Labor standards.

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program appeals to investors across the globe who are looking for a path to permanent residency through job creation and significant capital investment. Brooklyn, as a dynamic business hub, offers diverse opportunities for EB-5 participants to invest in industries such as real estate development, tech startups, or revitalization projects in designated Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs). 

It is critical to carefully assess potential investments for USCIS program compliance and ensure all funds used are lawfully sourced. We help you conduct due diligence, structure your investment to maximize the chance of long-term success, and maintain compliance with both USCIS and any New York-specific business regulations. Our Brooklyn-based team understands the local economic landscape and is ready to guide international investors through the detailed requirements of EB-5 and related business immigration matters.

Investor Visa Attorney in Brooklyn, NY: EB-5 & E-2 Options

Investor visas offer valuable opportunities for foreign nationals seeking to create or grow a commercial presence in Brooklyn’s thriving economy. The EB-5 program, which leads to a green card, requires significant capital investment and the creation of at least ten full-time jobs. Numerous Brooklyn neighborhoods, designated as Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs), may qualify applicants for reduced investment thresholds and offer high growth potential for businesses. Successful EB-5 applicants typically work with an experienced EB5 visa attorney in Brooklyn to conduct due diligence, structure investments appropriately, and document lawful funds sourcing from abroad.

The E-2 visa is a valuable option for nationals from certain treaty countries seeking to develop and direct a business in Brooklyn. While the E-2 does not lead directly to permanent residency, it allows business owners and investors to live and work in the United States while actively managing their company as long as the enterprise remains viable. 

Our investor visa attorneys in Brooklyn assist in drafting tailored business plans, complying with state and city licensing or zoning laws, and supporting clients’ long-term business and immigration goals. We clarify the benefits, renewal options, and pathways that may allow E-2 holders to later pursue an EB-5 or other permanent residency route.