Ukraine Immigration Attorneys Serving Chicago

Lawyers Helping Ukrainian Immigrants in the Chicago Area Address Issues Related to Visas, Green Cards, and More

In recent years, large numbers of Ukrainians have sought to build new lives in the United States. Some may plan to leave the country because of their dream to be a U.S. Citizen, while others may try to reunite with loved ones or pursue career opportunities. The U.S. immigration system involves complex rules and strict deadlines, and a single error can lead to costly delays, the denial of a visa or Green Card, or deportation. For Ukrainians who are addressing immigration issues, an attorney with experience in this field can provide invaluable legal help.

At Khan Nayyar & Associates, LLC, our lawyers understand the challenges that Ukrainian immigrants and their families face. We work closely with each client to identify the best legal pathways for immigration while ensuring that they meet all requirements under U.S. law. We provide compassionate representation throughout every step of the immigration process, from the initial visa petition to a Green Card application and beyond.

Family-Based Immigration for Ukrainian Nationals

Family relationships often serve as the basis for immigration to the United States. U.S. citizens and Green Card holders can take steps to sponsor certain family members for visas. Ukrainian nationals may qualify for different categories of visas, including:

Immediate Relative Visas

Close family members of U.S. citizens are given priority in the immigration system. Immediate Relative (IR) visas do not have any numerical caps, and there is no waiting list once a petition is approved. This option is one of the fastest ways for a person to immigrate to the United States through family sponsorship. IR visas are available to:

• Spouses: A Ukrainian national who has gotten married to a U.S. citizen may qualify for a visa.
• Children: Unmarried minor children of Ukrainians who have become U.S. citizens may be eligible for visas.
• Parents: If a Ukrainian national gains U.S. citizenship, and they are at least 21 years old, they can sponsor their parents for a visa.

Family Preference Visas

Family members of U.S. citizens who do not qualify for IR visas may be eligible for Family Preference visas. Green Card holders may also sponsor family members for Family Preference visas. There are annual limits on the number of Family Preference visas that may be issued, so people who apply may experience extended wait times. The categories of Family Preference visas include:

• First Preference (F1): U.S. citizens can sponsor children who are over the age of 21 and are unmarried.
• Second Preference (F2A/F2B): Green Card holders can sponsor their immediate relatives, including spouses, minor children, and unmarried adult children.
• Third Preference (F3): U.S. citizens can sponsor children who are married.
• Fourth Preference (F4): U.S. citizens can sponsor their brothers and sisters.

Fiancé Visas

A Ukrainian national who is engaged to a U.S. citizen may be eligible for a K-1 fiancé visa. This visa will allow the foreign national to enter the United States so that they can get married to the U.S. citizen. The marriage must take place within 90 days of the immigrant's arrival. After the marriage takes place, the Ukrainian national may apply to adjust their immigration status and become a lawful permanent resident on a conditional basis. After two years, they will need to apply to remove the conditions on permanent residence, and they can receive a permanent Green Card.

Employment-Based Immigration Options

For Ukrainians who plan to immigrate to the United States to work, several pathways may be available depending on their qualifications and the position that an employer is seeking to fill. In most cases, employers will need to provide sponsorship for an employee, and they will need to show that they are hiring a foreign employee because no workers are available in the U.S. to fill the position. Employment-based immigration cases generally fall into one of two categories:

Temporary Work Visas

Nonimmigrant work visas allow foreign nationals to work in the U.S. for a specific period of time. Options that may be available to Ukrainian nationals include:

• H-1B Visas: People who work in certain types of specialty occupations may qualify for these visas. Eligibility requirements generally include a bachelor's degree or an and a high level of skill in a field such as engineering, information technology, finance, or healthcare.
• H-2A and H-2B Visas: These visas are meant to allow certain types of workers to enter and work in the U.S. on a temporary, seasonal basis. H-2A visas may be available for agricultural workers, while H-2B visas are for people in non-agricultural fields.

EB Visas for Permanent Residence

For Ukrainian nationals who plan to resettle in the United States permanently, employer-sponsored immigrant visas may allow them to receive a Green Card. The categories of these visas include:

• EB-1: Immigrants with extraordinary abilities that set them apart from most other people in their fields may qualify for these visas.
• EB-2: Immigrants may qualify for these visas if they have achieved advanced degrees or have shown that they have exceptional abilities in their fields. Some immigrants may qualify for a National Interest Waiver if they would provide significant benefits to the United States through their employment.
• EB-3: Immigrants may be eligible for these visas if they meet the requirements to be considered professionals, skilled workers, or unskilled workers.

Applying for a Green Card

When a person obtains a Green Card, they will be recognized as a lawful permanent resident of the United States, which will provide them with a number of benefits. Our team helps Ukrainian nationals pursue this goal through two primary routes:

Adjustment of Status

A person who is already present in the United States can take steps to apply for permanent residence without leaving the country. A person must have an approved immigrant petition and an available visa number. Our lawyers work with immigrants to complete the adjustment of status process, including helping to prepare and submit the proper forms and documents, preparing for interviews with immigration officials, and responding to any requests for additional evidence.

Consular Processing

For Ukrainian nationals who are not eligible for adjustment of status or have not yet come to the United States, consular processing will allow them to apply for an immigrant visa through a U.S. consulate or embassy. Our attorneys can help clients complete each phase of consular processing, making sure the documentation they submit is thorough and helping prepare for interviews with consular officers.

Waivers of Inadmissibility

There are some reasons that a person may be deemed inadmissible to the United States. This may result in deportation for a person who is already in the U.S., or it may prevent them from obtaining a visa or being allowed to enter the country. Grounds for inadmissibility may include immigration violations that occurred in the past, remaining in the United States without authorization, a criminal history, or health-related issues. In some situations, immigrants may qualify for waivers of inadmissibility that will allow their immigration cases to move forward.

Our lawyers can provide guidance on the types of waivers that may be available, and we can help immigrants provide the evidence needed to show that they qualify. In many cases, waivers will address situations where a person's deportation or their denial of entry to the U.S. would cause extreme hardship to a family member who is a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder. We will carefully review each client's background, determine the types of waivers that may be available, and present a strong case to immigration officials to help a family avoid hardship.

Contact Our Chicago Immigration Lawyers for Ukrainians

The immigration laws in the United States can be difficult to understand, and the procedures followed when applying for visas or Green Cards can be complex and confusing. At Khan Nayyar & Associates, LLC, we provide compassionate legal representation for Ukrainian nationals and their families, helping them take the right steps to obtain or maintain a legal status in the U.S. Contact our Ukraine immigration attorneys at 630-529-9377 to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward protecting your future in the United States.