info@kasturilaw.com

Call Us Today

630-392-8101 | 630-392-8101
29 South Webster Street, Suite 370 Naperville,
IL 60540

Call Us Today

630-392-8101 | 630-392-8101
info@kasturilaw.com

At Kasturi Law, LLC, our immigration and nationality law attorney and law firm founder, Shobhana Kasturi, has over 27 years of legal experience and a decade of experience representing individuals and families in Illinois and nationwide.

Her experience and dedication to helping Chicago immigrants legally obtain work visas and employment-based green cards stem from her journey as a first-generation immigrant and her desire to remove known obstacles our Cook County immigration clients face throughout the process.

Green Card

How to Obtain a Work Visa in Chicago, Illinois

Several types of work visas are available for foreign nationals who wish to work in Chicago and throughout the United States.

Each work visa has its own set of requirements and procedures, including:

H-1B Visa

L-1 Visa

  • Eligibility: The applicant must be employed by a qualifying organization abroad for at least one continuous year within the last three years and seek to enter the U.S. to work in an executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge capacity.
  • Procedure: The Employer files Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, with USCIS. Upon approval, the applicant applies for the L-1 visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy if outside the U.S. or changes status if already in the U.S.

O-1 Visa

  • Eligibility: The applicant must demonstrate extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics or extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry.
  • Procedure: The employer or agent files Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker with USCIS, including evidence of extraordinary ability or achievement. Upon approval, the applicant applies for the O-1 visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy if outside the U.S. or changes status if already in the U.S.

How to Obtain an Employment-Based Green Card in Chicago, Illinois

There are five preference categories (EB-1 to EB-5) for employment-based green cards. Each category has different requirements and procedures.

They include:

EB-1 Visa (Priority Workers)

EB-2 Visa (Professionals with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability)

EB-3 Visa (Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers)

EB-4 Visa (Special Immigrants)

EB-5 Visa (Investors)

  • Eligibility: Investors who invest $1 million (or $500,000 in targeted employment areas) in a new commercial enterprise that creates at least ten full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
  • Procedure: The applicant files Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor, with USCIS. Upon approval, the applicant files Form I-485 or applies for an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy.

Obtaining a work visa or employment-based green card in Chicago involves meeting specific eligibility criteria and following detailed procedures. Consulting with our experienced immigration attorney can help navigate these complex processes and increase the chances of a successful outcome.

Contact our Immigration Law Firm Today to Schedule a Consultation that Suits your Needs.

Whether you prefer an in-person meeting, a phone call, or a Zoom session, we are here to accommodate you. You can even schedule a consultation directly using our online calendar, choosing between 30-minute or 60-minute timeframes. We value your time and want to ensure that your immigration questions receive the attention they deserve, helping you move forward confidently.