Your Immigration Counsel

Work Visa Attorney

At Ankeny Law, we understand that immigration is one of the most consequential legal journeys a person or business can undertake. Whether you are a foreign national pursuing new employment opportunities in the United States or a Seattle-based company looking to bring international talent across borders, having a skilled work visa attorney by your side is not just helpful — it is essential. Seattle’s dynamic, globally connected economy creates a constant demand for expert immigration legal services, and Ankeny Law is here to meet that demand with precision, care, and deep expertise.

Washington State Bar Licensed
Corporate Immigration Specialists
AILA Member Attorney
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Employment Immigration Attorney Services at Ankeny Law

Expertise in U.S. and Canadian Work Visa Applications

Work visas are far from one-size-fits-all. The United States and Canada each maintain their own complex frameworks of employment-based immigration laws, and navigating these systems without experienced legal guidance can lead to costly delays, denials, or missed opportunities. At Ankeny Law, our work visa attorney team’s deep knowledge of both U.S. and Canadian immigration law allows us to identify the right visa pathway for each client’s unique situation.

For clients pursuing opportunities in the United States, the landscape includes a wide range of employment-based visas, such as the H-1B for specialty occupations, the O-1 for individuals with extraordinary ability, the L-1 for intracompany transferees, the TN visa for Canadian and Mexican professionals, and immigrant visas tied to labor certification through the PERM process. For those seeking permanent residency, green card pathways through employment-based preference categories are also a critical part of the conversation.

Foreign workers and their employers must meet specific eligibility requirements, comply with strict filing deadlines, and submit meticulously prepared documentation. Even minor errors can result in a nonimmigrant visa denial or significant processing delays. That is why working with a knowledgeable work visa attorney from the very beginning of the process is so important.

Our firm also handles Canadian work permit applications, including LMIA-supported work permits and LMIA-exempt categories, giving Seattle-area clients a true cross-border advantage.

Personalized Legal Solutions for Individuals and Businesses

Every immigration case is different. At Ankeny Law, we take a highly personalized approach to every matter — whether we are representing a software engineer applying for an H-1B visa, a researcher with exceptional ability seeking an EB-1 classification, or a multinational corporation managing a workforce of foreign nationals across two countries.

For individuals, our employment immigration attorney team provides thorough eligibility assessments, strategic counsel on the best visa options, and hands-on assistance preparing all required documentation. We take the time to understand each client’s career goals, family situation, and timeline so that we can develop an immigration strategy aligned with their long-term objectives.

For businesses, we offer comprehensive employer-side immigration services, including drafting and filing petitions, advising on I-9 compliance, managing employment-based visa programs, and planning for future workforce needs. Whether you are a startup hiring your first international employee or an established enterprise managing ongoing immigration matters, Ankeny Law provides the legal counsel and support your business needs to stay compliant and competitive.

Cross-Border Immigration Expertise in Seattle

Seattle occupies a uniquely strategic position in the world of immigration law. Located just 140 miles from the Canadian border, the city is home to countless businesses and professionals who operate fluidly between the United States and Canada. This cross-border reality creates immigration needs that many law firms are simply not equipped to handle — but it is precisely where Ankeny Law excels.

As a former U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer, lead attorney Jason Ankeny has direct experience with how cross-border employment and visa matters are evaluated at the border. That enforcement-side perspective gives clients a meaningful advantage when our employment immigration attorney team builds their case — we understand what adjudicators and border officers look for, and we prepare accordingly.

Our cross-border immigration practice covers U.S. and Canadian work permits, intracompany transferee visas such as the L-1, TN visas for professionals moving between countries under the USMCA trade agreement, and guidance on green cards for those looking to transition from temporary work status to permanent residency. For businesses expanding operations across the border, we provide strategic counsel on structuring cross-border transfers and ensuring that employees and executives can move seamlessly between offices.

Navigating Complex Employment Immigration Laws with Confidence

Immigration law is one of the most frequently changing areas of legal practice. Policy shifts, regulatory updates, new agency guidance, and court decisions can all affect how a work visa case should be approached. At Ankeny Law, staying current with the ever-evolving landscape of U.S. and Canadian immigration law is a core commitment — one that directly benefits every client we serve.

Our work visa attorney team’s approach to complex employment immigration cases is both proactive and thorough. We anticipate potential challenges before they arise, prepare robust legal arguments to support visa petitions, and respond swiftly to any requests for additional evidence or government inquiries. Whether a case involves employment-based immigration for an individual with a nuanced employment history or a company facing scrutiny over a visa petition, our employment immigration attorney approaches every matter with the attention to detail it deserves.

We also counsel clients on managing risk across their entire immigration program, helping both individuals and organizations understand their obligations and take steps to avoid compliance issues that could jeopardize current or future visa status.

The Work Visa Application Process: Step-by-Step Guidance

Understanding the work visa application process can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time applicants or businesses new to sponsoring foreign employees. At Ankeny Law, we guide every client through each stage with clarity and confidence.

The process begins with a detailed consultation where we learn about the client’s background, goals, and immigration history. Our work visa attorney assesses eligibility across all relevant visa categories and recommends the most strategic pathway forward.

Once a visa category is identified, we develop a tailored legal strategy and begin preparing all required documentation. This includes drafting petition letters, gathering supporting evidence, coordinating with employers, and ensuring all materials meet government standards.

We handle the submission of all filings to the appropriate government agencies — whether USCIS, the U.S. Department of Labor, or Canadian immigration authorities — and manage all subsequent communication, including responding to Requests for Evidence and tracking case status.

After approval, we assist with visa stamp applications, consular processing, and port-of-entry preparation. We also provide ongoing support for extensions, amendments, and future immigration planning. Our goal is to be a long-term legal partner, not just a one-time service provider.

Contact Ankeny Law Today

If you are ready to take the next step in your immigration journey, Ankeny Law is here to help. Our work visa attorney and employment immigration attorney team serves individuals and businesses throughout the Seattle area and beyond, providing the knowledgeable, client-focused legal representation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and let Ankeny Law become your trusted partner in navigating U.S. and Canadian immigration law.

Seattle Office 506 2nd Ave, Suite 1400 | Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 686-1589

Vancouver  Office  500- 666 Burrard Street | Vancouver, BC V6C 3P6
604-314-1848

Frequently Asked Questions

Foreign nationals seeking to work permanently in the United States may pursue employment-based immigrant visas across five preference categories. These range from EB-1 for priority workers with extraordinary ability or outstanding professors to EB-5 for immigrant investors. Each category has distinct eligibility requirements, and an experienced work visa attorney can help identify the most appropriate pathway based on qualifications, employer sponsorship, and priority dates.

Employment-based visas include both nonimmigrant work visas — such as the H-1B, L-1, TN, and O-1 — which authorize temporary work in the United States, and employment-based immigrant visas, which lead to lawful permanent residence. The key distinction is intent and duration: nonimmigrant employment visas are temporary, while employment-based immigrant visas result in a green card and permanent residency.

Employment-based immigration requires the employer to file a petition on behalf of the foreign national, demonstrate that the position meets the applicable visa category requirements, and in many cases complete the PERM labor certification process before filing an immigrant visa petition. Employers also take on ongoing compliance obligations, including I-9 verification and adherence to the terms of the approved petition throughout the employee’s authorized period of work.

Employment-based immigrant visas are the formal immigrant visa categories that allow foreign nationals to become lawful permanent residents of the United States. Once an employment-based immigrant visa becomes available and is approved, the applicant either adjusts status in the United States or undergoes consular processing abroad to receive their green card. Green cards issued through employment-based categories are tied to specific preference categories and priority dates set by the Department of State.

The H-1B is the most common nonimmigrant employment visa for specialty occupation workers, requiring at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a specific professional field. It is subject to an annual cap and lottery selection, though cap-exempt employers — such as universities and nonprofit research organizations — are not subject to these limits. A work visa attorney can assess H-1B eligibility, prepare the petition, and advise on alternatives if the H-1B is unavailable due to the lottery.

Employment-based immigration refers to the legal pathways through which foreign nationals obtain work authorization or permanent residence in the United States through a job offer or qualifying professional achievement. It covers nonimmigrant employment visas such as H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, and E-2, as well as employment-based immigrant visas across the EB-1 through EB-5 preference categories. An employment immigration attorney at Ankeny Law can assess which category best fits a client’s qualifications and goals.

Immigration lawyers guide both employers and foreign nationals through every stage of the employment-based immigrant visa process — from determining the correct preference category and completing labor certification to filing the immigrant petition, monitoring priority dates, and managing adjustment of status or consular processing. Having experienced immigration lawyers handle the process reduces the risk of errors, delays, and requests for evidence that can significantly slow down green card approvals.

Yes. Ankeny Law offers a free consultation for individuals and businesses seeking guidance on work visa options, employment-based immigration pathways, and cross-border immigration matters. During the free consultation, a work visa attorney will review your situation, identify the most viable visa categories, and outline a recommended legal strategy — giving you the clarity you need to move forward with confidence.

Yes. Many foreign nationals who enter the United States on nonimmigrant employment visas — such as H-1B or L-1 holders — later transition to green cards through employment-based immigrant visa categories. This process requires employer sponsorship in most cases and involves filing an immigrant petition, waiting for a visa number to become available based on priority date and country of birth, and then completing adjustment of status or consular processing.

The H-1B is often the first step in a long-term employment-based immigration strategy for many foreign nationals. Because H-1B status can be extended beyond six years when a green card application is pending and meets certain milestones, it serves as a bridge visa while the employment-based immigrant visa process moves forward. An employment immigration attorney at Ankeny Law can help structure a long-term plan that coordinates H-1B renewals with green card filing timelines to maintain continuous work authorization.