Nationwide Immigration Assistance at Your Fingertips With Atlas Immigration Foundation

We Help You to Attain Official & Lawful Entry & Residence in the United States

We are a multi-language, multi-service, non-profit organization created to help immigrants achieve their American dreams. Our services include document translation, and we provide multi-language support.

We’re here to help call us at (954) 367-5740. As part of our foundation services, we offer free, confidential evaluation regarding Immigration matters. Schedule a day and time that works best for you to speak with us. All calls are confidential.

Our Immigration Services

Adjustment of Status (I-485)

A person in the United States uses it to apply for lawful permanent resident status. Throughout these instructions, we sometimes refer to form I-485 as an application for adjustment of status or an adjustment application.

Job Placement (EB-3)

EB-3 is Employment-Based Immigration for Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Unskilled Workers.

You may be eligible to be classified as a skilled worker, professional, or other worker, depending on your education, skills, and work experience.

Atlas Immigration Foundation helps with job placement.

U.S. Visas

A U.S. visa allows you to travel to a port of entry, airport, or land border crossing and request permission from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspector to enter the United States.

We provide you with the platform to prepare all forms and file them for you.

Refugees & Asylum

Every year, people come to the United States seeking protection because they have suffered persecution or fear that they will suffer persecution due to race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

You may only file this application if you are physically present in the United States and you are not a U.S. citizen.

Family Petition

Suppose you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR). In that case, you need to establish your relationship with an eligible relative who wishes to return to or remain in the United States and get a permanent resident card (also called a Green Card).

Visa Extension

Suppose you want to extend your stay in the United States. In that case, you must file a request with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on form I-539, an application to extend/change nonimmigrant status, before your authorized stay expires. If you remain in the United States longer than permitted, you may be barred from returning and removed (deported) from the United States.

Understanding Adjustment of Status

Adjustment of status is the process that you can use to apply for lawful permanent resident status (also known as applying for a green card) when you are present in the United States. This means you may get a green card without returning to your home country to complete visa processing.

If you are outside the United States, you must obtain your visa abroad through consular processing.

Steps for Adjustment of Status

  1. Determine if you are eligible to apply for a Green Card
  2. You or someone else must file an immigrant petition for you (if applicable)
  3. Check visa availability (if applicable)
  4. File form I-485
  5. Go to your application support center appointment
  6. Go to your interview (if applicable)
  7. Respond to request for additional evidence (if applicable)
  8. Check your case status
  9. Receive a decision

Employment-Based Immigration

Skilled Workers

Requires a minimum of 2 years of training or experience, not of a temporary or seasonal nature; the skilled worker must meet the educational, training, or experience requirements of the job opportunity. Relevant post-secondary education may be considered as training.

Professionals

Requires at least a U.S. baccalaureate or foreign equivalent degree and is a professional member.

The Other Workers

They are performing unskilled labor requiring less than two years of training, education, or experience, not of a temporary or seasonal nature.

You and Your Family Can Also Live in the USA and Obtain Your Green Card

Job Offer

Workers receive a job offer from employers' sponsors

File Perm & Approval

Application for Labor certification. Department of Labor submits PERM approval

File I-140

Employer files Form I-140, permanent residence for foreign workers

DS-260 or Adjustment of Status

Application for DS-260 or I-485 after I-140 approved

Interview With the U.S. Embassy

Interview at the Embassy of the USA

Green Card

Once a Green Card is approved, you can take advantage of all the benefits of permanent residency

Live and Work in The U.S.

Your family can join you legally as you live and work in the U.S.

Eligibility Criteria

You may be eligible for this immigrant visa preference category if you are a skilled worker, professional, or other worker. While eligibility requirements for the third preference classification are less stringent, you should know that a long backlog exists for visas in the "other workers" category

Skilled Workers

You must demonstrate at least 2 years of job experience or training. You must be performing work for which qualified workers are unavailable in the United States. Labor certification and a permanent, full-time job offer are required

Professional

You must demonstrate that you possess a U.S. baccalaureate degree or foreign degree equivalent and that a baccalaureate degree is the normal requirement for entry into the occupation. You must perform work for which qualified workers are unavailable in the United States. Education and experience may not be substituted for a baccalaureate degree. Labor certification and a permanent, full-time job offer are required

Other Workers / Unskilled

When the petition is filed on your behalf, you must be capable of performing unskilled labor (requiring less than two years of training or experience) that is not of a temporary or seasonal nature for which qualified workers are not available in the United States. Labor certification and a permanent, full-time job offer are required

Eligibility Criteria

You may be eligible for this immigrant visa preference category if you are a skilled worker, professional, or other worker. While eligibility requirements for the third preference classification are less stringent, you should know that a long backlog exists for visas in the “other workers” category.

Eligibility Criteria for Skilled Workers

You must demonstrate at least two years of job experience or training. You must perform work for which qualified workers are unavailable in the United States. Labor certification and a permanent, full-time job offer are required.

Eligibility Criteria for Professional

You must demonstrate that you possess a U.S. baccalaureate degree or foreign degree equivalent and that a baccalaureate degree is the normal requirement for entry into the occupation. You must perform work for which qualified workers are unavailable in the United States. Education and experience may be separate from a baccalaureate degree: labor certification and a permanent, full-time job offer are required.

Eligibility Criteria for Other Workers / Unskilled

You must be capable, when the petition is filed on your behalf, of performing unskilled labor (requiring less than two years of training or experience) that is not of a temporary or seasonal nature for which qualified workers are not available in the United States: labor certification and a permanent, full-time job offer required.

Our Mission Is to Help You Build Your Future In The U.S.

Benefits

  • Freedom to work and live anywhere in the U.S. permanently
  • Ability to sponsor family members; get them a Green Card
  • Ability to apply for U.S. Citizenship
  • Free education for kids
  • Right to obtain social benefits such as free education, research grants, taxation benefits, insurance coverage, retirement benefits, and health benefits
  • Eligibility to own real estate in the United States

I-130, Petition for Alien Relative

Suppose you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR). In that case, you must establish your relationship with an eligible relative who wishes to come to or remain in the United States permanently and get a Permanent Resident Card (also called a Green Card).

Submitting form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative is the first step in helping an eligible relative apply to immigrate to the United States and get a Green Card. The filing or approval of this petition does not give your relative any immigration status or benefit.

We will generally approve your form I-130 if you can establish a relationship with your relative that qualifies them to immigrate to the United States.

Generally, once we approve the petition, your relative may apply to become an LPR (get a Green Card). Suppose your relative is already in the United States, and a visa is available. In that case, they may be eligible for their Green Card by filing form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence, or Adjust Status.

Certain relatives must wait until a visa number is available before they can apply for either a form I-485 (to adjust their status if they are in the United States) or a visa (if they are outside the United States). However, an immigrant visa is always available if your relative qualifies as an immediate relative.

Suppose your relative is already in the United States but is not eligible to get their Green Card by filing form I-485, either because a visa is not immediately available or for another reason, they may apply for an immigrant visa with the U.S. Department of State at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their country.

When completing form I-130, please make sure that you (as the petitioner) select only one option when indicating that the beneficiary intends to apply for adjustment of status inside the United States or will pursue visa processing abroad. If form I-130 is still pending with us and you want to change your selection (to either consular processing abroad or adjust status in the United States), you may request a change from the USCIS Contact Center. If you want to change your selection after we have already approved the form, you may need to file form I-824, Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition.

Understanding the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program

Refugees

Individuals seeking refuge in the United States must receive a referral to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) for consideration as a refugee.

According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the referral criteria priorities currently in use are as follows:

  • Priority 1: Cases identified and referred to the program by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a United States Embassy, or a designated non-governmental organization (NGO)
  • Priority 2: Groups of special humanitarian concern identified by the U.S. refugee program
  • Priority 3: Family reunification cases (spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of persons lawfully admitted to the United States as refugees, asylees, permanent residents (green card holders), or U.S. citizens who previously had refugee or asylum status). See the U.S. Department of State page for information on the current nationalities eligible for Priority 3 processing

Refugees must generally be outside their country of origin, but the USRAP can process some individuals in their home countries if authorized by the President.

If a refugee receives a referral, you will receive assistance filling out your application. Then, an interview will take place abroad with a USCIS officer who will decide whether you are eligible for refugee resettlement.

A specially-trained USCIS officer conducting the interview will determine your eligibility. Refugee status is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Asylum Seeker

People come to the United States seeking protection because they have suffered persecution or fear they will suffer because of race, religion, nationality, social group participation, or political views.

Form I-589, Application for Asylum and Withholding of Removal, is the application to apply for asylum. If you are eligible for asylum, you may be permitted to remain in the U.S. by filing form I-589 within one year of your arrival to the U.S. There is no fee for asylum applicants.

Your spouse and children in the U.S. may be included on your application when you file form I-589 or at any time until a final decision is made on the application. Children must be under 21 and unmarried.

As a nonprofit organization, we can help. Our multi-language team offers a free evaluation to discuss your Immigration matters. All calls are confidential.

Understanding U.S. Student Visa Categories

If you would like to study as a full-time student in the United States, you will generally need a student visa. There are two nonimmigrant visa categories for individuals wishing to study in the United States. These visas are commonly known as the F and M visas.

You may enter in the F-1 or M-1 visa category provided you meet the following criteria:

  • You must be enrolled in an “academic” educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program
  • Your school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement
  • You must be enrolled as a full-time student at the institution
  • You must be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency
  • You must have sufficient funds available for self-support during the entire proposed course of study
  • You must maintain a residence abroad which you have no intention of giving up

F-1 Student Visa

The F-1 Visa (Academic Student) allows you to enter the United States full-time at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution or in a language training program. You must be enrolled in a program or course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate, and the U.S. government must authorize your school to accept international students.

M-1 Student Visa

The M-1 visa (Vocational Student) category includes students in vocational or nonacademic programs other than language training.

Understanding the Diversity of U.S. Visas

The U.S. welcomes visitors with over 180 different types of U.S. Visas. Non-immigrant visas are for people requesting to visit the U.S. temporarily. The reason for your visit to the U.S. will determine what type of Visa is required. An Immigrant Visa is granted for U.S. permanent residence (Green Card).

Most Common Non-Immigrant Visa Types

B-2 Visitor Visa

The B-2 Visitor Visa is a non-immigrant visa for people to enter the U.S. temporarily for pleasure or medical purposes.

People who want to come to the U.S. for vacation, visit friends or relatives, or need medical treatment are a few examples of why individuals would apply for a B-2 Visa to enter the U.S. temporarily.

B-1 Business Visa

The B-1 Business Visitor Visa is a non-immigrant visa for people to enter the U.S. temporarily to conduct business.

People who are required to come to the U.S. to attend certain conventions, conferences, seminars, or work on projects are a few examples of why individuals would apply for a B-1 Visa to enter the U.S. temporarily.

H-1B Work Visa

Ever wondered how to get a U.S. visa? AIF is here to make it simple. We offer:

K-1 Visa

The K-1 Visa, also called the Fiancé Visa, is a non-immigrant visa for a U.S. citizen's fiancés. This is granted for a U.S. Citizen to bring their fiancé(e) to get married in the United States. The petition form I-129F is the application to be filed to obtain a K-1 non-immigrant visa for your fiancé.

A Guide to U.S. Visa Extensions

Suppose you want to extend your stay in the United States. In that case, you must file a request with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Non-immigrant Status, before your authorized stay expires. If you remain in the United States longer than permitted, you may be barred from returning and removed (deported) from the United States. Check the date in the lower right-hand corner of your form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record, to determine the date your authorized stay expires. We recommend that you apply to extend your stay at least 45 days before your authorized stay expires.

You may apply to extend your stay if:

  • You were lawfully admitted into the United States with a non-immigrant visa
  • Your non-immigrant visa status remains valid
  • You have not committed any crimes that make you ineligible for a visa
  • You have not violated the conditions of your admission
  • Your passport is valid and will remain valid for the duration of your stay

You may not apply to extend your stay if you were admitted to the United States in the following categories:

  • Visa waiver program
  • Crew member (D non-immigrant visa)
  • In transit through the United States (C non-immigrant visa)
  • In transit through the United States without a visa (TWOV)
  • Fiancé of a U.S. citizen or dependent of a fiancé (K non-immigrant visa)
  • Informant (and accompanying family) on terrorism or organized crime (S non-immigrant visa)

Contact Us

In need of immigration services? Dial (954) 367-5740 to connect with Atlas Immigration Foundation. Your path to citizenship starts here.

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