Navigating the complexities of immigration law can be overwhelming. At BCA Law Firm, our dedicated, experienced team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Don’t face this journey alone – contact us today for a consultation and let us help you work toward your immigration goals.
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Employment Immigration & H-1B Visa Lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia
BCA Law Firm helps employers hire and keep foreign talent, and helps professionals obtain work visas and employment-based green cards. From our office in Norcross, we represent companies and employees across metro Atlanta and nationwide, from startups to established employers.
We handle H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-2 and TN visas, PERM labor certification, EB-1, EB-2 (including national interest waivers) and EB-3 green cards, and adjustment of status. Our founding attorney, Bhavya Chaudhary, is an award-winning immigration attorney, recognized as a 2020 Attorney for Justice by the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission for her pro bono service.
Call 678-292-6111 or book a consultation online.
H-1B Visas for Specialty Occupations
The H-1B visa lets U.S. employers hire foreign professionals in jobs that require at least a bachelor’s degree in a specific field. It is granted for up to three years at a time, usually up to six years in total, with extensions beyond six years possible when a green card process is underway.
- The annual cap and lottery. Most new H-1B petitions are subject to an annual limit of 65,000, plus 20,000 for holders of U.S. master’s degrees or higher. Employers register candidates each March. Starting with the FY2027 season, selection is weighted by wage level, so higher-paid positions have better odds.
- Cap-exempt employers. Universities, affiliated nonprofits and nonprofit or government research organizations can file H-1B petitions at any time of year.
- Changing jobs. H-1B workers can usually start with a new employer as soon as the new petition is filed. If you lose your job, you generally have a grace period of up to 60 days to find a new employer, change status or leave.
Read more about the September 2025 H-1B proclamation.
Other Work Visas: L-1, O-1, E-2 and TN
- L-1 for managers, executives and employees with specialized knowledge transferring from a related company abroad, after at least one year of work there.
- O-1 for people with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics. There is no annual cap or lottery.
- E-2 for investors from treaty countries who make a substantial investment in a U.S. business they develop and direct.
- TN for Canadian and Mexican professionals in occupations listed under the USMCA.
For businesses planning to expand to the U.S., see our business immigration services.
Employment-Based Green Cards
Congress makes about 140,000 employment-based green cards available each year, divided into preference categories:
| Category | Who qualifies | Labor certification (PERM)? |
|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | People with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, and multinational managers and executives | No |
| EB-2 | Professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability | Yes, unless a national interest waiver (NIW) is approved |
| EB-3 | Skilled workers, professionals with bachelor’s degrees, and other workers | Yes |
The typical employer-sponsored process is PERM labor certification, then Form I-140, then either adjustment of status in the U.S. (Form I-485) or an immigrant visa abroad once the worker’s priority date is current. Workers born in countries with long backlogs, such as India and China, can wait many years for a visa number. See PERM processing times, how long adjustment of status takes, and what your green card category code means.
Adjustment of Status for Employment-Based Applicants
If you are in the U.S. in valid status when your priority date becomes current, you can usually apply for your green card without leaving by filing Form I-485. While it is pending, you can apply for a work permit and travel document. If your I-485 has been pending for 180 days or more, you may be able to move to a new job in the same or a similar occupation without starting over. Read about working while your green card application is pending.
For Employers: Hiring and Compliance
- Choosing the right visa or green card strategy for each hire, and planning around the H-1B lottery.
- Labor condition applications, prevailing wage requests and PERM recruitment.
- Form I-9 and H-1B public access file compliance, and preparing for government site visits.
- Handling layoffs, mergers and job changes that affect sponsored employees.
How Much Does an Employment Immigration Lawyer Cost?
Fees depend on the visa or green card category, the number of steps involved and whether there are complications such as a Request for Evidence. Government filing fees are separate and, for most employer petitions, paid by the employer. We explain our fees clearly before you hire us. A consultation is a 30-minute appointment for $175, and online consultations are available.
