Employment Immigration Lawyer in Los Angeles

Los Angeles Employment Lawyers You Can Trust

For over 60 years, The Law Offices of Spar & Bernstein have partnered with Los Angeles professionals across all sectors, from healthcare to technology, to navigate the rapidly changing world of employment immigration.  

Every case tells a different story, and our knowledgeable team of attorneys ensures individuals and companies receive the attention they deserve. 

Los Angeles Employment Facts & Immigration Landscape

• Los Angeles is home to more than 244,000 businesses, many of which rely on international talent.
• Immigrants make up over half of the business owners in Los Angeles. They also account for 71% of LA workforce.
• Key industries in Los Angeles include tech, healthcare, entertainment, construction, and logistics

Due to LA’s multicultural economy, employment immigration is key. Having a trusted LA immigration attorney by your side can help you benefit from the new opportunities this vibrant city has to offer.

Understanding Temporary vs. Permanent Employment Visas

Are you a nurse looking to start a job in Koreatown Hospital or a software engineer pursuing a career in Silicon Beach?

Navigating employment immigration starts with the visa you need, whether temporary or permanent.

Temporary (nonimmigrant) visas are intended for individuals who wish to work in the U.S. for a limited period. They are often tied to specific employers or programs.

Permanent (immigrant) visas are commonly referred to as employment-based Green Cards. They give you the right to live and work in the U.S.

Employment-Based Immigrant Visas In Los Angeles

If you plan to remain in the U.S. permanently, our Los Angeles employment immigration lawyers can help you pursue a work-based Green Card in one of the categories below

EB-1: Priority Workers

• Individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics
• Outstanding professors or researchers with international acclaim
• Multinational executives or managers transferred to a U.S. branch

EB-2: Advanced Degree Professionals Or Exceptional Ability

• Jobs requiring an advanced degree
• Individuals with exceptional abilities in science, arts, or business

National Interest Waiver (NIW) is available if your work benefits the U.S.

EB-3: Skilled, Professional, or Unskilled Workers

• Skilled workers with at least 2 years of experience
• Professionals with a bachelor’s degree
• Other workers performing labor for which U.S. employers cannot find candidates

EB-4: Special Immigrants

• Religious workers, broadcasters, and U.S. government employees abroad

EB-5: Investors

• Business owners who invest between $800,000 and $1,050,000 in a U.S. business and create 10+ full-time jobs

Spouses and unmarried children under 21 can often receive derivative Green Cards and come to the United States together with the principal applicant.

Temporary Work Visas As A Short-Term Employment Option in Los Angeles

If you only want to come and work in Los Angeles for a limited period of time, you can do it on a nonimmigrant visa:

• H-1B: Specialty occupation roles in STEM, medicine, finance, and architecture
• H-2A: Agricultural jobs for seasonal workers
• H-2B: Hospitality, landscaping, and other non-agricultural work
• L-1: Intra-company transfers for managers, executives, or specialists
• O-1: Extraordinary ability in arts, science, athletics, or entertainment
• P-1/P-2/P-3: Athletes, artists, and entertainers
• R-1: Religious workers
• I Visa: For journalists and media professionals

Each of these visas has strict eligibility rules, timelines, and documentation requirements. Talk to our LA employment immigration attorneys to see which one will be the best for your situation.

Other U.S. Visas We Can Help With In Los Angeles

Our legal team also handles additional visa types that allow you to work in the United States, such as:

Treaty Trader & Investor Visas

• E-1 Visa: For individuals conducting substantial trade with the U.S.
• E-2 Visa: For people who make a significant investment in a U.S. business

These visas require a qualifying treaty between the U.S. and your country of citizenship.

Student & Trainee Visas

• F-1: Full-time academic students
• M-1: Vocational or technical students
• J-1: Educational and cultural exchange participants
• Q-1: International cultural exchange visitors

Business Visitor Visas

• B-1: Short-term visitors for business-related activities such as attending conferences or negotiating deals

Sponsoring Employees For Work In Los Angeles

If you’re an employer looking to hire a foreign national, you should go through a lengthy and complex process that includes several key steps:

1. Identify the specific job for which you need an employee.
2. If required, obtain Permanent Labor Certification (PERM). The step includes advertising the position and proving there are no able U.S. workers available.
3. Submit Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker or Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker to USCIS, depending on the visa type.
4. Respond to Requests for Evidence (RFEs) from USCIS and wait for their decision.

As an employer, you must comply with Department of Labor (DOL) and USCIS regulations, including:

• A job offer for the categories that require it
• Prevailing wage rules,
• Accurate job classifications
• Detailed recordkeeping

What Sets Spar & Bernstein Apart From Other Los Angeles Law Firms

As a trusted partner for individuals and employers throughout Los Angeles, we provide clear and practical solutions.

• Six decades of immigration law experience
• Compassionate approach
• Deep understanding of Los Angeles’ job market
• Full-service support from document prep to visa interviews and biometrics