Applying for a U.S. Work Permit

Are you a foreign national who has been residing in the United States? If so, maybe you are thinking about starting a career in the U.S. But, before you start looking for a job, you must make sure you can do so legally. Not everyone living in the U.S. can legally work in the U.S.

One document that will enable you to legally work in the United States is a work permit. Let’s take a look at what a work permit is and how you can apply for one.

What is a work permit?

A work permit, also called an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), is a document issued to foreign nationals so that they can legally work in the United States. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is responsible for issuing work permits. USCIS will issue them only to a limited group of qualifying immigrants. Most of these work permits are valid for 1 to 2 years. It’s important to note that a work permit is not the same as a work visa.

Do you really need a work permit to have a job in the U.S.?

Yes, you do! If a company hires you and you do not have the legal right to work in the U.S., that employer could get fined or imprisoned. And, if you are working in the U.S. without proper documentation, you can also be fined or imprisoned. In addition to that, if you work in the U.S. illegally, it can disqualify you from getting a visa or from entering the United States in the future.  In fact, getting paid for working just a couple of hours can cause serious immigration issues.

Who needs to apply for a work permit?

Certain immigrant statuses, such as asylee and refugee, authorize the individual to work in the United States. However, they will still need a work permit to serve as evidence of their authorization to employers. Therefore, if you fall into this category, you will need to apply for a work permit.

You also may need to apply for an EAD even if you’re allowed to be in the United States. Residing in the U.S. does not always mean you have the authorization to work in the U.S. It’s important to see if the provision that’s permitting you to live in the United States also grants you authorization to work. If not, you can get work authorization by applying for a work permit.

You’re not required to apply for a work permit if you are a lawful U.S. citizen, if you have a green card, or if you have a work-based visa. Keep in mind that tourists visiting the United States and undocumented immigrants are not eligible for a work permit.

You can find a complete list of those who need to apply for a work permit on the Instruction Sheet for Form I-765.

How can I apply for a work permit?

Once you’ve determined that you need to apply for a permit, fill out the Form I-765. You will also need to attach the following with your application:

• Documents proving you are eligible for a work permit
• Two color photos of yourself (passport style)
• A copy of Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
• Payment for the filing fee

You can file your application online or by mail. The mailing address for your application can be found on the USCIS website. Don’t forget to make copies of all the documents you are sending by mail.

As of 2017, the filing fee for a work permit is $410. If you’re paying online, you can pay with a credit card, debit card or electronic transfer of funds from your checkings or savings account. If you’re attaching your filing fee to your application and mailing it, you can pay by check or money order.

After you’ve sent your application and all other required documents, it may take 4.5 to 7 months before you hear back about your work permit.

Don’t go it alone!

Are you still unsure if you should apply for a work permit? Do you have questions about how to fill out the Form I-765? Don’t worry! Immigration documents can be very complex. Thankfully, our attorneys at Robichaud & Alcántara P.A. are experts when it comes to Immigration Law. Let us help you with your work permit questions so you can start working as soon as possible. Contact us today by giving us a call or filling out the form below.

The post Applying for a U.S. Work Permit appeared first on Experienced Attorneys in Minneapolis MN | Robichaud & Alcantara Law P.A..

from Experienced Attorneys in Minneapolis MN | Robichaud & Alcantara Law P.A. https://www.robichaudlaw.com/news-resources/applying-for-a-u-s-work-permit/

How to Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer

Were you or a loved one injured in an accident caused by the negligence of another person? Do you think you are entitled to get compensation for lost wages, medical bills, property damage, and pain and suffering? You should make it a priority to find an experienced personal injury lawyer to represent your case.

You are likely already experiencing a lot of pain, stress, and frustration because of your situation. You don’t want your search for an attorney to add to your anxiety. To reduce your stress, we’ve compiled some tips to help you find the right lawyer for you or your loved one.

Where to Begin

One of the best ways, if not the best way, to find a good lawyer is through referrals. You likely know of a family member, friend, or co-worker who has used the services of a personal injury lawyer. Check with them and see if they can refer you to their lawyer. Or, if you already have a lawyer who practices other areas of law, they can often refer you to a trusted colleague who practices personal injury law.

There are also referral services that provide the names of lawyers who are in good standing with the state bar and they maintain liability insurance. But be cautious with these services. Some referral services only require lawyers to meet minimal requirements to be listed as a referral.

If you decide to use a referral service, do a little research first. Check to see what information they require the lawyers to provide. A good referral service should include the attorneys’ years of experience and specialty, in addition to their status with the state bar and if they maintain liability insurance.

Some lawyers may contact you soon after you are injured. They may know a lot of information about you and your accident. These individuals are often called “ambulance chasers”. In some parts of the United States, people are even being contacted while they are in the emergency room. If you are contacted this way by an attorney, it’s often an indication that they’re not very trustworthy. Steer clear of these lawyers.

Whether you choose to use a referral from a family member or friend, a referral service, or just do an online search for local personal injury attorneys, make sure that you meet and talk with them before making a decision. It’s often advantageous to have a free consultation with multiple attorneys before selecting who you want to represent you.

What to Look for in a Good Personal Injury Lawyer

After you’ve set up appointments to meet with various lawyers, you will need to prepare yourself for the initial consultation. Let’s look at 7 things you should consider with the attorney during your first visit with them to determine if they’re a good fit for you.

1. Experience

Ask the attorney how long they’ve been practicing personal injury law and if they specialize in any other practice areas. Keep in mind that more is not always better when it comes to areas of practice. A lawyer that practices too many different types of law can’t specialize in everything. To help you determine how much experience they have in personal injury law, you can ask them what percentage of their cases are personal injury cases.

It’s also a good idea to ask them how much experience they have representing the defendant. If they have a lot more experience representing the plaintiff in personal injury cases, this could mean that they think more like the insurance company. Having that mindset, they may encourage you to settle for less, because they are thinking about how the insurance company will fare in the case. This could be detrimental for your case.

2. Resources

This may not seem very important, but it’s common for one personal injury case to cost over $100,000. Lawyers often need to consult with doctors and hire other professionals for the case. These professionals charge a fee for their investigation, deposition, and appearance in court. Then there are court costs, administrative expenses, and filing fees that can add up quickly. Make sure the attorney has enough resources for your case. They should either have enough personal assets or a line of credit that will enable them to see your case through to the end.

3. Past Clients

Speaking with past clients can give you valuable insights into what kind of lawyer you’re dealing with. A reputable lawyer should let you speak with their past clients. To help you determine if they were happy working with that attorney, ask them questions about their experience. Did they win their case? Did they have any issues working with the lawyer? If the lawyer doesn’t want you to talk with their previous clients, this could mean they have a bad reputation. You don’t want to get stuck working with a less-than-reputable attorney, so don’t work with someone who wants to hide past experience.

4. Track Record

After learning that the attorney has a good reputation with their past clients, you should check to see if they have a reputation for winning cases like yours. For example, if you have a million dollar case, you want to make sure they have won million dollar cases in the past.

It may sound like a no-brainer, but you should find out if they’ve ever taken a case to court. Some attorneys just try to get their clients to settle and never actually go to court. And insurance companies will know if they’ve never been to court. They’ll take advantage of that fact and make ridiculously low offers and try to get you to settle outside of court. Always get a lawyer that has had courtroom experience.

5. The Case

Personal injury cases usually require a lot of research and documentation. It’s very common that multiple people are assigned to help with the case. Check with the attorney to see if there will be other lawyers or paralegals working on your case. Ask to meet with them and ask about their qualifications, as well. You don’t want to hire a great lawyer only to find out that a different, less experienced attorney is actually working the case.

6. Estimates

Although attorneys can never guarantee the length or outcome of a case, competent lawyers can provide an estimate of how long the case will take. Don’t expect it to be over quickly. Personal injury cases take a lot of time. If any attorney you meet with guarantees a quick settlement and fast cash, they’re deceiving you. Find another lawyer.

7. How You Feel

After talking with the attorney, do you both feel comfortable about how you want to proceed? Whether you want a settlement, more money than what the insurance company has offered, or to get as much money as you can, make sure everyone is on board. You should never feel pressured to make any decisions, and the attorney should not force you to settle. Also, make sure that you feel comfortable working with the attorney as an individual. If you have any hesitations, keep looking.

It’s very important that you consider these factors in your search for a personal injury attorney. Their responses can reveal much about their expertise and integrity as a lawyer. Use their responses to help you determine which attorney you will trust to represent you and your personal injury case.

What’s Next?

Discuss the basics of your case with your lawyer and talk about how you want to proceed. This initial consultation should be free. If a lawyer wants to charge you just for talking about your case, go to another office.

Bring all documentation related to your accident with you on your consultation. This way the attorney can get an idea of what will be involved in your case. Bring items like:

• Police reports
• Medical records
• Bills
• Loss of income information
• All correspondence with the insurance company

Talk with as many lawyers as you need to before making a decision. You want to feel comfortable with the attorney and how they suggest you proceed with your case. Before moving forward, you should have confidence in their experience and knowledge of personal injury law.

Once you decide who you want to represent you for your personal injury case, you will need to create an agreement. Make a clear, written agreement laying out all the fees and expenses for your case. The majority of personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means they will only get paid a percentage if you win your case. This should be clearly stated in the agreement. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about any of the expenses.

Experienced Lawyers who Care

As you’ve likely concluded, a good personal injury lawyer can be hard to find. At Robichaud & Alcántara P.A., we have multiple attorneys that specialize in personal injury law. If you’d like to have a free, initial consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer who will take the time to listen to your concerns and work their best to defend your case, contact us today.

 

Quick Reference Guide

How to Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer

Finding a Lawyer

• Get a referral from a family member or friend and/or
• Get a referral from your lawyer and/or
• Use a reputable referral service and/or
• Contact one of Robichaud & Alcántara’s experienced attorneys

What Should I Bring to the Consultation?

• Police reports
• Medical records
• Bills related to your accident
• Loss of income documentation
• All correspondence with the insurance company

Asking the Right Questions

• How long have they been practicing personal injury law?
• How much experience do they have representing the defendant?
• Do they have enough resources to cover the costs of my case?
• Can I speak with their past clients?
• Do they have a good reputation with their past clients?
• Have they won cases like mine before?
• Have they taken cases to court?
• Who will be working on my case?
• About how long will my case take?
• Do I agree with how the lawyer wants to proceed with my case?
• Do I feel comfortable with the lawyer?
• What are their fees and expenses?
• Do they work on a contingency fee basis?

Once you decide which lawyer you want to represent you, have them create a formal, written agreement spelling out all fees and expenses.

The post How to Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer appeared first on Experienced Attorneys in Minneapolis MN | Robichaud & Alcantara Law P.A..

from Experienced Attorneys in Minneapolis MN | Robichaud & Alcantara Law P.A. https://www.robichaudlaw.com/news-resources/how-to-choose-a-personal-injury-lawyer/