Employment & Investor Visa Lawyer in Queens, NY

If you’re a foreign professional, skilled worker, entrepreneur, or investor looking to live and work legally in the United States, you need an immigration attorney who understands both the law and what’s at stake for your career and family. At Maria Mateo Law PC in Queens, we guide individuals, employers, and investors across New York City and worldwide through every category of U.S. employment-based and investor visa — from temporary work permits like the H-1B to permanent residency through EB-5 investment.

Why Choose Maria Mateo Law for Your Employment or Investor Visa

• Decades of immigration experience representing professionals, employers, and investors before USCIS, the U.S. Department of Labor, and U.S. consulates abroad
• Bilingual representation in English and Spanish — atención completa en español
• Featured on Telemundo and Telenoticias as a trusted immigration legal commentator in New York
• Recognized by the Women’s Bar Association of the State of NY, AVVO, and 10 Best Attorney rankings
• Personalized strategy — we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach; we match the right visa to your goals
• Local Queens office convenient to all five boroughs, Long Island, and the Tri-State area

Employment-Based Visas We Handle

Choosing the right work visa is the difference between a smooth approval and a costly denial. Below are the employment categories our firm regularly files and litigates.

H-1B Visa — Specialty Occupation Workers

The H-1B is the most common temporary work visa for foreign professionals in fields such as IT, engineering, finance, medicine, and architecture. We handle the entire process, including:

• H-1B cap registration and lottery filings
• Cap-exempt H-1B petitions (universities, nonprofits, research organizations)
• H-1B transfers, amendments, and extensions
• PERM Labor Certification for the green card stage
• Responses to Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs)

L-1A and L-1B Visas — Intracompany Transferees

If your multinational employer is transferring you to a U.S. office, the L-1 visa lets executives, managers (L-1A), and employees with specialized knowledge (L-1B) work in the U.S. for up to seven years. We assist both established companies and new-office L-1 petitions for businesses opening their first U.S. branch.

O-1 Visa — Individuals of Extraordinary Ability

The O-1 visa is reserved for individuals at the top of their field — sciences, arts, education, business, athletics, film, or television. We help artists, scientists, executives, and athletes document their achievements with the evidence USCIS expects.

P-1A and P-1B Visas — Athletes and Entertainment Groups

• P-1A: Internationally recognized athletes competing individually or as part of a team
• P-1B: Members of internationally recognized entertainment groups

R-1 Visa — Temporary Religious Workers

For ministers and religious workers coming to serve a U.S. nonprofit religious organization, we prepare R-1 petitions and assist with the religious worker green card pathway (EB-4).

Treaty Trader & Investor Visas (E-1 and E-2)

If you are a citizen of a country that has a qualifying treaty with the United States, the E-1 (Treaty Trader) and E-2 (Treaty Investor) visas offer a flexible, renewable path to live and operate a business in the U.S. — without the long wait times of green card categories.

E-1 Treaty Trader Visa

For nationals of treaty countries engaged in substantial international trade between the U.S. and their home country.

E-2 Treaty Investor Visa

For investors making a substantial, at-risk investment in a real, operating U.S. enterprise. There is no fixed minimum investment, but the amount must be sufficient to ensure the success of the business. Our firm has helped entrepreneurs from Latin America, Europe, and Asia structure E-2 qualifying investments — from restaurants and retail to professional services and tech startups in NYC.

Employment-Based Green Cards (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3)

For permanent residency through employment, U.S. immigration law provides five preference categories. Maria Mateo Law represents clients in the three most common employment green card paths.

EB-1 — Priority Workers

Reserved for the most accomplished individuals — Nobel-caliber researchers, executives of multinational corporations, and individuals with sustained national or international acclaim.

EB-2 and the National Interest Waiver (NIW)

For professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability. The NIW lets qualified applicants self-petition without an employer sponsor or PERM, if their work is in the national interest — a powerful option for entrepreneurs, researchers, and STEM professionals.

EB-3 — Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers

A pathway for skilled workers (2+ years of training/experience), professionals with bachelor’s degrees, and other workers in occupations requiring less than two years of training. We assist both the foreign worker and the petitioning U.S. employer through PERM and I-140 filings.

EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa — Green Card Through Investment

The EB-5 Investor Visa allows foreign investors and their immediate families (spouse and unmarried children under 21) to obtain U.S. permanent residency by making a qualifying investment that creates jobs for American workers.

Current EB-5 Investment Requirements

• $800,000 minimum investment in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) — rural areas, high-unemployment zones, or qualifying infrastructure projects
• $1,050,000 minimum investment outside a TEA
• Must create at least 10 full-time U.S. jobs within two years
• Must demonstrate a lawful source of funds

Source: USCIS / EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022

How We Help EB-5 Investors

• Evaluating direct investment vs. Regional Center options
• Source-of-funds documentation and tracing
• I-526E petitions and I-829 conditions removal
• Coordination with consular processing or adjustment of status
• RFE responses and complex case strategy

Who We Help

• Foreign professionals seeking U.S. work authorization
• U.S. employers sponsoring international talent
• Entrepreneurs and investors establishing or acquiring U.S. businesses
• Multinational companies transferring executives and key staff
• Artists, athletes, and researchers of extraordinary ability
• Families accompanying the principal visa holder (derivative beneficiaries)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get an employment-based green card?

Timelines vary widely based on visa category and country of birth. EB-1 cases for most countries can be approved in under a year, while EB-2 and EB-3 applicants from India and China may face multi-year backlogs due to per-country limits. We’ll review the current Visa Bulletin with you during your consultation.

What’s the difference between an E-2 visa and an EB-5 visa?

The E-2 is a non-immigrant (temporary) visa that can be renewed indefinitely as long as the business operates — it’s faster and requires less capital, but it does not lead directly to a green card. The EB-5 requires a larger investment ($800K–$1.05M) but provides a direct path to U.S. permanent residency for the investor and immediate family.

Do I need a job offer to get an employment-based green card?

Most categories (EB-2, EB-3, EB-1B, EB-1C) require a sponsoring U.S. employer. EB-1A (extraordinary ability), EB-2 NIW, and EB-5 do not — applicants can self-petition.

Can my family come with me on an employment or investor visa?

Yes. Spouses and unmarried children under 21 qualify as derivative beneficiaries for nearly all employment and investor visa categories. We file dependent petitions alongside the principal application.

Do you offer consultations in Spanish?

Sí. Maria Mateo and our staff offer full bilingual representation in English and Spanish. Ofrecemos consultas en español.