Immigration for Business Owners Lawyer in Gainesville, GA
U.S. immigration options can help you secure skilled workers, transfer executives, or invest in American opportunities.
But complex rules, limited visa quotas, and lengthy processing times create significant obstacles for businesses.
Let our attorneys develop an immigration strategy aligned with your company’s growth plans and talent needs.
Grow Your Business with Strategic Immigration Solutions
Whether you’re a startup founder needing specialized skills, an established company transferring executives from overseas operations, or an entrepreneur investing in American opportunities, navigating the complex intersection of business and immigration law requires expert guidance.
At Holden Law Firm, we understand that business immigration isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about your company’s growth, innovation potential, and competitive edge. With Attorney Giovanna Holden’s unique perspective as both an immigrant and business-focused attorney, we provide immigration strategies that align with your business goals.
Business Immigration Services We Provide
Employment-Based Visas and Green Cards
We help businesses secure the right talent with various employment-based options:
- H-1B Visas: For professionals in specialty occupations requiring theoretical or technical expertise
- L-1 Visas: For intracompany transferees (executives, managers, and specialized knowledge employees)
- O-1 Visas: For individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement
- TN Visas: For Canadian and Mexican professionals under USMCA (formerly NAFTA)
- E-3 Visas: Specifically for Australian professionals in specialty occupations
- Employment-Based Green Cards: EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 petitions for permanent residency
Entrepreneur and Investor Immigration
For business owners and investors looking to establish or expand operations in the U.S.:
- E-1 Treaty Trader Visas: For business owners engaged in substantial trade with the U.S.
- E-2 Treaty Investor Visas: For entrepreneurs investing significantly in a U.S. business
- EB-5 Investor Green Cards: For substantial investments creating jobs for U.S. workers
- International Entrepreneur Parole: For promising startup founders with capital backing
Compliance and Business Planning
Protecting your business from costly immigration-related violations:
- I-9 Compliance: Audit preparation and remediation for employee verification procedures
- LCA Compliance: Labor Condition Application assistance for H-1B and E-3 visas
- PERM Labor Certification: Strategic planning for the complex recruitment and certification process
- Corporate Restructuring Immigration Planning: Managing visa implications during mergers, acquisitions, or restructuring
Strategic Approaches to Business Immigration
Every business has unique needs. Our approach focuses on aligning immigration strategies with your specific business objectives:
For Startups and Small Businesses
When every hire matters and resources are limited, we help you:
- Identify cost-effective visa options for critical talent acquisition
- Navigate alternatives when H-1B cap challenges arise
- Create immigration packages that appeal to international talent
- Develop compliance systems that scale with your growth
For Established Businesses
For companies with existing international operations or workforce needs:
- Design streamlined processes for frequent visa applications
- Create long-term strategies for converting key employees to permanent residents
- Provide training for HR teams on immigration compliance
- Address complex challenges for specialized industries
For Foreign Entrepreneurs and Investors
If you’re bringing your business vision to the United States:
- Evaluate the most appropriate visa pathways based on your investment capacity
- Structure business plans to satisfy immigration requirements
- Navigate regional center options for EB-5 investments
- Create transition strategies from temporary to permanent status
Common Business Immigration Challenges We Solve
H-1B Cap Limitations
With demand far exceeding the annual quota of 85,000 H-1B visas, many businesses face disappointment in the lottery system. We help clients:
- Identify alternative visa categories when H-1B isn’t available
- Prepare strategic timing for cap-exempt opportunities
- Develop backup plans to retain valuable talent
- Navigate the complexities of the registration system
Lengthy PERM Processing
The labor certification process for many employment-based green cards can take 18+ months. Our approach includes:
- Strategic timing of recruitment and application filing
- Careful preparation to avoid costly audit triggers
- Alternative pathways that may bypass PERM when available
- Concurrent planning to maintain valid nonimmigrant status during lengthy processes
Changing Business Circumstances
Business is dynamic, but immigration processes prefer stability. We help with:
- Immigration implications during corporate restructuring
- Amending petitions when job duties or locations change
- Maintaining status during layoffs or reductions in force
- Strategic planning for visa renewals and extensions
Compliance Risks
Immigration violations can result in significant penalties and business disruption. We provide:
- I-9 compliance training and audit preparation
- Public Access File maintenance for H-1B employers
- Wage and hour compliance strategies for visa holders
- Proactive planning to avoid status gaps
Current Processing Times and Strategic Planning
Understanding current timeframes helps businesses plan effectively. Here are approximate processing times for common business immigration pathways (as of early 2025):
| Visa/Petition Type | Regular Processing | Premium Processing (where available) | Additional Steps |
|---|---|---|---|
| H-1B Initial Petition | 6-8 months | 15 calendar days | Cap registration in March |
| L-1 Petition | 4-6 months | 15 calendar days | Consular processing if abroad |
| O-1 Petition | 4-6 months | 15 calendar days | N/A |
| E-2 Visa | N/A | N/A | 2-6 months at consulate |
| PERM Labor Certification | 8-12 months | Not available | Required before EB-2/3 petition |
| I-140 (EB-1/2/3) | 6-12 months | 15 calendar days | Must wait for priority date for I-485 |
| I-485 Adjustment | 12-24 months | Not available | Employment authorization in 3-6 months |
Note: Processing times fluctuate based on USCIS workload, policy changes, and other factors. Consult with our office for the most current information.
Why Businesses Choose Holden Law Firm
Business-Focused Immigration Strategy
We don’t just process visas—we align immigration planning with your business objectives. Our approach considers your:
- Growth projections and hiring timelines
- Budget constraints and priorities
- Industry-specific challenges
- Long-term talent retention goals
Personal Investment in Your Success
Attorney Giovanna Holden brings a unique perspective as both an immigrant and business-focused attorney. She understands that behind every business immigration case is:
- A company striving to maintain competitive advantage
- An entrepreneur pursuing the American dream
- Families whose stability depends on successful outcomes
- Communities enriched by international talent and investment
Proactive Communication and Planning
Business immigration requires foresight and coordination. Our clients appreciate that we:
- Provide strategic roadmaps with clear milestones and timelines
- Alert you to upcoming renewal deadlines before they become urgent
- Offer regular case status updates
- Explain complex regulations in business-relevant terms
Bilingual Support for Global Operations
With full English and Spanish capabilities, we facilitate clear communication with:
- International employees and transferees
- Foreign business partners and investors
- Overseas offices and operations
- Diverse management teams
Take Action to Secure Your Business Immigration Needs
Immigration challenges shouldn’t limit your business potential. At Holden Law Firm, we combine legal expertise with business practicality to create immigration solutions that advance your goals.
Schedule a consultation today to discuss your specific business immigration needs with Attorney Giovanna Holden. Together, we’ll develop a strategy that supports your business growth while navigating the complexities of U.S. immigration law.
The information provided on this page is for general educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently, and outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case. Please contact our office for advice tailored to your business situation.
The most common options include H-1B visas for specialty occupation professionals, L-1 visas for intracompany transferees, O-1 visas for individuals with extraordinary ability, E-3 visas for Australian professionals, and TN status for Canadian and Mexican professionals under USMCA. Each visa category has specific requirements regarding qualifications, job duties, employer relationships, and duration of stay. The best option depends on factors like the candidate’s qualifications, your business relationship with the individual, long-term employment plans, and processing timelines.
Foreign entrepreneurs typically pursue E-2 treaty investor visas (requiring a substantial investment in a U.S. business from a treaty country) or EB-5 immigrant investor visas (requiring a $1,050,000 investment, or $800,000 in targeted employment areas, creating at least 10 full-time jobs). Other options include L-1A visas for entrepreneurs who first establish a business abroad and then expand to the U.S., or O-1A visas for entrepreneurs with extraordinary achievement. Each pathway has specific requirements regarding investment amounts, business viability, job creation, and the applicant’s role in the business.
Employers sponsoring foreign workers must comply with specific obligations that vary by visa type. Generally, these include: maintaining accurate records and documentation of the sponsorship; paying required wages (often prevailing wages for the position and location); providing working conditions that don’t adversely affect U.S. workers; notifying immigration authorities of material changes in employment; complying with I-9 employment verification requirements; and maintaining required public access files for certain visa categories. Non-compliance can result in financial penalties, debarment from immigration programs, and difficulties for the sponsored employees.
The H-1B visa program has an annual cap of 65,000 regular visas plus an additional 20,000 for individuals with U.S. master’s degrees or higher. When USCIS receives more registrations than available visas, they conduct a random selection process. First, all master’s degree or higher registrations are entered in the advanced degree lottery for the 20,000 visas. Unselected advanced degree registrations are then added to the regular lottery for the remaining 65,000 visas. In recent years, the overall selection probability has been approximately 20-30%, with slightly higher odds for advanced degree holders. Employers should always have alternative strategies prepared in case their registrations aren’t selected.
The most common pathway involves employer sponsorship through the PERM labor certification process, followed by an I-140 immigrant petition and eventually adjustment of status (I-485) or consular processing. For exceptional employees, options like EB-1A (extraordinary ability) or EB-1C (multinational managers/executives) may bypass the PERM requirement. The timeline varies significantly based on the employee’s country of birth, qualification category, and current visa status, ranging from 1-2 years for EB-1 categories from most countries to 10+ years for EB-3 applicants from countries with high demand like India and China. Planning should start early, considering visa expiration dates and priority date backlogs.
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lawyer giovanna holden represents the Georgia immigrant community.
Hello! I am lawyer Giovanna Andrea Holden. I am dedicated to helping our Hispanic community acquire or protect their legal status
I was born in Colombia and immigrated to the United States at age 19 along with my parents and siblings. Fortunately, my maternal grandfather became a US citizen and was able to apply for us. Although the wait time was long, I managed to reach the United States before I could no longer qualify for residency due to my age.
Like many children of immigrants, I have always kept in mind the sacrifice my parents made when coming to a new country to give us a better life and more opportunities. Therefore, I decided to strive during my studies to become a lawyer. I completed my undergraduate studies at Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia.
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The best lawyer ever!!!! She takes her time to explain everything to you. If you have any questions she will answer herself. She truly cares for…
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First of all, thank you for your excellent service, thank God and you, the case was resolved in an easy, quick and favorable way for me.…
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