Herbert J. Tan, Esq. - Immigration

Immigration Services

The Tan Law Firm also concentrates on immigration law. We have special expertise in work visas, family based visas, visa waivers, green cards through family and employment and asylum. We are well known for our zealous and creative advocacy on behalf of our clients. Below is a list of some of our services:

Family and marriage visas
Employment visas such as H-1B,H-2B
Asylum visas
J-1 Visitors Visas
F-1 Student Visas
Detention and Removal Proceedings
Citizenship and Naturalization
US Passports

The Tan Law Firm assists large and small companies and institutions nationwide in complying with the complex immigration requirements of the USCIS, DOL and DOS to retain highly skilled workers in such fields as information technology, medical research, computer software, engineering, hospitality, art, martial arts and medicine.

Immigration law is federal law which means that we are licensed to assist clients nationwide and even worldwide. The majority of immigration filings are done through the mail. This allows us to efficiently represent clients where they live and work.

DID YOU KNOW. . .

Requirements for Naturalization

Technical Requirements- In general, an alien must be admitted to a permanent resident status to be eligible to become a naturalized citizen of the U.S. He must also be 18 years old or older at the time of filing for naturalization. This applies when the alien is filing alone. Certain exceptions apply allowing a minor alien to become naturalized prior to the minor alien's 18th birthday.

Residential Requirements - An alien must reside in the United States for a continuous period prior to the filing of the naturalization application. If an alien is not married to an American citizen, he must reside in the U.S. for a continuous period of five years after lawful admission to the U.S. as a permanent resident. If an alien is married to a U.S. citizen, he must reside in the U.S. for a continuous period of three years following lawful admission to the U.S. as a permanent resident. The alien must be in marital union with the spouse citizen for three years before the alien's citizen exam date, and the citizen spouse must have been a citizen during that time. Immigration regulations define "marital union" as residing together. A prolonged absence from the U.S. will break the continuity of the alien's residence in the U.S. for naturalization purposes, although it may not affect the alien's ability to return to the U.S. as a permanent resident. An absence from the U.S. of less than six months does not break the alien's continuity of residence in the U.S. for naturalization purposes. However, an alien's absence from the U.S. of six months or more breaks an alien's continuity of residence. If the break is from six months to one year, the break can be excused if a reasonable explanation can be given for the alien's absence.
Language Requirement - The prospective citizen must have an ability to read, write, and speak ordinary English. This is determined by testing by an immigration examiner. The portion of the English language requirement dealing with understanding and the ability to speak the language is determined by the alien's responses to questions asked by the immigration officer in the alien's interview. The alien's reading and writing proficiency is tested by written examination.
Knowledge and Understanding of the Fundamentals of U.S. History and Government Requirement: The prospective citizen must have knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of U.S. history and government. This is determined by the administration of a multiple choice test. In general, those exempt from the English requirement must still meet this requirement. Exceptions are those who are mentally and physically impaired and special considerations can be given to those who are exempt from the English requirement based on age and length of stay. Those special considerations are usually a test in modified form.
Good Moral Character and Attachment to the Principles of the U.S. Constitution Requirement: The prospective citizen must have good moral character and attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution. An alien can fail to meet this requirement in the following circumstances: