Once you become eligible for U.S. citizenship, it might feel like filling out the application is the easiest part of your immigration journey. Now, it’s even possible to apply for U.S. citizenship online. However, experts recommend that you still work with an immigration lawyer in Tampa, even though you may see your application as straightforward.
There are many benefits to working with an attorney, regardless of your current immigration status. Experts in the law can offer guidance and advice about living and working in the United States. The Tampa Immigration Law Center lawyers are committed to providing clients with honest, candid advice regarding their options. Here are a few of the reasons you need a Tampa immigration lawyer to apply for U.S. citizenship.
An immigration lawyer will make sure you’re eligible for citizenship.
There are many reasons you may not be eligible to apply for naturalization or citizenship, including outstanding arrest warrants. This issue can arise from simple situations, such as when an individual fails to pay a traffic citation in a different county from where they live. A judge issues a warrant, but the individual has no idea the ticket remains unpaid until they submit their citizenship application.
An experienced immigration lawyer in Tampa will ensure you don’t have any loose ends in your past that would make your application ineligible for citizenship.
A lawyer can also let you know if you’re exempt from specific citizenship requirements, such as:
- Certain exemptions for applicants over 50
- Language and civics exemptions for some medical disabilities
- Continuous residence exemptions for those who travel for work
Before applying for citizenship, you should know your eligibility and exemptions; a Tampa immigration lawyer can help.
Get help gathering the necessary documents to prove citizenship eligibility.
Applying for citizenship requires massive amounts of paperwork. Tracking down the necessary documents can be time-consuming and stressful. Immigration lawyers have years of experience handling citizenship cases. They know the requirements intimately and the best strategies for acquiring everything you will need for your application.
The document requirements change depending on your unique situation, such as if:
- Your spouse is a citizen
- You’ve traveled outside the U.S. for more than six months
- Law enforcement detained you, whether or not they filed charges
- You owe taxes
It takes an immigration expert to understand how your unique situation affects your eligibility for U.S. citizenship and the paperwork you’ll need to file your application.
Working with a lawyer avoids mistakes on the application.
A single error in filling out the application or submitting the paperwork can cause significant delays and issues in gaining citizenship. By working with a lawyer before any mistakes are made, you can make the process of applying for U.S. citizenship stress-free.
An attorney has legal expertise regarding immigration, plus they’ve been through the entire application process with clients many times. They can foresee potential problems with any application. At Tampa Immigration Law Center, we pride ourselves on transparency and candid advice, helping our clients to live and work in the United States, whatever their situation.
Get experienced guidance to prepare for the interview.
Part of the process for citizenship naturalization is an interview and test with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. During the interview, an officer will ask questions about your application for citizenship and your background. The test includes your English skills and a civics exam about U.S. government and history.
An immigration lawyer will let you know what to expect during the exam or file for an exemption if you qualify. Individuals over 50 who have lived in the U.S. for over 20 years are exempt from testing requirements, as are those with certain medical disabilities.
The Tampa Immigration Law Center provides experienced immigration lawyers to help clients apply for U.S. citizenship.
Our mission is to provide legal services in the Tampa area for immigration and deportation. We give candid advice and guidance when it comes to dealing with the stressful issues surrounding immigration. Regardless of what you’re facing, we’re committed to providing honest, reliable legal services––something missing from Florida immigration law for too long.
If you’re eligible for U.S. citizenship, work with an experienced immigration lawyer in Tampa to ensure an error doesn’t compromise your immigration status in your citizenship paperwork.