Individuals

Immigration pathways for individuals

If you're hoping to live, work, or reunite with family in the United States, the path to get there can feel overwhelming. So many different visa categories, different agencies, different timelines, and a lot riding on getting the details right. At Cedar International Law Group, we help people understand their options and build the strongest possible case for the path that fits their situation.

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Common immigration routes

There's no single immigration process. The right path depends on your circumstances. Some of the most common routes include:

Family-Based Immigration

If you have a spouse, parent, child, or sibling who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, you may be able to immigrate based on that relationship. Depending on the relationship, this can mean a shorter wait or a longer one—some categories move quickly, while others are subject to years-long backlogs based on when the petition was filed.

Employment-Based Immigration

If you have a U.S. employer willing to sponsor you, there are several visa options depending on your field, your qualifications, and the nature of the role. There are temporary work visas and permanent, employment-based green cards. Some categories, like the E-3 available to Australian citizens, are specific to certain nationalities; others are open more broadly but come with annual caps or lottery selection.

Humanitarian Protection

If you've been the victim of a serious crime or human trafficking in the U.S., you may qualify for status designed specifically to protect victims. These include U nonimmigrant status for victims of qualifying crimes or T nonimmigrant status for trafficking survivors. These categories exist to let victims remain safely in the U.S. and, in many cases, eventually seek permanent residency.

Temporary (Nonimmigrant) Visits

Not everyone coming to the U.S. is seeking to stay permanently. Visitors, employees, students, and exchange participants each have their own visa categories with their own requirements, and even a temporary visa application, like the DS-160 required for most nonimmigrant visas, has details that matter and mistakes that can follow you into future applications.

Asylum

If you have a valid fear of persecution in your home country, an asylum application may be available to you. You must fear persecution based on one of five enumerated grounds: race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or particular social group.

What to know before choosing a path

Your path matters as much as your eligibility. Two people with similar backgrounds may qualify through very different categories. Choosing the right one from the start can save years.
Documentation carries the case. Immigration decisions are made on the strength and consistency of the record you submit, not just the facts of your situation.
Honesty is non-negotiable. Every application requires complete and truthful answers. Omissions or inconsistencies—even about things that seem minor or long resolved—can cause far more serious problems than the underlying issue itself.
Timelines are often outside anyone's control. Processing times vary by category and can change with little notice. We'll always tell you what to realistically expect.

How Cedar works with you

Cedar International Law Group is led by founder and attorney Lea Nehme, who takes the time to understand each client's full situation before recommending a path forward. We prepare thorough, well-documented filings and walk with you through every step, from your first questions about eligibility to the day your status is approved.

If you're exploring your options for coming to or staying in the United States, we'd welcome the chance to talk through your situation.

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