Immigration Attorneys - Rochester MN

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The immigration system in the United States is very complex.  The application rules and prices seem to change constantly. Even a minor mistake can result in your application being denied or delayed for many months. We will help you navigate the confusing maze of regulations and get your application done correctly the first time. 

Our personal service includes accompanying you to the interview with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).  Please contact us for more information about our immigration services or to schedule a consultation with an attorney.

Our immigration services include:

• Naturalization
  Citizenship/naturalization is the legal process by which an immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen. Any legal permanent resident who is at least 18 years of age and meets the residence and physical presence requirements can apply for naturalization. To naturalize, a legal permanent resident must also meet literacy and knowledge requirements, have good moral character, agree with the principles of the US Constitution, and take an oath of allegiance to the United States.


• Family based immigration
  The ultimate goal for many immigrants to the United States is to obtain permanent residence. One way to reach that goal is to have a family member who is already a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident sponsor and file an immigrant petition. This includes spouses and children of U.S. citizens and permanent residents, and parents and brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens.


• Adjustment of Status
  • Marriage
    The process of acquiring permanent residency through marriage to a US citizen is not automatic and must be done correctly. After the marriage, the citizen must file an I-130, and the foreign national must file the application for adjustment of status, I-485. There is a medical examination, an interview, and, if all goes well, permanent residency (green card) is granted. If the marriage is less than two years old, the permanent residency status is issued conditionally.
  • Student
    There are visa programs available to students who wish to remain in the United States after graduation. The most popular programs are the OPT (F-1 visa) and the Academic Training program (J-1 visa). Not every program is suitable for each student. This conversation should take place as soon as possible, as coordinating the paperwork for the student visa programs can take some time.


• Non-immigrant visas
  Nonimmigrant visas allow you to remain in the United States for a specific period of time and for a particular specialized temporary purpose. The B-2 Visa allows individuals to visit the US for tourism, visiting family, and obtaining medical treatment. The underlying assumption of this visitors' visa program is that each person who uses it is a potential immigrant. Therefore, it is very important to document fully the visitor's intention to return to his or her home country.


• Waivers
  A person not eligible to be admitted into the United States or to adjust her status may obtain lawful admission by filing an application for waiver of the grounds of inadmissibility. Both immigrants (intending permanent residents) and nonimmigrants (temporary visitors) can apply for waivers, although the chances of success will vary based on the ground of inadmissibility and the specific facts of the case.

Immigration Resources

Case Status: Check the status of your case
Processing Times: See the processing times for immigration applications
Immigration Forms: Access USCIS forms
Infopass: Make an appointment with your local USCIS office
USCIS change of address
Visa Bulletin

For more information regarding our immigration practice or to schedule an immediate consultation with
Brian J. Ellsworth, please email Calie Schaefer at calie@vanruf.com or call 507-281-3949.