Florida & New York Green Card Lawyer

Helping Clients in Florida Establish Permanent Residency

If you want to become a naturalized citizen of the United States, securing your green card is the first step. Every year, immigrants earn lawful permanent residency by obtaining a green card. Green card holders can legally live and work in the U.S. and access privileges such as getting a driver’s license.

For many applicants in Central Florida, working with an attorney who knows the local USCIS offices in Orlando provides helpful insight. Our understanding of processing times, required local documentation, and common issues within the Orlando immigration system allows us to guide you with accuracy. Many families in the Orlando area depend on green card applications to connect generations, create new opportunities, and build permanent lives in the United States.

In most cases, someone must file an immigrant petition as your sponsor. This sponsor could be an immediate family member in the United States or a potential employer. In some circumstances, you may qualify to file for yourself.

Why Hire Our Green Card Attorney?

While the process may seem simple, unexpected challenges can arise. A knowledgeable Florida & New York green card attorney at The Sekou Clarke Law Group can provide valuable guidance. We offer:

• Legal advice & guidance
• Hands-on representation
• The ability to handle complicated situations
• Personal familiarity with the green card process as immigrants ourselves

Our team draws on lived experience as immigrants in the United States. This allows us to offer each client a level of empathy that is often missing from traditional legal services. We serve a broad range of clients throughout Orlando, Miami, other Florida cities, and New York State. Because our staff communicates fluently in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Portuguese, we help clients of many backgrounds navigate the process. If you appreciate personal attention and guidance from a team that understands the immigration journey, our firm can support you during this process.

Are you an immigrant seeking permanent residency in the United States? Contact The Sekou Clarke Law Group today at (407) 269-8774 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our green card lawyer in Florida & New York! Se habla español. Nós Falamos Português. Nou pale kreyòl ayisyen.

Understanding Eligibility for a Green Card in Florida

To apply for a green card in Florida, you must meet eligibility standards set by U.S. immigration law. Family-based sponsorship is the most common path, usually through a spouse, child, parent, or sibling who is a U.S. citizen or lawful resident. If you work in Orlando, you may also qualify for an employment-based green card if your employer sponsors you. Applicants facing humanitarian circumstances, such as refugees or asylees, may also qualify. Each path requires different supporting documents and thorough review by immigration authorities, so identifying your eligibility before starting the process can help you avoid obstacles. Many permanent residents in Central Florida have used these routes to build stable lives for their families.

Laws and requirements can change, especially for applicants from certain countries or with unique circumstances. Speaking with an attorney helps you know whether you qualify for permanent residency and what evidence supports your application best. By following the latest guidelines, you can prepare a strong case and confidently apply at the Orlando USCIS office or elsewhere in Florida.

Green Card Processing & Wait Times in Orlando

Green card application processing times will vary depending on the type of case, the volume of applications at the Orlando USCIS office, and your individual situation. The local field office receives a significant number of cases every year, which can impact interview scheduling and decisions. Adjustment-of-status cases in Orlando often take several months to over a year. Family-based and employment-based applications can follow different queues, so knowing your category and case status provides clearer expectations. Our local insight accounts for these details and keeps you informed during your journey.

Missing paperwork, address updates, or requests for more evidence in Florida can delay an application. Staying organized and following your local office’s requirements helps reduce unnecessary wait time. While every case is unique, having accurate information on Orlando’s green card process allows for better planning and peace of mind about next steps.

How to Apply For a Green Card

There are various ways to apply for a green card, and each requires specific paperwork. Our firm's Florida & New York green card attorney can help identify the best approach for you.

Choosing the right green card category is the first—and essential—decision. Residents of Orlando may apply as family members, employees, investors, or under humanitarian programs, depending on their unique circumstances. Our team helps you determine which category fits your situation and what documentation you will need under current U.S. immigration law. Sponsorship by an immediate family member who is already a citizen or lawful permanent resident, or through a job offer from a Florida employer, are the most common paths to permanent residency. Each option involves different requirements and steps, so preparing in advance prevents unnecessary delays.

Some of the ways you can apply for a green card are:

• Through family
• Through employment
• As a special immigrant
• As a victim of abuse
• As a refugee
• As an asylee
• As a victim of crime
• As a victim of human trafficking
• As an applicant under the Cuban Adjustment Act
• As an applicant to the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program
• As a resident of the United States who has lived in the country since before January 1, 1972.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Green Card Through Employment?

Getting a green card for employment involves the steps below:

Employment-based green card processing times depend on your occupation, country of origin, and the need for your skills. For applicants in Orlando, processing times may differ from other regions based on the local USCIS office and case complexity. Some jobs may qualify for faster processing, while others face annual visa quotas or longer wait lists. Many workers in Central Florida—especially in healthcare, engineering, technology, and hospitality—use employment-based pathways for permanent residency. We guide clients in preparing documentation, responding to evidence requests, and tracking each application’s progress through Orlando’s USCIS office.

• Permanent Labor Certification: 6 months to several years
• I-140 petition approval: an average of 4 months
• I-485 application approval: an average of 6 months

US Temporary Work Visas

Depending on your case, it may take more or less time. In many cases, it may take several years to obtain a green card. However, you may qualify to work in the U.S. first with a temporary work visa such as:

Many newcomers to Orlando begin with a temporary work visa before pursuing permanent residency. These visas, such as the H-1B or L-1, allow you to gain work experience with Florida employers while you wait for your green card application to process. We help you comply with both local and federal rules to protect your future eligibility. With Orlando’s vibrant service sector, healthcare field, and tourism industry, employment-based visas often form the first step for permanent residency applicants.

• B1 Visa
• Investor Visa
• H-1B Visa
• L-1 Visa
• O Visa
• P Visa
• R Visa

“Special immigrants” include religious workers, special immigrant juveniles, and international broadcasters.

Contact The Sekou Clarke Law Group to meet with our Florida & New York green card attorney!