Dublin, Ohio Office
565 Metro pl. S #100, Dublin, OH 43017, USA
Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., appointments recommended
Table of Contents
show
Our Dublin Immigration Attorneys
Our attorneys meet clients at our Dublin, Ohio office by appointment, and also by telephone or video. Our practice is limited exclusively to U.S. immigration law.
- Sam Shihab, the firm’s founder and a Partner, has practiced law since 1995. He advises employers, human resources professionals, and individuals on employment-based and family-based immigration.
- Brian Burke, Partner, has practiced immigration law for more than 15 years, working closely with corporate clients and families.
- Cheryl Brikho, Senior Partner, brings more than 20 years of experience in employment-based immigration, representing companies and professionals in petitions and labor certifications.
- Joe Morehart, Partner, has practiced immigration law since 2014. He helps manage the firm’s employment-based practice and represents clients in appeals and federal court litigation.
- Astrid Long-Kellough, Associate Attorney, handles family-based and employment-based immigration matters.
Immigration Services in Dublin, Ohio
Work Visas for Professionals
We prepare H-1B petitions, including cap registrations, extensions, amendments, and changes to a new employer, as well as L-1, O-1, TN, and E-3 visas.
Employment-Based Green Cards
We guide employers and employees through PERM labor certification, Form I-140 petitions, and adjustment of status, and we prepare EB-1 and EB-2 National Interest Waiver cases for qualifying professionals and researchers.
Services for Employers
We help Dublin-area employers manage their immigration programs, including Form I-9 compliance, H-1B audits, and immigration planning during mergers and acquisitions.
Family Immigration
We help U.S. citizens and permanent residents bring spouses, children, parents, and siblings to the United States, including K-1 fiancé visas, and we assist families with removal of conditions on permanent residence.
Investors and Business Owners
We represent investors and business owners in E-1 and E-2 treaty visas, L-1A visas for executives opening a U.S. office, and EB-5 investor green cards.
U.S. Citizenship
When permanent residents become eligible, we help them apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization.
Immigration Options for International Students and Graduates
For international students at The Ohio State University and other Central Ohio universities, the move from graduation to a long-term career depends on careful timing. Our attorneys advise students, graduates, and their employers on F-1 student status, Optional Practical Training (OPT) and the STEM OPT extension, the change from F-1 to H-1B status, and, later, employment-based green cards.
Serving Dublin’s International Community
Dublin and its neighboring communities are home to a diverse international community, including a well-established Indian-American community. We understand the long-term planning these families face, from H-1B extensions and work authorization for H-4 spouses to employment-based green card backlogs and, eventually, U.S. citizenship.
Scheduling a Consultation at Our Dublin Office
To schedule, call (614) 791-0500 or use the form on this page. You may meet with an attorney in person in Dublin, by telephone, or by video. A first consultation usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. The attorney will review your situation, explain your options and the likely next steps, and quote the fee for the work. For most matters, we charge a flat fee.
If you have received a notice from USCIS or another government agency, such as a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID), please send us a copy before your appointment so the attorney can review it in advance. The consultation is an evaluation of your case and is not intended as complete legal advice.
Visiting Our Dublin, Ohio Office
Our Dublin office is on the first floor of 565 Metro Place South, in the Metro Place office complex on the northwest side of Columbus, just off I-270 near the State Route 161 exit. Free parking is available in front of and behind the building, including designated visitor spaces.
Communities We Serve from Our Dublin Office
Our Dublin, Ohio office is convenient for clients in Dublin, Hilliard, Powell, Upper Arlington, Worthington, Plain City, Marysville, Delaware, and throughout Central Ohio. We also represent clients across Ohio and the United States by telephone and video.
Dublin Immigration FAQs
Can I change employers while on an H-1B visa?
In many cases, yes. Under the H-1B portability provisions, an eligible H-1B worker may begin employment with a new employer after USCIS receives a properly filed, nonfrivolous H-1B petition, without waiting for approval. Eligibility depends on satisfying the applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, including those relating to lawful admission and unauthorized employment. Timing is especially important following a layoff or other interruption in employment.
What are the main steps in an employer-sponsored green card?
For many professionals, the process has three stages: PERM labor certification with the U.S. Department of Labor, an immigrant petition (Form I-140) filed by the employer with USCIS, and, when a visa number is available, adjustment of status in the United States or an immigrant visa abroad. Some applicants, such as those who qualify for EB-1 or a National Interest Waiver, do not need a labor certification.
I was born in India. Why is my employment-based green card taking so long?
Employment-based immigrant visas are subject to annual numerical limits and per-country limitations. Because demand from India substantially exceeds available visa numbers in certain categories, applicants born in India may experience lengthy waits, particularly in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories. Depending on an individual’s qualifications and immigration history, options such as EB-1 classification or retention of an earlier priority date may be worth evaluating. These options are not available in every case and do not necessarily eliminate visa backlogs.
Can my H-4 spouse work in the United States?
Certain H-4 dependent spouses may qualify for employment authorization if the principal H-1B worker is the beneficiary of an approved Form I-140 immigrant petition or has been granted H-1B status beyond the normal six-year limit under qualifying provisions of the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act (AC21). Eligible spouses generally must obtain an Employment Authorization Document before beginning employment. We can assess whether your spouse qualifies.
What should I do if I receive a Request for Evidence?
Read it carefully, note the response deadline, and seek advice promptly. A Request for Evidence (RFE) means USCIS needs more information before deciding your case. A complete, well-organized response that addresses each point raised gives your case the best opportunity for approval. If you prepared your original filing on your own, an attorney can review both the RFE and the filing.
Can I bring my parents to the United States?
U.S. citizens who are at least 21 years old may petition for their parents to become permanent residents. Permanent residents may not petition for their parents. Parents may also visit on a visitor visa, which requires showing that the visit is temporary.
