Sunnyvale Immigration Lawyers Helping NRIs and OCIs with Green Cards, PR, Citizenship & OCI Cards

Navigating the U.S. immigration system is a complex journey, especially for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) aiming to secure Green Cards, Permanent Residency (PR), or U.S. Citizenship. Whether you’re a high-net-worth individual, a skilled professional, or an OCI cardholder with deep Indian roots, having expert Sunnyvale immigration lawyers by your side ensures you’re making confident, legally sound decisions.

Why NRIs and OCIs Trust Sunnyvale Immigration Lawyers

For NRIs and OCIs, U.S. immigration isn’t just about forms and timelines—it’s about maintaining family ties, financial continuity, and long-term plans across borders. Immigration attorneys in Sunnyvale bring not only deep knowledge of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) but also cultural sensitivity and experience with Indian-origin clients.

These lawyers provide personalised strategies that address visa backlogs, documentation gaps, and the dual challenges of Indian and American legal requirements.

1. Your Roadmap to a U.S. Green Card

Obtaining a Green Card is often the most significant step for NRIs wanting to live and work in the U.S. permanently. Sunnyvale immigration lawyers assist with the three main paths:

Family-Based Immigration: If you have U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident relatives, they can sponsor your application via Form I-130.
Employment-Based Green Cards: NRIs working in the U.S. often pursue EB-1, EB-2, or EB-3 categories. Employers file Form I-140, followed by Form I-485 for status adjustment.
Diversity Visa Lottery: For applicants from underrepresented countries, the Diversity Visa Program offers another avenue.

An experienced visa lawyer in Sunnyvale helps you avoid common pitfalls—missed deadlines, incorrect documentation, or overlooked eligibility criteria—by ensuring every step of your Green Card process is accurate and compliant.

2. Moving from Visa to Permanent Residency (PR)

PR, or lawful permanent residency, is often the goal for NRIs holding temporary U.S. visas like the H-1B. Through adjustment of status, you can transition from a non-immigrant to a permanent resident without leaving the country. Your Sunnyvale immigration lawyer will manage the complex paperwork and help you avoid visa violations during the transition.

3. The Final Step: Becoming a U.S. Citizen

Once you’ve held a Green Card for five years (or three years if married to a U.S. citizen), you can apply for naturalisation using Form N-400. You’ll need to meet residency, language, and civics test requirements, along with proving good moral character.

India doesn’t allow dual citizenship, but you can still retain your OCI status after naturalisation. A Sunnyvale visa lawyer will guide you through the renunciation process and prepare you for the citizenship interview, ensuring full compliance with INA § 316.

4. OCI Card Services: Keeping Your Indian Identity Alive

For U.S. citizens of Indian origin, the OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card is your lifeline to India—offering lifelong visa-free travel, property rights, and residency benefits. But the process can be tricky.

Sunnyvale immigration lawyers assist with:

Online application filing via the VFS Global portal.
Gathering proof of Indian origin (even if your Indian passport is lost or expired).
Documenting renunciation of Indian citizenship.
Coordinating biometric appointments and follow-ups.

Their help ensures you avoid delays and complications during your OCI card application.

5. Latest U.S. & Indian Legal Updates That Impact NRIs

Immigration law evolves fast. Here are key updates affecting NRIs and OCIs:

2024 USCIS Fee Revisions: Application costs have increased; your lawyer can help you plan accordingly.
Visa Bulletin July 2025: Indian EB-2 and EB-3 categories face backlogs, but EB-1 remains more favorable for eligible applicants.
Public Charge Rule: Recent court rulings clarify its application under different administrations.
Indian Digital Birth Certificate (2023): Simplifies documentation for NRI children born abroad.
Indian Supreme Court: Reinforced equal property rights for daughters—important for NRI inheritance matters.

Five Most Asked NRI Questions – Answered by Sunnyvale Visa Experts

Q1: I’m on an H-1B. How can I get a Green Card faster despite Indian backlogs?

A: Ask your Sunnyvale immigration lawyer if you qualify for the EB-1 category, which has shorter wait times. Concurrent filing of I-140 and I-485, or spouse-led applications, can also help.

Q2: Will I lose my OCI card if I become a U.S. citizen?

A: No. You must renounce Indian citizenship, but the OCI card remains valid post-naturalisation.

Q3: Can my NRI parents sponsor my sibling in India?

A: Only if they’re U.S. citizens. Green Card holders can sponsor only unmarried children under F2B. Once naturalised, they can use F3/F4 categories.

Q4: What if I lost my original Indian passport for the OCI application?

A: Provide alternative proof—like a birth certificate, school leaving certificate, or affidavit. Sunnyvale immigration lawyers can guide you in compiling acceptable documents.

Q5: I’m an HNI looking at the EB-5 Investor Visa. What should I watch out for?

A: You must prove job creation, source of funds, and choose a credible Regional Center. A Sunnyvale immigration lawyer specialising in EB-5 will help you avoid costly mistakes.

Choosing the Right Immigration Lawyer in Sunnyvale

Not all immigration attorneys understand the unique needs of NRIs. Choose Sunnyvale immigration lawyers with:

A successful track record with Indian-origin clients.
Expertise in cross-border laws and visa processing.
A client-first approach that includes one-on-one consultations and Customised strategies.

Why LawCrust is the Legal Partner NRIs Trust

LawCrust Legal Consulting, a subsidiary of LawCrust Global Consulting Ltd., is a trusted legal partner for NRIs and Indians across the globe. Backed by a team of over 70 expert lawyers and more than 25 empanelled law firms, we offer a wide range of legal services both in India and internationally. Our expertise spans across legal finance, litigation management, matrimonial disputes, property matters, estate planning, heirship certificates, RERA, and builder-related legal issues.

In addition to personal legal matters, LawCrust also provides expert support in complex corporate areas such as foreign direct investment (FDI), foreign institutional investment (FII), mergers & acquisitions, and fundraising. We also assist clients with OCI and immigration matters, startup solutions, and hybrid consulting solutions. Consistently ranked among the top legal consulting firms in India, LawCrust proudly delivers customised legal solutions across the UK, USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, APAC, and EMEA, offering culturally informed and cross-border expertise to meet the unique needs of the global Indian community.

Guiding NRIs & OCIs in Sunnyvale Through U.S. Immigration: Green Cards, PR, Citizenship, & OCI Services