Maneuvering through the complex immigration process takes a number of immigration legal documents and some patience. The U.S. is many times seen as the land of freedom and opportunity for individuals.

For business owners like yourself, the opportunity to utilize the skills of people from outside the U.S. allows you to meet staffing needs and may lead to a competitive edge. However, the process itself, with the loads of paperwork to obtain the proper legal documentation, can be overwhelming.

As a business owner you may find it beneficial to clear the way to citizenship or other legal status for your employees. Consider this immigration forms information:

1. U.S. employers are responsible for completing Form I-9 (which is not just an immigration law form) for every employee. You must verify employment eligibility and identity documents presented by the employee on the form.

2. Legal immigration forms include those used to obtain a work visa to temporarily live and work in the U.S. Individuals who work without the appropriate visa are subject to deportation.

3. To hire non-U.S. workers on a contract basis, whether temporarily or as a first step toward permanent employment, you'll need to be familiar with immigration legal contracts.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Download immigration forms

When it comes to hiring immigrant workers or helping them obtain visas or citizenship, it all starts and ends with paperwork. Make sure you find the right information legal forms needed in the variety of situations that may be presented by your employees' status and your hiring needs.

I recommend: Go the source: the federal US Citizenship and Immigration Services offers a long list of immigration forms. A website called United States Immigration Support also sells a number of documents, forms and applications for citizenship, visa or green card. Download a variety of forms from Social Security administration forms to U.S. Department of Labor forms, among others, at Siskind Susser Bland.

Use online services to receive immigration legal forms help

A number of services exist online to help businesses and others jump through the hurdles that come along with obtaining legal documents. Utilize all the resources you can to make the task easier.

I recommend: VisaNow.com offers services to businesses for evaluating and processing immigration issues for your employees. American Immigration Network offers do-it-yourself kits for a number of green card and visa options.

Fill out an immigration lawyer form online to seek counsel

Attorneys across the country specialize in immigration law. While you may find you can tackle some immigration issues in-house, it may be best to have an attorney you trust that you can consult with on complicated immigration matters.

I recommend: Schedule a free consultation with Darren Silver & Associates, U.S. immigration law experts. Browse through the areas of practice at the Law Office of Moshe A. Young, based in Studio City, Calif., then contact him for a consultation.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Arranging the immigration legal form H-2B Visas for U.S. employers and international seasonal staff takes an average of 4 to 5 months from the initial application via the official immigration law document to the arrival of the employee in the U.S. However, you should always allow extra time.