There are few times as exciting as when you can see a change on the horizon, and this is even more true when said change involves moving somewhere new. Fresh views, new cultures, unfamiliar routines. It is thrilling to pack up your life as you know it and start fresh somewhere different. Unfortunately, needing to navigate the complex world of immigration procedures can quickly put a dampener on that excitement and even cause a good bit of stress and heartache when something goes wrong.
Finding a suitable European immigration Lawyer can make a world of difference when planning your new life abroad, but how do you best go about that? While seeking support to get started on your new journey is often a good idea, finding a suitable fit for your individual needs can initially feel like yet another hurdle you might prefer to avoid. Additionally, it might feel like a tough decision to spend even more money on a lawyer when moving itself already comes with a hefty bill attached. But let’s face it, your time and peace of mind are worth more than the fees of getting adequate support. And trying to do it all on your own might well end up with the larger cost at the end of it, as mistakes in the visa application process can lead to fines, additional fees, or even the need to file a whole additional application should the first one get rejected. There is no guarantee of saving money, so you might just save yourself some stress instead.
What to Look For in an EU Immigration Lawyer
When looking for an immigration lawyer, it can feel confusing. Where do you find one? What should you look out for? And how do you know that you’re getting a good deal?
It makes sense that you might have a lot of these questions, but that’s normal when you’re just getting started. First, it can help to sit down and consider what you might want. This applies to the place you want to move to in general. Europe is a big place. Is there somewhere in particular that has caught your eye? Do you already know a little bit about your preferences and requirements, and what about working?
Once you are familiar with your own needs, even if this is little more than a vague sketch of ideas, you can look for a suitable lawyer. Key points to consider are whether an immigration law firm has established experience with the country you are looking to move to.
Second to that, you should check if they seem familiar with the country you currently live in, or your country of origin, if these two differ. The reason these two factors are so important when considering an immigration lawyer is that immigration law is largely tied to both your destination and origin. The destination country has a set of rules and visa pathways that will determine what routes of entry might look like, but it is your nationality that determines how these pathways apply to you.
Working with an immigration lawyer who is an expert in both regions will ensure that they truly understand what the immigration process will look like for you, allowing them to give you the best advice and put your best foot forward with an expertly crafted application.
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How to Access Immigration Support
Where to find your immigration lawyer can pose another challenge, depending on where you are. While many big cities will have established offices for seasoned immigration law firms that could offer you adequate counsel, more remote locations or even just concerns about fit might affect who you should contact.
It can seem less tangible to seek help online, but in the modern age, there is a totally reasonable expectation for remote access, and immigration lawyers are no different. On the contrary, it is actually pretty suitable due to the nature of immigration to look for a law firm that offers well-established consultation methods that go beyond just in-person access, and you will often find consultation methods via phone, email, or video call.
Seeking an immigration lawyer who is proficient at delivering their services this way can be an extra point of reassurance, as this means that they can still be accessible to you after moving, whether this is for follow-up support when it comes to visa renewals, or if you decide that you might want to move again in the future.
How to Decide What Level of Support You Would Like
Hiring an immigration lawyer is not an all-or-nothing scenario, and while the term lawyer can sometimes sound intimidating, that’s not at all what it is like. While immigration lawyers can absolutely help you with immigration law, such as if you have faced issues with a visa, need to appeal something, or even if you face repercussions for failing to follow some aspect of your immigration requirements, Immigration Lawyers offer much more than explicit legal support.
Most immigration law firms will readily inform you of their services, which often include various packages from the opportunity to just discuss your immigration needs, to helping you plan, or handling the full application for you. You may want help just with obtaining or checking the documents that you are required to provide, or you may want much more thorough support, from help with arranging your move, finding a property to move into, or support with selling the property you are leaving behind. There is a wide range of things to consider when moving to Europe, and no two journeys are exactly alike.
The good thing is that most immigration lawyers should offer you an initial opportunity to discuss your case and needs with them without you having to commit to paying for their services. This is an excellent opportunity to communicate your needs and explore how they might help you. This initial consultation will give you a clear idea of what to expect both from the immigration journey and their support, as well as what you might be expecting to pay in terms of visa fees and their services.
