This page answers the questions people ask us most before and during their case. If you are choosing an immigration law firm, these answers explain who we are, how we work, how fees and payment work, and what happens after your case is filed.
Every matter is different, so treat these answers as general information. For advice on your own situation, book a consultation. You can also read How We Work for a description of our service levels and commitments.
Yes. Ozek Law Firm, LLC is a U.S. law firm with its principal office at 4500 East West Highway, Ste 150, Bethesda, MD 20814. Our lawyers are licensed attorneys, not consultants, notaries or document preparers. The firm was founded by Tolga Ozek, a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
Ozek Law Firm attorneys are admitted in Maryland, New York and the District of Columbia. California matters are handled with California-licensed co-counsel. Immigration law is federal, so we represent immigration clients across the U.S. and worldwide.
Consultations are available in English, Turkish, Spanish and Swedish. For other languages we arrange an interpreter, so you can explain your situation fully and understand every document you sign.
Yes. Many of our clients live abroad. Consultations take place by video or phone, documents are exchanged through our secure client portal, and forms are signed electronically where the government allows it. See our page for international clients.
Your matter is handled by our team: attorneys Tolga Ozek and E. Gizem Ersahin, supported by paralegal Ecem Mistikoglu. An attorney is responsible for your case from strategy to filing, and an attorney reviews every filing before it is submitted.
Use our contact page to request a consultation, or call +1 (202) 854 8545 or email info@ozeklaw.com. Tell us briefly what you need and which language you prefer. Consultations are available by video, phone or WhatsApp, or in person at our Bethesda office.
Bring whatever you have. The most useful documents are usually:
If you are not sure whether a document matters, bring it or upload it. It is better for us to see too much than too little.
You are not required to hire a lawyer to file with USCIS, and many people file straightforward applications on their own. A lawyer adds the most value when your case has complications: a prior denial or visa refusal, a past overstay or status violation, any arrest or criminal record, removal proceedings, or a complex employment or investor petition. If you want to file yourself but would like a second set of eyes, our Consult and Review service lets an attorney review the package you prepared before you file. Be careful with anyone who is not an attorney or an accredited representative: according to USCIS, a notario público is not authorized to give immigration legal advice.
We give you a quote at the consultation, after we understand your situation. We do not publish fixed prices because the scope of work varies from case to case: the number of forms, the evidence required and the complexity of your history all change the work involved. Your fee and what it covers are set out in writing in your engagement letter before we start.
Yes. Payment plans are available on many matters. If a payment plan is available for your case, its schedule is set out in your engagement letter.
No. Government filing fees are separate and are paid to the government agency. Other third-party costs, such as immigration medical examinations, certified translations and courier charges, are also separate and are paid to the agency or provider. We tell you in advance which of these costs apply to your case.
You can pay our invoices online through LawPay, a secure payment service for law firms, from our client portal. You do not need to send card details by email or phone.
After USCIS accepts a filing, it issues a receipt notice with a receipt number. You can enter that number in the USCIS Case Status Online tool on the USCIS website. You can also follow your matter and message our team through our client portal, and we send you a plain-language update at each milestone.
USCIS first issues a receipt notice. Depending on the type of case, USCIS may then schedule a biometrics appointment, ask for more evidence, or schedule an interview before it makes a decision. We tell you which steps normally apply to your case, prepare you for each one and review every notice with you.
Only USCIS can decide to expedite a case, and the decision is within its sole discretion. USCIS considers expedite requests case by case and generally requires supporting documentation. The criteria it considers include severe financial loss to a company or person, emergencies or urgent humanitarian situations, certain requests by nonprofit organizations furthering U.S. cultural or social interests, government interests, and clear USCIS error. USCIS generally does not consider expedite requests for forms where premium processing is available, except for certain nonprofit requests. If your situation fits, we prepare the request and the evidence for you.
An RFE explains what additional evidence USCIS needs and gives a deadline. Under federal regulations, the response period for an RFE cannot exceed twelve weeks, the response period for a Notice of Intent to Deny cannot exceed thirty days, and additional time to respond may not be granted (8 CFR 103.2(b)(8)(iv)). If no response arrives by the deadline, USCIS may deny the case (8 CFR 103.2(b)(13)(i)). Send us any RFE the day you receive it. Responses to routine RFEs are part of our Full Representation service.
Your information is protected by attorney-client confidentiality. We ask clients to upload documents through our secure client portal rather than send sensitive files as email attachments, and access to your file is limited to the team working on your matter. See Security and Confidentiality of Your Documents.
No. Criminal defense matters are referred to criminal defense counsel. If you have a pending criminal case and an immigration question, you need a criminal defense lawyer for the criminal case; we can speak with that lawyer about the immigration side of your situation.
State-law matters in other states, such as a local business dispute or a state court case, are handled with or referred to local co-counsel licensed in that state. California matters are handled with California-licensed co-counsel. Immigration matters are different: because immigration law is federal, we represent immigration clients across the U.S. and worldwide.
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