Immigrants have numerous opportunities in Chicago. The experience is rewarding for holiday or short term visitors as well as those seeking to stay there longer. Failure to understand laws governing immigration in Chicago will easily ruin your experience. You risk ending up in jail, cutting short your stay or not even landing in the state at all. To ease your entry and stay, the state provides assistance through its own departments and approved agents.

Assistance to immigrants is provided through three agents. The state licenses attorneys to guide immigrants through the application and approval processes. Such attorneys are allowed to work through supervised interns. Non-profit organizations also work under accreditation from Board of Immigration Appeal. There individual businesses offering assistance as a service within the state. Any of the three agents will smoothly guide you through the process.

With a state as vast as Chicago, it could be challenging to identify legitimate assistance providers. Any agent assisting immigrants must have a current business operating license. Such an agent must also provide a formal contract that stipulates the services to be offered and other terms of engagement. Such assistants are required to clearly indicate the services they offer. This is done through a sign board in a language that is understandable and clearly visible. The board should be displayed at a strategic place for public convenience.

The state regulates charges for services offered by the agents by putting an upper limit. This ensures that you are well prepared when organizing your finances to avoid shocks. For instance, the charges for form preparation are 5 dollars each quarter an hour or 10 dollars per page, whichever is lower. Fingerprinting will cost you 3 dollars while charges for judicial records are 15 dollars.

The services offered by migration agents in Chicago are very dynamic. They include translation of questions, answers and instructions on forms to be filled. The agents transcribe responses meant for government offices. They also assist with processing of the forms. It is through the agents that you can obtain crucial certificates like marriage and birth certificates. You will also get translation services in case you are not conversant with English.

Notary of Public will also assist immigrants especially with legal documents and signatures. For an agent without such powers, he or she will refer you to a notary without charging for the referral. They direct you on medical exams and ensure that the results are presented in the appropriate manner. There are civics and language classes especially offered by non-profit organizations. You will also get photography and fingerprinting services.

No immigration assistant is allowed to retain your documents or forms. There are scams targeting naive immigrants. Some agents claim to have special or direct connections with the Department of Homeland Security or influence underlying agencies. Others promise special status upon giving a bribe. You will also find others operating under strange titles aimed at confusing you. By sticking to legal means, your application will be processed on time.

There is freedom to make visa applications in person or online. There are special requirements depending on your case and nationality. Consult your consulate or embassy for clarification and assistance. All information provided must be truthful to avoid legal challenges including declined application or deportation. Stick to the stipulated deadlines to ensure smooth and successful application.