About Koerner Immigration Law, LLC
Koerner Immigration Law, LLC handles immigration Palm Beach Gardens cases with two decades of experience dedicated exclusively to immigration law, serving clients throughout Palm Beach County from an office in Palm Beach Gardens. Attorney Andrew Koerner’s focused practice — limited entirely to immigration law — means every case benefits from the depth of specialization that only comes from 20 years of single-practice concentration. The firm covers employment-based visas, family-based immigration, and citizenship matters for Palm Beach County’s diverse international community.
Palm Beach Gardens sits in northern Palm Beach County, an area with a substantial international business presence, a large population of foreign nationals working in the healthcare, technology, and financial sectors, and significant multinational corporate activity. Koerner’s two-decade track record in this market reflects sustained client trust across the full spectrum of immigration pathways available under U.S. law.
Immigration Palm Beach Gardens Legal Services
Palm Beach County’s immigration client base is diverse: H-1B professionals in the county’s biotech and healthcare corridors, family members of U.S. citizens and permanent residents seeking green cards, and investors pursuing EB-5 pathways. USCIS processes applications through field offices and the regional Miami Field Office, and Palm Beach County immigration cases often proceed through the immigration courts in Miami when removal proceedings are involved. Florida’s large undocumented population and its status as a major international travel hub create a complex immigration law environment that demands specialized expertise.
- Employment-Based Immigrant Visas (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-5)
- Employment-Based Non-Immigrant Visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN)
- Family-Based Immigration and Green Cards
- Naturalization and Citizenship
What Palm Beach Gardens Clients Say
Clients of Koerner Immigration Law consistently highlight the firm’s educational approach: Andrew Koerner conducts thorough background reviews to identify the optimal immigration pathway for each client’s specific situation rather than pushing a one-size-fits-all solution. Reviewers note that the firm’s practice of maintaining open communication throughout what can be a multi-year immigration process reduces the anxiety that commonly accompanies visa and green card proceedings. Clients in Palm Beach County’s professional and business community value a firm whose entire focus is immigration — not a department inside a general practice operation.
Serving: Palm Beach Gardens and Palm Beach County
Practice Focus: Immigration — Employment Visas, Family Immigration, Green Cards, Citizenship
Local Courts: USCIS Miami Field Office; Miami Immigration Court (EOIR)
Key Resource: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Related Guide: Immigration Attorneys in Florida
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an immigrant visa and a non-immigrant visa, and which path is right for Palm Beach Gardens professionals?
Non-immigrant visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN) are temporary authorizations for a specific purpose — work, study, or travel — and the holder is expected to return abroad when the visa expires. Immigrant visas lead to permanent resident status (a “green card”) and eventually to citizenship eligibility. Many Palm Beach Gardens professionals start on an H-1B non-immigrant visa while their employer pursues an employment-based immigrant visa (EB-2 or EB-3) in parallel — a process called “dual intent” that H-1B status explicitly permits. The right pathway depends on the individual’s long-term goals, current employer support, and the availability of visa numbers in their category, which varies significantly by nationality (India and China face multi-year backlogs in some EB categories).
How does the H-1B visa process work for Palm Beach County employers sponsoring foreign workers?
The H-1B visa requires: (1) an employer sponsor filing a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor certifying that the foreign worker will be paid the prevailing wage; (2) filing an H-1B petition (Form I-129) with USCIS; and (3) for new H-1B workers subject to the annual cap of 65,000 (plus 20,000 for U.S. master’s degree holders), winning the USCIS lottery held each April. Palm Beach County healthcare employers, research institutions, and tech companies sponsor H-1B workers regularly. H-1B status is initially granted for 3 years and can be renewed for a total of 6 years; extensions beyond 6 years are available under certain conditions when an employment-based green card petition has been pending for over one year.
What does the naturalization process involve for Palm Beach Gardens permanent residents seeking U.S. citizenship?
To naturalize, a Palm Beach County permanent resident must generally: (1) have held a green card for 5 years (3 years if married to a U.S. citizen); (2) have been physically present in the U.S. for at least half of that period; (3) have maintained continuous residence (no single absence over 6 months without a re-entry permit); (4) demonstrate good moral character; (5) pass an English literacy test and civics examination; and (6) take the Oath of Allegiance. Applications are filed on Form N-400 with USCIS. The Miami Field Office handles Palm Beach County naturalization biometrics and interviews. Processing times vary but commonly run 12–24 months from filing to the oath ceremony.
