Elmhurst Immigration Law is a San Francisco-based law firm practicing exclusively in the area of U.S. immigration law. It handles a wide spectrum of immigration matters, ranging from non-immigrant visas to permanent residence and naturalization. The firm was named after the neighborhood in Western Queens, New York, where its founder first settled after immigrating to America in 1983.
Elmhurst Immigration Law strives to provide clients with:
  • Fast and accurate filing for appropriate immigration paperwork
  • Convenient access to immigration attorney throughout application process
  • Extremely competitive pricing
Learn More about how we accomplish these goals
Karolin Chitilian earned a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature and Linguistics from U.C. Berkeley. She then went on to earn her Juris Doctorate degree from Santa Clara University, School of Law. Karolin is a member in good standing of the California State Bar Association and belongs to the American Immigration Lawyer's Association.
Her personal background as a refugee turned U.S. citizen makes her an especially emphatic and passionate advocate in the area of immigration law.
About the Firm
Mission Statement
Attorney Profile
  1. J-1 visa The J visa is available to any of the following classes of individuals who seek to enter the U.S. temporarily. Additional criteria must also be satisfied.
  1. Au Pair

Foreign national entering the U.S. for the purpose of residing with an American host family while providing limited childcare services. Must enroll in and attend classes offered by an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution for at least 6 semester hours of credit.

  1. Professor

Foreign national engaged largely in teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting at accredited post-secondary academic institutions, museums, libraries, etc. May conduct research or participate in occasional lectures if authorized by sponser. Maximum duration is usually 5 years.

  1. Research Scholar

Foreign national whose main purpose is to conduct research, observe, and consult with regards to a research project at research institutions, facilities, museums, libraries, etc. Maximum duration usually 5 years.

  1. Short-Term Scholar

Foreign national who is either a professor, research scholar, or person with similar education and/or accomplishments who wishes to enter the U.S. on a short-term visit for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating special skills at research institutions, museums, libraries, post secondary accredited academic institutions, etc. Maximum duration is 6 months.

  1. Trainee

Foreign national who has either a degree or a professional certificate from a post-secondary academic institution located outside the U.S. and either at least one year of prior related work experience in his/her occupational field in his/her home country, or 5 years of work experience in his/her occupational field.

  1. Intern

Foreign national currently enrolled in and pursuing studies at an academic institution outside the U.S. that grants degrees or certificates or who has graduated from such an institution less than 12 months prior to the start date of his/her exchange visitor program and who enters the U.S. to participate in a work-based internship within his/her specific academic field.

  1. Teacher

Foreign national teaching full-time in a primary or secondary accredited academic institution.

  1. Secondary School Student

Foreign national secondary school student between the ages of 15 and 18.5 who wishes to enter the U.S. in order to study for an academic semester or an academic year in a U.S. accredited public or private secondary school while either living with an American host family, or residing at an accredited U.S. boarding school.

  1. Nonacademic Specialist

Foreign national who is an expert in a field of specialized knowledge or skill who wants to come to the U.S. to observe, consult, or demonstrate his/her special skills. Maximum duration 1 year.

  1. Foreign Physician

Foreign national physician pursuing programs of graduate medical education or training conducted by an accredited U.S. school of medicine or scientific institution.

  1. International Visitor

(this category is for the exclusive use of the U.S. Dept of State) Foreign national who is a recognized leader or potential leader in his/her own country, selected by the Department of State to participate in discussions, meetings, consultations, conferences, workshops, travel, etc.

  1. Government Visitor

(this category is for the exclusive use of Federal, State, and local government agencies) Foreign national who is recognized as an influential or distinguished person in his/her country and who has been selected by a U.S. government agency to participate in discussions, meetings, consultations, conferences, workshops, travel, etc.

  1. Camp Counselor

Foreign national selected to serve as a counselor in an accredited U.S. camp that takes place during the U.S. summer months. Must impart skills as well as information about his/her own country or culture to American campers.

  1. Summer Student in a Travel/Work Program
  2. College or University Student
  1. J-2 visa

The J-2 visa is for a J-1 visa holder’s spouse or minor child who wishes to accompany the J-1 visa holder to the U.S. Proof of family relationship must be provided. J-2 may work if s/he is granted employment authorization however income may not be used for purposes of supporting J-1.

Schedule a consultation with Elmhurst Immigration Law now to determine whether you are eligible for a J visa or to begin the process of obtaining one.

Call (415) 729-3889
to speak to a licensed immigration attorney

Email contact@elmhurstimmigration.com to schedule a consultation.


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