Austin Naturalization Attorney
Naturalization is how a lawful permanent resident becomes a U.S. citizen. You file Form N-400, pass an English and civics examination, and take the oath. An Austin naturalization attorney works out whether you are eligible yet, files the application, and prepares you for the interview. Pablo Nossa takes the case himself.
Naturalization, and How It Differs From Citizenship
Naturalization is the process. Citizenship is the result. People use the words interchangeably, and the distinction only matters in one place: somebody born a U.S. citizen, or who became one through a parent, has citizenship without ever naturalizing. Naturalization is the route for everyone else, and it starts from lawful permanent residence.
It is not automatic, and that is the part worth saying plainly. Holding a green card for long enough is necessary and not sufficient. You have to show continuous residence and physical presence in the United States, good moral character, and a basic understanding of English and U.S. history.
Each of those four is a place a case can fail, and two of them fail quietly. A long trip abroad can break continuous residence without anybody mentioning it at the time. Something from years ago can raise a moral character question the applicant had stopped thinking about. Both are better found by an attorney before filing than by an officer afterwards.
- You must already be a lawful permanent resident
- Continuous residence and physical presence are two separate requirements
- Good moral character is assessed over a defined period, not over your whole life
- The English and civics examination can be waived for certain applicants
What People Say After the Case Closes
I went through a very difficult divorce and didn’t have any solid evidence to support my case, as I had been deprived from the start. The removal of conditions made me extremely anxious. Three different lawyers I consulted all said my case would be tough. Then a friend referred me to Noosa Law Firm. From the moment I met Mr. Pablo, I felt at ease. One thing he said stuck with me: ‘When you’re telling the truth, the truth itself will lead you to the evidence.’ To my surprise, my son and I received our 10-year green cards. Now, I’m preparing for my oath-taking ceremony for citizenship. I can’t thank Mr. Pablo enough for everything he’s done.”
Sherry B.Pablo was a godsend back in 2015 when he helped me get my citizenship in less than 3 months. He was always available on his personal phone and genuinely CARES about his clients. Not in it just for the money. He is as genuine as they come!
Christina D.As an attorney, I truly believe Mr. Nossa is a rare breed. Pablo has a diverse background and is able to relate to people from all walks of life without judgment. He explains the complex immigration/naturalization process in terms that are easily understandable and manageable. Because of his zealous advocacy for his clients, Pablo is my go-to attorney for immigration related matters and the only person I recommend to my friends.
Martha T.I found Pablo thru google and read all the reviews before choosing him. I had a little bit of a complicated case for my citizenship but he turned out to be more than capable and handled the process well. He is definitely an honest family man and works with integrity. I have recommended two of my colleagues to him and I’m hearing positive feedback also. Would definitely use him again for any immigration needs.
D P.With a strong emphasis on customer service and value for your money, Pablo and the Nossa Law Firm are experts in the area of immigration and naturalization. Pablo provides strong personal service, is very responsive and helpful, something I feel is very rare with most firms of this nature. I would strongly recommend Pablo and his law firm to anyone requiring immigration help.
Kuntal S.Mr. Nossa helped me with applying and obtaining both of my green cards and with my naturalization. He is very professional, answers all questions, phone calls. He works with you in person, not through a paralegal and does not charge for every meeting and a phone call. When he takes care of your case, you feel that he really cares. It is very difficult to find a lawyer with a personal/ family approach. He also helped my husband with his naturalization, it was a complicated case and Mr. Nossa resolved it successfully. I am very grateful to Mr. Nossa and would recommend his services to everyone.
Anastasia M.This guys is owesome. I drove across town to see him, his reviews is what attracted me. I ask questions he gives straight honest answers. I applied for my N-400 few months ago. Few possible complications came up. So i made an appointment and asked him few questions, he answered and gave me a cheap answer. But i will probably hire him to get a piece of mind. Recommend him for sure
Mohamad S.My Journey with Mr Nossa goes back to 2013, that is when I meet him for the first time and spoke to him for about 20 minutes,by the time I was done with the initial consultation, I was happy and assured that I found a great competing talent in Mr Nossa who would fight for me and be there for me in every step of this long immigration battle. I have used Mr Nossa’s services twice during these 5 years and will be using him again for my Naturalization. He is more of a personal confidant than an attorney to me and he never treated me like a client ,always address me like a close friend. Mr Nossa personally gave me his cell phone number and was always a text away and he responds with in minutes. Immigration is a life changing event in one’s life if you want to leave your home country and live in the United States. Putting your case in the right hands is crucial for this process. Mr Nossa has the enthusiasm to work on immigration cases and to finish each case perfectly. I am one hundred percent satisfied with the legal service I got from this law firm, and recommend it to all.
Sundeep R.I always shied away from applying for my citizenship for the sole reason that I found it to be a tedious process. After talking to a couple of other immigration specialists I decided to go with Mr. Nossa. Mr. Nossa made the process painless and I became a citizen in under 3 months. He had an amazingly positive attitude and was extremely calm and efficient throughout the whole process. I can’t thank him enough.
Navid G.Pablo is an excellent lawyer. He was honest, patient, accessible, and genuine. He helped me with my n400 application. I’m really happy I hired him, and thank him for the peace of mind he gave me during this process.
Marianela D.Pablo is the best immigration lawyer around, and I’ve had a few! He helped me get my Citizenship and answered all my questions and concerns. He make the process clear and he’s very friendly and personable. You can talk to him directly when you need and his office team is very professional and prompt. Highly recommends
LaurentWell we’re should I start well Mr. Nossa help my husband to get his permanent residence. It took a year and half for my husband to get his green card. Him and his staff are excellent and great customer services. He was on top of everything if he received a notice from the immigration office he will email to me and give me call for the next step. I’m so grateful with his staff Adriana she was a big help and very organized. I really recommend him I will go back soon for my father citizenship application.
Johana H.Every case is different. Past results and timelines do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What USCIS Is Actually Checking
Eligibility is four separate questions, and an application is decided on all four. Most people meet three easily and have never looked closely at the fourth.
Continuous Residence
Whether you have kept the United States as your home. Long absences can break it, and the break is not always obvious from a passport at a glance.
Physical Presence
A separate count of days actually spent in the country. You can satisfy continuous residence and still fall short here.
Good Moral Character
Assessed over a defined period before filing. Old arrests, unfiled tax returns and unpaid support are the three that come up most.
English and Civics
A basic examination in both, taken at the interview. Certain applicants can waive it; USCIS publishes who.
Naturalization at a Glance
The form, what has to come before it, the examination, and the oath.
The application for naturalization.
Naturalization starts from lawful permanent residence.
Taken at the interview. Waivable for certain applicants.
The examination and the questions on your application, practiced before the day.
Citizenship begins when you take it, not at approval.
Not a card. See the questions below, because it matters.
How the Application Runs
Six stages. The work that decides it happens before stage one, which is the part self-filers skip.
Check Eligibility Properly
Dates of every trip abroad, the residence and presence counts, and anything that touches moral character. This is the whole job, and doing it after filing is doing it too late.
UsFile the N-400
With the fee USCIS publishes and the supporting documents for your route. Fee reductions and waivers exist and USCIS sets the rules for them.
UsBiometrics
Fingerprints and a background check. USCIS sends the appointment notice.
YouPrepare for the Interview
The civics questions, the English component, and the application itself, which the officer will go through with you line by line.
Both, with usThe Interview
At a USCIS field office. You take the examination and answer questions about your application. We prepare you for it beforehand.
You, prepared by usThe Oath Ceremony
Scheduled after approval, sometimes the same day. You are a citizen from the moment you take the oath.
USCISThe eligibility date is worth checking before you file, not after.
The N-400 asks about everything, including the parts people would rather explain in person than on a form.
The Examination, and the Interview
Two things happen in the same appointment and people prepare for only one of them.
The Examination
- A civics component, plus an English component tested in both writing and conversation
- The civics questions come from a list USCIS publishes, so the material is not a secret
- Certain applicants can waive the requirement. USCIS publishes who qualifies
- If you do not pass a component, USCIS gives a further opportunity
The Interview Itself
- The officer goes through your N-400 with you, answer by answer
- Anything that changed since filing gets raised here, so tell us before the day
- Interview preparation with the attorney who filed your application
- Bring the originals of everything the application relied on
What We Will Ask You to Gather
Most of this you already have. The travel history is the one people underestimate, and it is the one that decides eligibility.
The Attorney Prepares You for the Interview
The citizenship interview is where your application is tested. At Nossa Law the preparation is not a service tier, it is what happens, and it is done by the same person who filed the application.
Pablo Nossa has practiced immigration law and nothing else since 2010, from offices in Austin and Houston. Every consultation is with him, clients get his cell number, and he follows up himself by phone, text or email. The reviews on this page are almost entirely about naturalization cases, which is unusual and worth reading.
The firm also tells you plainly when it does not see a viable route. On naturalization that most often means telling somebody their continuous residence is broken and they should wait, rather than taking a fee for an application that will be refused.
- Immigration law since 2010, and no other practice area
- AILA member, with a J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin
- Eligibility checked against your travel history before anything is filed
- Upfront pricing and flat-fee rates
Pablo Nossa
Principal attorney, and the person who conducts the consultation. J.D., University of Texas at Austin, and a B.A. in Latin American Studies. Practicing immigration law since 2010, from the Austin and Houston offices.
Questions People Ask First
What is naturalization?
Is naturalization the same as citizenship?
How long does naturalization take?
How many questions are on the citizenship test?
Can the English and civics test be waived?
How do I apply for naturalization?
What is a certificate of naturalization?
What does it cost?
Two Offices, One Attorney
Consultations with the attorney at either office.
Austin
7000 N Mopac Expy, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78731
Monday to Friday, 9 to 5
Houston
2950 North Loop West, Suite 500, Houston, TX 77092
Monday to Friday, 9 to 5
Find Out Whether You Are Eligible Yet
In Austin, in Houston, or by telephone.
- Bring your green card, every passport you hold, and the dates of trips abroad
- You will leave knowing whether to file now or wait, and why
- Upfront pricing and flat-fee rates
Austin · 7000 N Mopac Expy, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78731
Houston · 2950 North Loop West, Suite 500, Houston, TX 77092
Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 · pablo@nossalaw.com
Contact
(713) 599-1633pablo@nossalaw.com
Austin7000 N Mopac Expy, Suite 200
Austin, TX 78731
Directions
Houston2950 North Loop West, Suite 500
Houston, TX 77092
Directions
Monday to Friday, 9 to 5