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Irina Lust - Immigration Lawyer with 18 years of experience. She handles a variety of employment-based and family-based immigration matters.

She counsels and represents employers, professionals, managers, executives, international entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, treaty investors and traders, persons of extraordinary/exceptional ability and immigrant investors in a wide range of employment permanent residence applications (EB-1A, EB-2 National Interest Waiver, EB-5, PERM, I-140) and non-immigrant visa matters (H-1B, L-1, E-1, E-2, O-1, P-1, TN  for Canadian and Mexican nationals).

Irina also represents clients in family-based petitions, including consular processing and waivers, obtaining legal permanent residency through marriage to the United States citizen, and fiancée/fiancé (K-1) applications, fully represented same-sex marriage clients and transgender clients. Irina also prepares and represents couples in marriage fraud interviews.

Over the course of her practice, Irina has represented clients from virtually every U.S. State as well as clients from all former Soviet Union countries, Poland, Bulgaria, Albania, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Germany, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Greece, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Ireland, Iran, Peru, Philippines, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Guyana, Jordan, Thailand, Czech Republic, Hungary, England, France, Ireland, Italy, China, Netherlands, Mongolia, Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina, Israel, Egypt, Lebanon, Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Ghana.

Irina provides consultation via phone, WhatsApp and Viber.

In 2002 Irina obtained an undergraduate degree in business economics from the State University of New York at Oneonta and graduated with honors. In 2007, she earned her Juris Doctor degree at the New York Law School. Irina is currently admitted to practice law in the states of New York and Connecticut, the United States District Courts for the Southern & Eastern Districts of New York, Connecticut District Court, and the United States Supreme Court. Irina can practice immigration law in any state of the U.S. as her practice is limited to U.S. Immigration and Nationality Law.

In 2018 and 2019, Irina has been selected as Rising Stars in Business Immigration by Super Lawyers awarded by Reuters based on peer recognition.

Irina is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Having immigrated to the United States from Siberia, Irina is a native Russian speaker. Irina is fully dedicated to her clients and is passionate about her practice. Irina places emphasis on personalized service and zealously and thoroughly represents her clients.

Reviews

Read my clients’ real-life stories, their journeys to obtain permanent residency (green card) through business immigration, investments, job, education and marriage or family ties. All stories are true; names of the clients have been modified to protect their privacy.
K-1 fiancé(e) visa
K-1 fiancé(e) visa
We have had the pleasure to have Irina Lust as our immigration lawyer. We hired her for K1 fiancé visa which got approved and she walked us through every step. read moreK-1 fiancé(e) visa
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To all employers considering the possibility of bringing employees to the USA
To all employers considering the possibility of bringing employees to the USA
We highly recommend Irina to all employers considering the possibility of bringing employees to the USA. We are grateful to her for her professionalism, sincere care and real results. We recommend her with all our hearts.Mark Kipnis, CEO Liberty Orchards Co. read moreTo all employers considering the possibility of bringing employees to the USA
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Green Card in less than a year
Green Card in less than a year
I can’t thank Irina Lust and her team enough for the amazing job they did in helping me get Green Cards for both myself and my daughter. read moreGreen Card in less than a year
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Successful Green Card Process
Successful Green Card Process
When my wife applied for a green card, Irina Lust and her team guided us through the whole process, from filing the initial application forms, to gathering photos and other evidence of our relationship, to the final interview read moreSuccessful Green Card Process
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US immigrant visa for a foreign wife
US immigrant visa for a foreign wife
Irina Lust and her team explained the process clearly. They responded quickly to questions and concerns. And they were very knowledgeable of the process. read moreUS immigrant visa for a foreign wife
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K-1 fiancé(e) visa
K-1 fiancé(e) visa
We have had the pleasure to have Irina Lust as our immigration lawyer. We hired her for K1 fiancé visa which got approved and she walked us through every step.
read more All stories
To all employers considering the possibility of bringing employees to the USA
To all employers considering the possibility of bringing employees to the USA
We highly recommend Irina to all employers considering the possibility of bringing employees to the USA. We are grateful to her for her professionalism, sincere care and real results. We recommend her with all our hearts.Mark Kipnis, CEO Liberty Orchards Co.
read more All stories
Green Card in less than a year
Green Card in less than a year
I can’t thank Irina Lust and her team enough for the amazing job they did in helping me get Green Cards for both myself and my daughter.
read more All stories
Successful Green Card Process
Successful Green Card Process
When my wife applied for a green card, Irina Lust and her team guided us through the whole process, from filing the initial application forms, to gathering photos and other evidence of our relationship, to the final interview
read more All stories
US immigrant visa for a foreign wife
US immigrant visa for a foreign wife
Irina Lust and her team explained the process clearly. They responded quickly to questions and concerns. And they were very knowledgeable of the process.
read more All stories
All stories

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    My philosophy

    Irina Lust always seeks the best and fastest way to help you and your family immigrate to the United States, relying on her 18 years of experience.

    Our collaboration begins with an analysis of each client’s specific situation to determine the feasibility of their immigration goals. This assessment considers the immigration laws of the relevant jurisdiction, the client’s profession, education, financial circumstances, family composition and other important factors.

    I provide an honest assessment of each potential client’s immigration prospects and decline to take a case if I believe the goals are unrealistic. I not only provide information and explain the laws and regulations, but also offer alternative, more realistic solutions.

    The policy of my firm is based on absolutely unwavering principles:

    I tell my clients the truth and nothing but the truth. I do not minimize risks, but I do not exaggerate the expected amount of work.

    I value my clients’ trust, understanding that they are paying for real work, not the appearance of it. I do not avoid regular communication with clients; on the contrary, I welcome it. I simply hope that clients will not abuse my willingness to discuss professional questions.

    From the very beginning, I have rejected the idea of attracting clients at any cost. I am ready to represent clients only in cases that are genuinely achievable. They may be hard, but they must still have a reasonable likelihood of success.

    I strive to understand each client’s priorities – whether it is starting a business, finding employment, pursuing education for themselves or their children, obtaining healthcare, seeking protection from persecution in their home country, and so on.

    I work only with reputable and thoroughly vetted law firms when collaborating on immigration services in other countries, including Canada, the Caribbean nations, the United Kingdom, the EU, Australia, and various countries in Asia.

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    Public Charge Bond: When might you have to pay a bond for a Green Card?
    A major challenge and obstacle is often the risk that a green card applicant might become dependent on government assistance. To address such cases, U.S. immigration law provides for a "Public Charge Bond" (Form I-945). Although this mechanism was previously introduced and then rescinded, it has been active and actively used since September 2026 to overcome potential "public charge" issues. read morePublic Charge Bond: When might you have to pay a bond for a Green Card?
    A new “scary” document regarding FBI checks has appeared in USCIS accounts
    In recent weeks, many applicants have started seeing a letter in their USCIS accounts titled "FBI Privacy Requirements for Biometrics Collection by USCIS." The initial reaction is understandable: "Why is the FBI checking me? What does this mean?" read moreA new “scary” document regarding FBI checks has appeared in USCIS accounts
    Past criminal record and US visa refusal
    One of the most unpleasant scenarios at a consular interview is when an applicant arrives seeking a U.S. visa, a past criminal case comes to light, and the consular officer determines the applicant is inadmissible under INA §212(a)(2). The initial reaction is usually: "That’s it. I’m banned from entering the U.S. forever." Not necessarily. read morePast criminal record and US visa refusal
    Your USCIS case has been stalled for one, two, or three years. What should you do?
    You check the status and submit an inquiry. You receive the standard response: "Your case is under review." So, you wait again. But there comes a time when, instead of sending yet another inquiry to USCIS, you need to determine if there are grounds to file a lawsuit in federal court. In my 18 years of practice as an immigration attorney, I have handled cases where the Writ of Mandamus proved to be the best strategy. read moreYour USCIS case has been stalled for one, two, or three years. What should you do?
    Your I-751 to remove the conditions on your green card has been pending for two years. Does that mean you have to wait to apply for citizenship?
    Not necessarily! This is something I regularly see in my 18 years of practicing immigration law: someone gets a conditional green card through marriage, files Form I-751 on time to remove the conditions, and then USCIS takes years to make a decision. read moreYour I-751 to remove the conditions on your green card has been pending for two years. Does that mean you have to wait to apply for citizenship?
    USCIS is changing the rules for calculating document filing deadlines
    Starting October 23, 2026, USCIS is going back to its previous method for calculating filing deadlines. This is especially important for applicants whose deadline is tied not to a specific number of days, but to a particular event, such as turning a certain age. read moreUSCIS is changing the rules for calculating document filing deadlines
    USCIS will check the credit rating of financial sponsors (Affidavit of Support)
    As of August 31, USCIS is using a new edition of the Affidavit of Support (I-864). By signing the form, the sponsor is now effectively giving USCIS and the U.S. Department of State permission to request information about their credit history and credit score. read moreUSCIS will check the credit rating of financial sponsors (Affidavit of Support)
    Leaving the US with Advance Parole no longer guarantees protection from the 3- and 10-year bars
    Important update for immigrants in the U.S. Advance Parole no longer guarantees protection from the 3- and 10-year bars. As of August 13, 2026, USCIS has changed its approach to leaving the U.S. with Advance Parole. A trip abroad using Advance Parole may now be treated as a departure from the U.S. and, in certain cases, could have serious consequences when you try to return. read moreLeaving the US with Advance Parole no longer guarantees protection from the 3- and 10-year bars
    USCIS has changed the definition of “public charge”: what social benefits can interfere with obtaining a green card or visa?
    On August 18, 2026, USCIS provided detailed guidance on the concept of “public charge.” The public charge rule allows USCIS to assess whether a person is likely to become primarily dependent on certain government benefits in the future. Receiving public benefits does not automatically mean a person will be denied. read moreUSCIS has changed the definition of “public charge”: what social benefits can interfere with obtaining a green card or visa?
    USA can revoke green cards obtained through marriage, even years later
    When someone applies for a green card through marriage, USCIS must determine that the relationship is genuine and that the marriage was entered into in good faith - not solely for an immigration benefit. read moreUSA can revoke green cards obtained through marriage, even years later

    Office locations

    Connecticut
    256 Post Road East, Suite 206
    Westport, CT 06880
    WhatsApp: +1 (203) 451-3240
    Phone: +1 (203) 557-9110 Fax: +1 (203) 349-6133
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