Birmingham, AL H-1B Visas Explained
H-1B visas are a type of nonimmigrant visa that authorizes foreign nationals in particular job industries to work for a finiteamount of time in Birmingham, AL and the United States in general. H-1B applicants must have a job offer from a U.S. employer in a specialized profession such as education, technology, science, engineering, or healthcare Any line of work where that the employer can demonstrate that it is required to have a bachelor's degree could be eligible. H-1B visas are initially three years long but can be extended to a six-year maximum and potentially more if the employee chooses to apply for permanent residency.
Often, an H-1B is the first application towards eventually applying for permanent residency and citizenship. Many H-1B visa applicants file for permanent residency (a U.S. green card) through sponsorship from their Birmingham, AL employer and ultimately apply for citizenship.
TN Visas for Mexican and Canadian Citizens in Birmingham, AL
Another type of nonimmigrant visa for working professionals is the TN visa, which is specifically for Canadian and Mexican citizens. TN visas have more strict qualifications for professions because the list of occupations is closed. The list includes engineers, pharmacists, management consultants, scientists, and accountants. TN visa applicants are required to have a U.S. job offer (e.g., in Birmingham, AL) in order to qualify. If you are a Canadian citizen, you are able to apply directly at an airport or border and do not need to apply for a visa stamping at the consulate ahead of time, but citizens of Mexico need to have a visa stamped in their passport.
TN visas are initially valid for three years but can be extended for additional three-year periods. Akin to H-1B visa holders, Birmingham, AL TN visa holders are eligible to shift to a green card if certain requirements are met.
How an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Birmingham, AL Can Help You
H-1B visas may seem straightforward but in reality, require working through a complex, potentially convoluted process. An H-1B visa lawyer in Birmingham, AL can help you work through this system and obtain a successful outcome.
Visa Caps - One of the biggest obstacles that Alabama applicants face is the H-1B visa cap, or the limit on how many new visas can be issued annually. Currently, the cap is set at 65,000 visas per fiscal year, with 20,000 additional visas issued through the H-1B advanced degree exemption. With a limited number of visas available, it's imperative you ensure your paperwork is submitted accurately with all the right information.
In 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reported receiving 758,994 eligible registrations and selected 188,400 to apply for the 65,000 available visas. An H-1B visa lawyer in Birmingham, AL can help you with preparing your petition so your application can have more chances in this process.
Deadlines - Registration to apply for an H-1B visa is normally only allowed during a few weeks in March, and the selected employers and applicants have just a few more weeks after being notified during which to apply. If you work with an H-1B lawyer in Birmingham, AL, they are familiar with this process and can help make sure the proper forms and documents are filled out correctly in the small window of opportunity.
Employer Visa Sponsorship - Employers have a lot to manage, so they commonly look to Alabama corporate immigration attorneys to help take the stress of composing the visa application in this regulated, high-stakes legal process. Timeliness and accuracy are crucial for visa applications, and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with organizing essential information and due dates on your behalf.
Changing Policies - Just about each year, H-1B adjudication policies change. An immigration lawyer with expertise in Birmingham, AL can assist you with those adjustments to make sure your registration and application are finalized properly.
How a TN Visa Attorney in Birmingham, AL Can Help You
Similarly to H-1B visas, TN visas also require documentation for both the employer and the Canadian or Mexican citizen applicant. A knowledgeable Birmingham, AL TN visa attorney can guide you through this process to the desired outcome.
Eligibility - A TN visa lawyer in Birmingham, AL can analyze your or your potential new employee's education and experience to figure out if they qualify for a TN visa, saving you time, headaches, and legal problems. They can also help prepare the necessary paperwork for this process and ensure that a TN visa is the right choice for your situation.
Extensions - Since TN visas must be renewed before they expire, your Birmingham, AL TN visa attorney can help keep you updated with any policy changes and the required details needed to renew your visa each time. Your TN visa lawyer can assist you and avert gaps in your visa and continue your legal working status.
Employer Compliance - Employers are the party responsible for immigration and employment law compliance in Birmingham, AL which means staying current with visa paperwork, recording wages and job assignments, maintaining Public Access Files for H-1B visas, along with other requirements. Your Birmingham visa lawyers can train and prepare your staff members to maintain compliance throughout the petition and reduce the chance of government audits.
Why You Should Hire an H-1B or TN Visa Attorney in Birmingham, AL
If you or a potential employee is pursuing an H-1B or TN visa so that they can legally work in Birmingham, AL, it can be a complex and time-consuming process. Additionally, erroneous information on any piece of the application can result in automatic denial.
A TN visa attorney or H-1B visa lawyer in Birmingham, AL is knowledgeable about the intricacies of each visa type and can assist you in navigating the necessary paperwork, deadlines, and lotteries correlated with each. Additionally, an H-1B visa lawyer in Birmingham, AL can help with your individual situation, especially if you need to bring dependents and immediate family members to Alabama with you.
Why Choose The Visa Pros as Your H-1B Immigration Lawyer in Birmingham, AL?
Karen Weinstock established Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she intimately understands the immigration process – she immigrated to the USA and went through several immigration procedures herself! The Weinstock team is made up of multilingual, multicultural staff in Birmingham, AL, and throughout, who have global expertise and boasts a combined more than 100 years of legal immigration experience.
Our forward-thinking attitude has resulted in over 20,000 cases of approved visas and green cards. We also have one of the highest approval rates in the industry, with only a 1% denial rate.* If you're trying to get a work visa to legally work in the United States or an employer who wants to tap into the global talent pool, trust Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for your H-1B and TN visa needs in Birmingham, AL. Get a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Prior outcomes do not guarantee similar results.