Understanding H-1B Visas in Whatley, AL
An H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows citizens of foreign countries in specialized areas of employment to temporarily work and live in Whatley and the entire United States. To qualify for an H-1B, applicants must already have been offered a job in a specialized professional field like science, healthcare, education, technology, or engineering. Any area of work where employers can show a bachelor’s degree is the minimum entry requirement could potentially fit. Initially, H-1B visas are valid for three years but may be extended up to six years and potentially more if the applicant decides to apply for permanent residency.
For many, an H-1B visa is the first filing individuals take towards permanent residency and citizenship. H-1B visa holders may apply for permanent residency (known as a green card) sponsored by their Whatley, AL employer and then apply for United States citizenship.
What Is a TN Visa in Whatley, AL?
TN visas are another temporary work visa type, but they are specifically for Canadian and Mexican citizens. TN visas have more strict qualifications for professions because the list of occupations is closed. It includes accountants, engineers, pharmacists, management consultants, and scientists. TN visa applicants are required to have a U.S. job offer (e.g., in Whatley, AL) in order to qualify. Canadian citizens may apply at the airport or border crossing and need not obtain a visa stamp at a consulate ahead of time, but Mexican citizens must go to a consulate to apply for a visa.
To start, TN visas are valid for three years but can be extended for three-year periods at a time. Like H-1B visa applicants, TN visa holders in Whatley, AL are able to shift to a green card if they meet specific qualifications.
Challenges an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Whatley, AL Can Help You Overcome
H-1B visas could seem simple but actually require you to go through a complex, potentially convoluted process. An H-1B visa lawyer in Whatley, AL can help you work through this system and gain a desired outcome.
H-1B Cap Issues - The biggest hurdle Alabama applicants encounter is the cap on how many new H-1B visas may be issued each year. The annual cap is currently set at 65,000 visas per fiscal year, plus an additional 20,000 visas allocated through the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Since visas are severely limited and many apply, it's critical that your paperwork is submitted correctly and with accurate information.
For the 2023 fiscal year, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services received 758,994 eligible H-1B registrations and selected 188,400 to apply for only 65,000 visas. An H-1B visa lawyer in Whatley, AL can help you with preparing your petition and be more competitive in this highly selective process.
Application Turnaround Times - The registration window to apply for an H-1B visa is usually open for only a couple of weeks in March each year, and the selected employers and applicants only have a few weeks to apply from the date of selection. If you work with an H-1B lawyer in Whatley, AL, they are familiar with this process and can help make sure your application has been filed correctly in the small window of opportunity.
Sponsorship by Employers - Employers who already have a lot on their plates commonly look to Alabama corporate immigration attorneys to help alleviate the stress of preparing the employer’s portion of the application in this highly-regulated legal process. Precision and timeliness are paramount for these 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, changes are made to H-1B visa adjudications. An experienced immigration attorney in Whatley, AL can help you navigate those shifts to ensure that your registration and application are filled out correctly.
What a TN Visa Lawyer in Whatley, AL Can Do
Like H-1B visas, TN visas also require documentation from both the applicant and the employer. A TN visa lawyer in Whatley, AL with experience can help you navigate this process to a successful outcome.
Eligibility Determination - TN visa lawyers in Whatley, AL can analyze your or your potential new employee's information and qualifications to figure out if they qualify for a TN visa, helping save time and prevent future legal issues. They can also assist you prepare the required documentation and make sure that the TN visa is the right one for your employee.
Renewal - Before they expire, TN visas require an extension, and your Whatley, AL TN visa attorney can help ensure you remain updated with changing policies and the necessary information that you need to renew your visa. Your TN visa lawyer can assist you and avert gaps in your visa and ensure you can keep legally working.
Employer Legal Compliance - Employers are responsible for complying with immigration and employment laws in Whatley, AL, which means keeping up with visa documentation, logging job duties and wages, managing Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and many more obligations. Whatley visa lawyers from our team can prepare and train relevant staff to remain legally compliant during the process and reduce the risk of audits and legal troubles.
Benefits of Hiring TN or H-1B Visa Lawyers in Whatley, AL
If you or a potential employee is pursuing a TN or H-1B visa to work in Whatley, AL, the process can be complicated and taxing. In addition, mistakes in the application can cause it to be denied outright.
A TN visa attorney or H-1B visa lawyer in Whatley, AL is familiar with the intricacies of these visas and can help you understand the necessary paperwork, deadlines, and lotteries that are associated with each one. Additionally, an H-1B visa lawyer in Whatley, AL can help with your individual situation, such as bringing spouse and children or members of your family to Alabama with you.
Trust The Visa Pros for Your H-1B and TN Visa Needs in Whatley, AL
Karen Weinstock started Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she intimately understands the immigration process – she migrated to the United States and went through several immigration procedures herself! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers has a multilingual, multicultural staff in Whatley, Alabama and beyond, who have global expertise and together, they have more than 100 years of legal immigration experience.
We take a proactive approach, which means we have over 20,000 approved cases of visas and green cards. We also have one of the highest approval rates in the industry, with only a 1% denial rate.* Whether you're attempting to get a work visa in the U.S. or an employer ready to hire the best global talent, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for your TN and H-1B visa needs in Whatley, AL. Contact us for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.