H-1B Visas in Gateway, AR: What Are They?
An H-1B visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa which allows foreign nationals in specialized areas of employment to work in Gateway, AR and the rest of the U.S. for a specific amount of time. Potential H-1B applicants are required to have a job offer in a highly-specialized industry such as education, technology, science, engineering, or healthcare Any line of work where the employer can prove a bachelor's degree is the minimum qualification required may qualify. H-1B visas are initially three years long but can be extended to a six-year maximum or longer if the employee chooses to apply for permanent residency.
For many, an H-1B visa is the first filing immigrants take when they want to eventually apply for permanent residency and citizenship. H-1B visa holders may apply for permanent residency (a U.S. green card) through sponsorship from their Gateway, AR employer and then petition to obtain U.S. citizenship.
What Is a TN Visa in Gateway, AR?
Another type of nonimmigrant visa for working professionals is the TN visa, which is exclusively for citizens of Canada and Mexico. There are stricter qualifications for TN visas because the list of occupations is restricted. The list includes engineers, pharmacists, management consultants, scientists, and accountants. Applicants must already have a job offer in the United States (for example in: Gateway, AR) to qualify. Canadian citizens may apply at the airport or border crossing and don’t have to go to a consulate to get a visa stamped, but Mexican citizens must go to a consulate to apply for a visa.
TN visas are initially valid for three years but visa holders can extend them for additional three-year periods. Similar to H-1B visas, those with a TN visa in Gateway, AR can choose to shift to a green card if they are qualified.
Challenges an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Gateway, AR Can Help You Overcome
H-1B visas could seem simple but actually require you to go through a complex, sometimes vague system. H-1B visa lawyers in Gateway, AR can help you navigate this system and obtain a successful outcome.
H-1B Cap Issues - One of the biggest obstacles that Arkansas applicants face 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, with 20,000 additional visas issued through the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Due to the limited number of approvable visas, it's critical that your paperwork is submitted correctly and with accurate 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 Gateway, AR can help you with preparing your petition to be more competitive in pursuing this highly selective visa.
Application Turnaround Times - When applying for an H-1B visa, registration is usually open for only a couple of weeks in March each year, and the selected employers and applicants only have a few weeks after being informed of their selection to apply. H-1B lawyers in Gateway, AR have expertise in this application process and can assist you in filling out the required forms properly in the short turnaround time.
Required Employer Sponsorship - Employers who already have a lot on their plates often turn to Arkansas corporate immigration lawyers to help take the stress of composing the visa application in this regulated, high-stakes legal process. Accuracy and timeliness are vital for visa petitions and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with organizing essential information and manage deadlines for you.
Visa Policies Change Frequently - Nearly every year, H-1B adjudication policies change. An experienced immigration attorney in Gateway, AR can help you understand those policy changes to make sure your registration and application are prepared accurately.
What a TN Visa Lawyer in Gateway, AR Can Do
In similar fashion to H-1B visas, TN visas necessitate correct documentation from both the applicant and the employer. A TN visa lawyer in Gateway, AR with experience can help you navigate this process to a successful outcome.
Eligibility Determination - A TN visa lawyer in Gateway, AR can help review your or your potential employee’s educational background and experience to figure out if they qualify for a TN visa, saving you time, effort, and potential legal difficulties. They can also help prepare the necessary paperwork for this process and confirm the TN visa is the right type to pursue.
Visa Extension - Because TN visas must be extended prior to expiration, your Gateway, AR TN visa lawyer can help you stay up to date with potential policy changes and the guidance you need for visa renewal. Your TN visa lawyer can assist you and avert gaps in your visa and continue your legal working status.
Employer Legal Compliance - Employers are the party responsible for immigration and employment law compliance in Gateway, AR which means staying current with visa paperwork, properly document job duties and wages, keeping H-1B visa Public Access Files, along with other requirements. Your Gateway visa lawyers can coach the necessary staff to stay compliant throughout the process and minimize the chances of a government audit.
The Benefits of Hiring an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Gateway, AR
If you or a potential employee is pursuing a TN or H-1B visa to work in Gateway, AR, 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 Gateway, AR is familiar with the intricacies of these visas and can assist in managing the lotteries, deadlines, and correct documentation that are associated with each one. Furthermore, Gateway, AR immigration lawyers can assist with your unique situation, which include additional dependents or other immediate relatives with you to Arkansas.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Gateway, AR?
Karen Weinstock started Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she is intimately familiar with the United States immigration process – she relocated to the U.S. and went through various immigration steps personally! The Weinstock Immigration Lawyers team is multilingual and multicultural, located in Gateway, AR, and beyond, who have global expertise and over 100 years of legal immigration experience together.
Our proactive perspective has led to us successfully getting approved over 20,000 visa and green card cases. That's one of the highest approval rates in the industry, with only a 1% denial rate.* No matter if you're an individual hoping to secure a temporary visa in the U.S. or an employer seeking to take advantage of the best talent the world has to offer, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers can help with all of your TN and H-1B visa needs in Gateway, AR. Get a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.