H-1B Visas in Hartford, CT: What Are They?
Classified as a nonimmigrant visa, the H-1B visa allows foreign nationals in certain specialized careers to temporarily work in Hartford, CT and the rest of the United States. H-1B applicants must have a job offer from a U.S. employer in a professional specialty like science, healthcare, education, technology, or engineering. Any line of work where employers can show a bachelor’s degree is the minimum entry requirement may qualify. Initially, H-1B visas are valid for three years but can be extended to a six-year maximum and even longer if the employee chooses to apply for permanent residency.
Typically, securing an H-1B visa is the first step towards permanent residency and citizenship. Those with an H-1B visa can pursue permanent residency (known as a green card) through sponsorship from their Hartford, CT employer and then petition to obtain U.S. citizenship.
TN Visas for Mexican and Canadian Citizens in Hartford, CT
Another type of work visa for professionals is the TN visa, which is designated for Mexican and Canadian 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 Hartford, CT) 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 obtain a visa stamp.
To start, TN visas are valid for three years but visa holders can extend them for additional three-year periods. Similar to H-1B visas, TN visa holders in Hartford, CT can shift to a green card if they meet specific qualifications.
What an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Hartford, CT Can Help You With
H-1B visas might appear to be simple but in reality, require working through a complex, potentially convoluted process. An H-1B visa attorney in Hartford, CT can assist you with this system and obtain a successful outcome.
Visa Cap Limitations - The biggest hurdle Connecticut applicants encounter 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, plus an additional 20,000 visas allocated through the H-1B advanced degree exemption. With a limited number of visas available, 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 Hartford, CT can help you prepare your application to be more competitive in pursuing this highly selective visa.
Application Deadlines - Registration to apply for an H-1B visa is normally only allowed during a few weeks in March, and then applicants and employers who are selected only have a few weeks to apply from the date of selection. H-1B lawyers in Hartford, CT have expertise in this application process and can help ensure that your paperwork is submitted correctly in the short turnaround time.
Employer Visa Sponsorship - Employers have a lot to manage, so they commonly look to Connecticut corporate immigration attorneys to help put together the entire visa application in this heavily regulated legal system. Timeliness and accuracy are paramount for these applications, and your H-1B visa lawyer can help monitor important paperwork and due dates on your behalf.
Policy Changes - Just about each year, the policies around H-1B visa adjudication change. An immigration lawyer with expertise in Hartford, CT can help you navigate those shifts so your registration and application are filed on time and completely.
How a TN Visa Attorney in Hartford, CT Can Help You
Similarly to H-1B visas, TN visas also require documentation for both parties, the Canadian or Mexican citizen and the employer. An experienced TN visa attorney in Hartford, CT can help you navigate this process to a successful outcome.
Eligibility Determination - Hartford, CT TN visa attorneys can assess your or your potential new hire's education and experience to figure out if they qualify for a TN visa, helping save time and prevent future legal issues. They can also help prepare the necessary paperwork for this process and make sure that the TN visa is the right one for your employee.
Renewal - Because TN visas must be extended prior to expiration, your Hartford, CT TN visa attorney can help keep you updated with changes in policy and the guidance you need for visa renewal. Your TN visa attorney can help you prevent gaps in your visa and continue your legal working status.
Employer Compliance Requirements - Employers hold the responsibility for complying with Hartford, CT employment and immigration laws, which means keeping up with visa documentation, logging job duties and wages, keeping H-1B visa Public Access Files, and many more obligations. One of our Hartford visa lawyers can prepare and train relevant staff to stay compliant throughout the process and minimize the chances of a government audit.
Why Hire an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Hartford, CT?
Whether you or your employee is seeking an H-1B or TN visa so that they can legally work in Hartford, CT, it can be a time-consuming, complicated process. Sometimes, an inaccurate piece of information on the application may cause your application to be denied.
An H-1B visa lawyer or TN visa attorney in Hartford, CT is knowledgeable about the intricacies of each visa type and can assist you in navigating the lotteries, deadlines, and correct documentation correlated with each. Additionally, an H-1B visa lawyer in Hartford, CT can assist with your unique situation, which include additional dependents or other immediate relatives with you to Connecticut.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Hartford, CT?
Karen Weinstock established Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she understands the immigration procedures deeply – she relocated to the U.S. and went through various immigration steps personally! The Weinstock Immigration Lawyers team is multilingual and multicultural, located in Hartford, CT, 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 gives us 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 seeking to take advantage of the best talent the world has to offer, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers is here for your H-1B and TN visa needs in Hartford, CT. Get a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.