H-1B Visas in Portland, CT: What Are They?
Classified as a nonimmigrant visa, the H-1B visa authorizes foreign nationals in specialized areas of employment to temporarily work and live in Portland and the entire United States. H-1B applicants must have a job offer from a U.S. employer in a specialized profession including healthcare, engineering, IT, science, education. Any professional field where employers can show a bachelor's degree is the minimum qualification required could be eligible. H-1B visas are good for three years but have the option to be extended up to six years and even longer if the applicant pursues a green card.
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 (also known as a green card) as sponsored by their Portland, CT job and then petition to obtain U.S. citizenship.
TN Visas in Portland, CT: What Are They?
Another type of nonimmigrant visa for working professionals is the TN visa, which is specifically for Canadian and Mexican citizens. The qualifications for TN visa applicants are stricter because the list of occupations is finite. It includes accountants, engineers, pharmacists, management consultants, and scientists. Applicants must already have a job offer in the United States (for example in: Portland, CT) to qualify. For Canadian citizens, you can apply directly at the border or at the airport 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 valid for three years initially but visa holders can extend them for additional three-year periods. Like H-1B visa applicants, Portland, CT TN visa holders are eligible to shift to a green card if they meet specific qualifications.
Do I Need a Lawyer for an H-1B Visa in Portland, CT?
The steps to acquiring H-1B visas could look straightforward but in actuality, they require navigating a complicated, sometimes vague system. An H-1B visa lawyer in Portland, CT can help you work through this system and achieve a great result.
Cap Limitations - One of the biggest obstacles that Connecticut 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 an additional 20,000 visas available under the H-1B advanced degree exemption. With a limited number of visas available, all of your application paperwork must be accurate and submitted properly.
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 Portland, CT can help you with preparing your petition so you may ensure proper filing in this selective process.
Application Deadlines - When applying for an H-1B visa, registration is routinely open for a few short weeks each March, and once selected, applicants and their employers only have a few weeks after being informed of their selection to apply. An H-1B attorney in Portland, CT is well-versed in the process and can help ensure that your paperwork is submitted correctly in the small window of opportunity.
Employer Visa Sponsorship - Employers who want to file correctly commonly look to Connecticut corporate immigration attorneys to help take the stress of composing the visa application in this highly-regulated legal process. Accuracy and punctuality are critical for visa applications, and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with organizing essential information and track time limits on your behalf.
Policy Changes - Just about each year, changes are made to H-1B visa adjudications. An experienced Portland, CT immigration lawyer can help you navigate those shifts to ensure that your registration and application are filled out completely.
Get Help from a TN Visa Attorney in Portland, CT
Like H-1B visas, TN visas need proper documentation for both parties, the Canadian or Mexican citizen and the employer. An experienced TN visa attorney in Portland, CT can guide you through this process to the desired outcome.
Eligibility - A TN visa lawyer in Portland, CT can help review your or your potential employee’s education and experience to determine their eligibility for a TN visa, saving you time, headaches, and legal problems. They can also help you assemble the necessary paperwork and ensure that a TN visa is the right choice for your situation.
Extensions - Before they expire, TN visas require an extension, and your TN visa lawyer in Portland, CT can help you remain current with changes in policy and the required details needed to renew your visa each time. Your TN visa attorney can help you prevent gaps in your visa and ensure you can keep legally working.
Employer Visa Compliance - Employers hold the responsibility for complying with Portland, CT employment and immigration laws, which includes staying up to date with visa paperwork, properly document job duties and wages, managing Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and additional requirements. One of our Portland visa lawyers can coach the necessary staff to maintain legal compliance throughout the application and reduce the risk of audits and legal troubles.
Benefits of Hiring TN or H-1B Visa Lawyers in Portland, CT
No matter if you or your employee is seeking a TN or H-1B visa for temporary work in Portland, CT, the process can be complicated and taxing. Moreover, incorrect information anywhere on the application can cause it to be denied outright.
A TN visa attorney or H-1B visa lawyer in Portland, CT is familiar with the intricacies of these visas and can assist in managing the required documentation, lotteries, and deadlines associated with them. In addition, a TN visa lawyer or H-1B attorney in Portland, CT can adjust to special circumstances, including bringing dependents or close relatives to Connecticut with you.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Portland, CT?
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, and she is intimately familiar with the United States immigration process – she migrated to the United States and went through various immigration steps personally! The Weinstock team is made up of multilingual, multicultural staff in Portland, CT, and throughout, with wide-reaching expertise and boasts a combined more than 100 years of legal immigration experience.
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 ready to hire the best global talent, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers can help with your TN and H-1B visa needs in Portland, CT. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure the same outcome.