Understanding H-1B Visas in Saint Petersburg, FL
An H-1B visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa which permits foreign citizens in specialized fields of work to work in Saint Petersburg, FL and the rest of the U.S. for a specific amount of time. H-1B applicants must have a job offer from a U.S. employer in a specialized profession like science, healthcare, education, technology, or engineering. Any line of work where the hiring company can prove a bachelor’s degree is the minimum entry requirement may qualify. Initially, H-1B visas are valid for three years but may be extended up to six years and even longer if the employee applies for permanent residency.
Typically, securing an H-1B visa is the first step 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) sponsored by their Saint Petersburg, FL employer and then apply for United States citizenship.
What Is a TN Visa in Saint Petersburg, FL?
Another type of nonimmigrant visa for working professionals is the TN visa, which is for which only Canadian and Mexican citizens qualify. The qualifications for TN visa applicants are stricter because the list of occupations is finite. 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 Saint Petersburg, FL) in order 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, however, Mexican citizens must apply for a visa ahead of time.
To start, TN visas are valid for three years but can be extended for additional three-year periods. Much like H-1B visas, TN visa holders in Saint Petersburg, FL are able to transition to a green card if they are qualified.
Do I Need a Lawyer for an H-1B Visa in Saint Petersburg, FL?
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 Saint Petersburg, FL can help you work through this system and obtain a successful outcome.
Visa Caps - The biggest hurdle Florida applicants encounter is the annual cap placed on how many new H-1B visas are issued. The cap is set at 65,000 per government fiscal year, with an additional 20,000 visas available under the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Due to the limited number of approvable visas, your paperwork must be without errors and submitted correctly.
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 Saint Petersburg, FL can help you with preparing your petition to be more competitive in pursuing this highly selective visa.
Dates To Remember - Registration to apply for an H-1B visa is routinely open for a few short weeks each March, and the selected employers and applicants only have a few weeks to apply from the date of selection. An H-1B attorney in Saint Petersburg, FL is well-versed in the process and can assist you in filling out the required forms properly in the fast process.
Sponsorship by Employers - Employers have a lot to manage, so they commonly look to Florida corporate immigration attorneys to help alleviate the stress of preparing the employer’s portion of the application in this legal process that involves many regulations. Timeliness and accuracy are critical for visa applications, and your H-1B visa lawyer can help keep track of essential information and due dates on your behalf.
Shifting Policies - Almost each and every year, the policies around H-1B visas shift. An experienced Saint Petersburg, FL immigration lawyer can assist you with those adjustments to make sure your registration and application are finalized completely.
What a TN Visa Lawyer in Saint Petersburg, FL Can Do
In similar fashion to H-1B visas, TN visas need proper documentation for both parties, the Canadian or Mexican citizen and the employer. A TN visa lawyer in Saint Petersburg, FL with experience can guide you through this process to the desired outcome.
Eligibility - TN visa lawyers in Saint Petersburg, FL can assess your or your potential new hire's educational background and experience to determine their eligibility for a TN visa, saving you from potential legal problems in the future. They can also help prepare the necessary paperwork for this process and confirm the TN visa is the right type to pursue.
Visa Extension - Before they expire, TN visas require an extension, and your Saint Petersburg, FL TN visa lawyer can help keep you updated with any policy changes and the guidance you need for visa renewal. They can help you avoid delays in your visa and continue your legal working status.
Employer Compliance - The duty for Saint Petersburg, FL immigration and employment compliance lies with the employer, which means keeping up with visa documentation, recording wages and job assignments, managing Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and many more obligations. Saint Petersburg visa lawyers from our team can ensure your team is trained and prepared to maintain compliance throughout the petition and minimize the chances of a government audit.
Why Hire an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Saint Petersburg, FL?
Whether you or your employee is seeking an H-1B or TN visa to work in Saint Petersburg, FL, it can be a complex and time-consuming process. In addition, mistakes in the application may lead to your petition being denied.
A TN visa attorney or H-1B visa lawyer in Saint Petersburg, FL is knowledgeable about the intricacies of each visa type and can assist in managing the lotteries, deadlines, and correct documentation correlated with each. In addition, a TN visa lawyer or H-1B attorney in Saint Petersburg, FL can assist with your unique situation, which include additional dependents or other immediate relatives with you to Florida.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Saint Petersburg, FL?
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, who is deeply familiar with the immigration procedures– she relocated to the U.S. and went through several immigration procedures herself! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers has a multilingual, multicultural staff in Saint Petersburg, Florida and beyond, with worldwide expertise and over 100 years of legal immigration experience together.
Our forward-thinking attitude means that we boast over 20,000 cases of approved green cards and visas. We're proud to have one of the highest approval rates in the industry with only 1% of cases being denied.* 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 TN and H-1B visa needs in Saint Petersburg, FL. Get in touch today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.