Albany, GA H-1B Visas Explained
An H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows citizens of foreign countries in particular job industries to work in Albany, GA and the rest of the U.S. for a specific amount of time. To qualify for an H-1B, applicants must already have been offered a job in a specialized profession such as engineering, science, healthcare, education, or IT. Any line of work where that the employer can demonstrate that a bachelor’s degree is the minimum entry requirement might qualify. Initially, H-1B visas are valid for three years but may be extended to a total of six years or more if the employee applies for permanent residency.
Frequently, obtaining an H-1B visa is the first step individuals take towards permanent residency and citizenship. H-1B visa holders may apply for permanent residency (also known as a green card) as sponsored by their Albany, GA job and then petition to obtain U.S. citizenship.
TN Visas in Albany, GA: What Are They?
TN visas are another type of nonimmigrant visa for professionals, exclusively for citizens of Canada and Mexico. The qualifications for TN visa applicants are stricter because the list of occupations is finite. This includes pharmacists, accountants, engineers, management consultants, and scientists. TN visa applicants are required to have a U.S. job offer (e.g., in Albany, GA) in order to qualify. Canadian citizens can apply directly at the border or airport and do not need to have a visa stamped at the consulate, 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 Albany, GA can shift to a green card if they are qualified.
Do I Need a Lawyer for an H-1B Visa in Albany, GA?
H-1B visas may seem straightforward but actually require you to go through a complex, sometimes vague system. An H-1B visa lawyer in Albany, GA can help you work through this system and achieve a great result.
Visa Cap Limitations - The biggest hurdle Georgia applicants encounter is the annual cap placed on how many new H-1B visas are issued. 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 H-1B visas are extremely limited and in high demand, 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. Albany, GA H-1B visa attorneys can help you take the necessary steps for your petition and be more competitive in this highly selective process.
Deadlines - When applying for an H-1B visa, registration is normally only allowed during a few weeks in March, and once selected, applicants and their employers only have a few weeks after being informed of their selection to apply. Hiring an H-1B visa lawyer in Albany, GA is a smart move. They are experienced with the process and can help ensure that your paperwork is submitted correctly in the limited timeframe.
Employer Sponsorship - Busy employers and their HR teams commonly look to Georgia corporate immigration attorneys to help put together the entire visa application in this heavily regulated legal system. Accuracy and timeliness are critical for visa applications, and your H-1B visa lawyer can help keep track of essential information and manage deadlines for you.
Changing Policies - Almost each and every year, changes are made to H-1B visa adjudications. An immigration lawyer with expertise in Albany, GA can help you understand those policy changes to ensure that your registration and application are filled out correctly.
Get Help from a TN Visa Attorney in Albany, GA
Like H-1B visas, TN visas necessitate correct documentation for both the employer and the Canadian or Mexican citizen applicant. A TN visa lawyer in Albany, GA with experience can assist you with this process to a fruitful outcome.
Check for Eligibility - TN visa lawyers in Albany, GA can review your or your future employee's education and experience to determine if they meet the eligibility requirements 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 a TN visa is the correct one for this situation.
Renewal - Before they expire, TN visas require an extension, and your Albany, GA TN visa lawyer can help ensure you remain updated with changing policies and the necessary information that you need to renew your visa. They can help you avoid delays in your visa and ensure you can keep legally working.
Employer Compliance - Employers are responsible for complying with immigration and employment laws in Albany, GA, which means staying current with visa paperwork, logging job duties and wages, keeping H-1B visa Public Access Files, and additional requirements. Your Albany visa attorneys can prepare and train relevant staff to stay compliant throughout the process and reduce the chance of government audits.
Why You Should Hire an H-1B or TN Visa Attorney in Albany, GA
If you or a potential employee is pursuing a TN or H-1B visa for temporary work in Albany, GA, it can be a lengthy and extremely complex process. Sometimes, an inaccurate piece of information on the application can cause it to be denied outright.
An H-1B visa attorney or TN visa lawyer in Albany, GA is familiar with the intricacies of these visas and can help you work through the deadlines, lotteries, and correct paperwork associated with them. Additionally, an H-1B visa lawyer in Albany, GA can aid in your specific situation, which include additional dependents or other immediate relatives with you to Georgia.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Albany, GA?
Karen Weinstock started Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she understands the immigration procedures deeply – she immigrated to the USA and went through various immigration steps personally! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers is comprised of team members who are multilingual and multicultural in Albany, Georgia, with worldwide expertise and boasts a combined more than 100 years of legal immigration experience.
Our hands-on approach 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.* 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, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for your TN and H-1B visa needs in Albany, GA. Contact us for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior outcomes do not guarantee similar results.