H-1B Visas in Winston, GA: What Are They?
H-1B visas are a type of nonimmigrant visa that allows citizens of foreign countries in specialized areas of employment to temporarily work in Winston, GA and the rest of the United States. Potential H-1B applicants are required to have a job offer in a specialized professional field including healthcare, engineering, IT, science, education. Any line of work where the hiring company can prove a bachelor's degree is the minimum qualification required could potentially fit. Initially, H-1B visas are valid for three years but have the option to be extended up to six years or more if the employee chooses to apply for permanent residency.
Frequently, obtaining an H-1B visa is the first step immigrants take when they want to eventually apply for permanent residency and citizenship. Many H-1B visa applicants file for permanent residency (known as a green card) via sponsorship through their Winston, GA job and eventually apply for citizenship.
Winston, GA TN Visas Explained
Another type of work visa for professionals is the TN visa, which is exclusively for citizens of Canada and Mexico. The list of occupations for TN visas is closed, so this visa type has more stringent qualifications. The list includes engineers, pharmacists, management consultants, scientists, and accountants. In order to qualify for a TN visa, applicants must have a full-time U.S. job offer (ex.: in Winston, GA). 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 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. Akin to H-1B visa holders, those with a TN visa in Winston, GA can choose to apply for a green card if they meet specific qualifications.
Do I Need a Lawyer for an H-1B Visa in Winston, GA?
H-1B visas might appear to be simple but in reality, require working through a complex, often convoluted system. An H-1B visa lawyer in Winston, 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 cap is set at 65,000 per government fiscal year, with 20,000 additional visas issued through the H-1B advanced degree exemption. With a limited number of visas available, it's imperative you ensure your paperwork is submitted accurately with all the right 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 Winston, GA can help you with preparing your petition so your application can have more chances in this process.
Application Deadlines - The registration window to apply for an H-1B visa is routinely open for a few short weeks each March, and then the employers and applicants that are chosen only have a few weeks to apply from the date of selection. Hiring an H-1B visa lawyer in Winston, GA is a smart move. They are experienced with the process and can help make sure your application has been filed correctly in the short turnaround time.
Required Employer Sponsorship - Employers who want to file correctly normally will hire Georgia corporate immigration attorneys to help put together the entire visa application in this highly-regulated legal process. Precision and timeliness are paramount for these applications, and your H-1B visa lawyer can help monitor important paperwork and due dates on your behalf.
Shifting Policies - Almost each and every year, H-1B adjudication policies change. An experienced Winston, GA immigration lawyer can help you understand and navigate the changes so your registration and application are filed on time and completely.
How a TN Visa Attorney in Winston, GA Can Help You
Similarly to H-1B visas, TN visas need proper documentation on both the employer's and Mexican or Canadian citizens' sides. An experienced TN visa attorney in Winston, GA can help you navigate this process to a successful outcome.
Check for Eligibility - A TN visa lawyer in Winston, GA can review your or your future employee's qualifications and information to determine if they meet the eligibility requirements for a TN visa, saving you from potential legal problems in the future. They can also assist you prepare the required documentation and make sure that a TN visa is the correct one for this situation.
Visa Renewal - Because TN visas must be extended prior to expiration, your Winston, GA TN visa attorney can help you stay up to date with changing policies and the information needed to renew your visa. Your TN visa attorney can help you prevent gaps in your visa and continue your legal working status.
Employer Visa Compliance - Employers are responsible for complying with immigration and employment laws in Winston, GA, which means keeping up with visa documentation, recording wages and job assignments, maintaining Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and additional requirements. One of our Winston visa lawyers can ensure your team is trained and prepared to remain legally compliant during the process and minimize the chances of a government audit.
The Benefits of Hiring an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Winston, GA
No matter if you or your employee is seeking an H-1B or TN visa so that they can legally work in Winston, GA, it can be a lengthy and extremely complex process. Moreover, incorrect information anywhere on the application can cause it to be denied outright.
An H-1B visa attorney or TN visa lawyer in Winston, GA is experienced in the complications of each visa and can help you understand the necessary paperwork, deadlines, and lotteries correlated with each. Furthermore, Winston, GA immigration lawyers can assist with your unique situation, especially if you need to bring dependents and immediate family members to Georgia with you.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Winston, GA?
Karen Weinstock established 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 multiple immigration processes herself! The Weinstock team is made up of multilingual, multicultural staff in Winston, GA, and throughout, with wide-reaching expertise and a combined over 100 years of legal immigration experience.
Our forward-thinking attitude means we have over 20,000 approved cases of visas and green cards. That gives us one of the highest approval rates in the industry, with only a 1% denial rate.* Whether you’re looking to obtain a work visa to work in the USA or an employer hoping to hire global talent, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers is here for your TN and H-1B visa needs in Winston, GA. Contact us for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.