Understanding H-1B Visas in Evanston, IL
An H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa that permits foreign citizens in certain specialized careers to temporarily work in Evanston, IL and the rest of the United States. Potential H-1B applicants are required to have a job offer in a highly-specialized industry including healthcare, engineering, IT, science, education. Any area of work where the hiring company can prove a bachelor's degree is the minimum qualification required may qualify. H-1B visas are initially three years long but can be extended to a six-year maximum or more if the applicant decides to apply for permanent residency.
Frequently, obtaining an H-1B visa is the first step towards eventually applying for permanent residency and citizenship. H-1B visa holders may apply for permanent residency (also called a green card) sponsored by their Evanston, IL employer and then petition to obtain U.S. citizenship.
TN Visas for Mexican and Canadian Citizens in Evanston, IL
Another type of work visa for professionals is the TN visa, which is designated for Mexican and Canadian citizens. There are stricter qualifications for TN visas because the list of occupations is restricted. The list includes engineers, pharmacists, management consultants, scientists, and accountants. A full-time U.S. job offer is required for TN visa applicants in Evanston, IL. If you are a Canadian citizen, you are able to apply directly at an airport or border and need not obtain a visa stamp at a 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. Much like H-1B visas, TN visa holders in Evanston, IL can shift to a green card if eligible.
Do I Need a Lawyer for an H-1B Visa in Evanston, IL?
H-1B visas might appear to be simple but actually require you to go through a complex, potentially convoluted process. An H-1B visa attorney in Evanston, IL can assist you with this system and gain a desired outcome.
Visa Cap Limitations - One of the most difficult challenges that Illinois applicants must meet is the cap on the number of new H-1B visas that may be issued yearly. The cap is set at 65,000 per government fiscal year, with 20,000 additional visas issued through the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Since H-1B visas are extremely limited and in high demand, your paperwork must be without errors and submitted correctly.
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 Evanston, IL can help you with preparing your petition and be more competitive in this highly selective process.
Application Deadlines - Registration to apply for an H-1B visa is usually open for only a couple of weeks in March each year, and once selected, applicants and their employers have a few short weeks to apply once they've been notified of selection. H-1B lawyers in Evanston, IL have expertise in this application process and can help ensure that your paperwork is submitted correctly in the limited timeframe.
Employer Sponsorship - Busy employers and their HR teams normally will hire Illinois corporate immigration attorneys to help put together the entire visa application in this heavily regulated legal system. Accuracy and punctuality are paramount for these applications, and your H-1B visa lawyer can help keep track of essential information and manage deadlines for you.
Policy Changes - Nearly every year, the policies around H-1B visas shift. A knowledgeable, skilled Evanston, IL immigration attorney can help you navigate those shifts so your registration and application are filed on time and accurately.
What a TN Visa Lawyer in Evanston, IL Can Do
Similarly to H-1B visas, TN visas require proper paperwork on both the employer's and Mexican or Canadian citizens' sides. A TN visa lawyer in Evanston, IL with experience can help you navigate this process to a successful outcome.
Eligibility - A TN visa lawyer in Evanston, IL can help review your or your potential employee’s education 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 Evanston, IL TN visa lawyer can help keep you updated with changing policies and the required details needed to renew your visa each time. They can help you prevent delays in your visa and maintain your legal employment status.
Employer Legal Compliance - The duty for Evanston, IL immigration and employment compliance lies with the employer, which means staying on top of visa documentation, properly document job duties and wages, maintaining Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and additional obligations. Evanston visa lawyers from our team can coach the necessary staff to remain legally compliant during the process and minimize the chances of a government audit.
Why You Should Hire an H-1B or TN Visa Attorney in Evanston, IL
No matter if you or your employee is seeking an H-1B or TN visa to work in Evanston, IL, it can be a complex and time-consuming process. Sometimes, an inaccurate piece of information on the application may cause your application to be denied.
An H-1B visa attorney or TN visa lawyer in Evanston, IL 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 Evanston, IL can help with your individual situation, such as bringing spouse and children or other immediate relatives with you to Illinois.
Trust The Visa Pros for Your H-1B and TN Visa Needs in Evanston, IL
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 multiple immigration processes herself! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers has a multilingual, multicultural staff in Evanston, Illinois and beyond, who possess international expertise and boasts a combined more than 100 years of legal immigration experience.
Our hands-on approach means that we boast over 20,000 cases of approved green cards and visas. We also have 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, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for your TN and H-1B visa needs in Evanston, IL. Contact us for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.