Understanding H-1B Visas in Covington, LA
An H-1B visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa which authorizes foreign nationals in specialized areas of employment to work in Covington, LA and the rest of the U.S. for a specific amount of time. In order to apply for an H-1B, applicants must already have a job offer in a specialized professional field including healthcare, engineering, IT, science, education. Any line of work where employers can show a bachelor’s degree is the minimum entry requirement might qualify. H-1B visas are good for three years but may be extended up to six years or longer if the employee applies for permanent residency.
Frequently, obtaining an H-1B visa is the first step towards permanent residency and citizenship. Many H-1B visa applicants file for permanent residency (a U.S. green card) sponsored by their Covington, LA employer and then petition to obtain U.S. citizenship.
TN Visas for Mexican and Canadian Citizens in Covington, LA
TN visas are another type of nonimmigrant visa for professionals, for which only Canadian and Mexican citizens qualify. 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. TN visa applicants are required to have a U.S. job offer (e.g., in Covington, LA) in order to qualify. Canadian citizens can apply directly at the border or airport and need not obtain a visa stamp at a consulate ahead of time, 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 three-year periods at a time. Similar to H-1B visas, Covington, LA 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 Covington, LA?
The steps to acquiring H-1B visas could look straightforward but in reality, require working through a complex, frequently vague bureaucracy. H-1B visa lawyers in Covington, LA can help you navigate this system and successfully petition your visa.
Visa Cap Limitations - One of the biggest obstacles that Louisiana 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, and then 20,000 additional visas in the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Since visas are severely limited and many apply, all of your application paperwork must be accurate and submitted properly.
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 attorney in Covington, LA can assist you in preparing your visa application and be more competitive in this highly selective process.
Application Turnaround Times - When applying for an H-1B visa, registration is typically open for just a few weeks in March, and the selected employers and applicants only have a few weeks to apply from the date of selection. An H-1B attorney in Covington, LA is well-versed in the process and can help make sure the proper forms and documents are filled out correctly in the small window of opportunity.
Sponsorship by Employers - Employers have a lot to manage, so they normally will hire Louisiana corporate immigration attorneys to help take the stress of composing the visa application in this regulated, high-stakes legal process. Accuracy and punctuality are critical for visa applications, and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with keeping track of important information and deadlines on your behalf.
Policy Changes - Almost each and every year, H-1B adjudication policies change. An immigration lawyer with expertise in Covington, LA can assist you with those adjustments to ensure that your registration and application are filled out correctly.
How a TN Visa Attorney in Covington, LA Can Help You
Much like H-1B visas, TN visas need proper documentation on both the employer's and Mexican or Canadian citizens' sides. A TN visa lawyer in Covington, LA with experience can assist you with this process to a fruitful outcome.
Check for Eligibility - A TN visa attorney in Covington, LA can help review your or your potential employee’s qualifications and information to determine if they meet the eligibility requirements for a TN visa, saving you time, headaches, and legal problems. They can also help you assemble the necessary paperwork and make sure that the TN visa is the right one for your employee.
Visa Extension - Before they expire, TN visas require an extension, and your TN visa lawyer in Covington, LA can help keep you updated with changing policies and the necessary information that you need to renew your visa. Your TN visa lawyer can assist you and avert gaps in your visa and continue your legal working status.
Employer Compliance Requirements - The duty for Covington, LA immigration and employment compliance lies with the employer, which means staying on top of visa documentation, recording wages and job assignments, preserving H-1B visa Public Access Files, and many more obligations. Your Covington visa attorneys can train and prepare your staff members to maintain legal compliance throughout the application and reduce the risk of audits and legal troubles.
The Benefits of Hiring an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Covington, LA
Whether you or your employee is seeking a TN or H-1B visa for temporary work in Covington, LA, the process can be complicated and taxing. Moreover, incorrect information anywhere on the application may cause your application to be denied.
An H-1B visa lawyer or TN visa attorney in Covington, LA is familiar with the intricacies of these visas and can assist you in navigating the deadlines, lotteries, and correct paperwork that are associated with each one. Furthermore, Covington, LA immigration lawyers can help with your individual situation, which include additional dependents or close relatives to Louisiana with you.
Why Choose The Visa Pros as Your H-1B Immigration Lawyer in Covington, LA?
Karen Weinstock started Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she is deeply familiar with the immigration procedures– she moved to the United States and went through multiple immigration processes herself! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers has a multilingual, multicultural staff in Covington, Louisiana and beyond, who have global expertise and a combined over 100 years of legal immigration experience.
Our forward-thinking attitude 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.* If you're trying to get a work visa to legally work in the United States or an employer hoping to hire global talent, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers is here for your TN and H-1B visa needs in Covington, LA. Get in touch today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not ensure a similar outcome.