H-1B Visas for Temporary Work in Lafayette, LA
An H-1B visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa which authorizes foreign nationals in specialized areas of employment to work for a finiteamount of time in Lafayette, LA and the United States in general. H-1B applicants must have a job offer from a U.S. employer in a specialized profession such as engineering, science, healthcare, education, or IT. Any line of work where employers can show it is necessary to have a bachelor's degree might qualify. The initial term for an H-1B visa is three years, but it can be extended to a six-year maximum and even longer if the applicant pursues a green card.
Often, an H-1B is the first application individuals take towards permanent residency and citizenship. Many H-1B visa applicants file for permanent residency (a U.S. green card) via sponsorship through their Lafayette, LA job and then petition to obtain U.S. citizenship.
Lafayette, LA TN Visas Explained
Another type of nonimmigrant visa for working professionals is the TN visa, which is designated for Mexican and Canadian citizens. TN visas have more strict qualifications for professions because the list of occupations is closed. These occupations include management consultants, scientists, accountants, engineers, and pharmacists. Applicants must already have a job offer in the United States (for example in: Lafayette, LA) to qualify. Canadian citizens may apply at the airport or border crossing 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.
The initial length of a TN visa is three years but can be extended by three-year increments each time. Like H-1B visa applicants, TN visa holders in Lafayette, LA can apply for a green card if they meet specific qualifications.
How an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Lafayette, LA Can Help You
The steps to acquiring H-1B visas could look straightforward but require navigating a complex, frequently vague bureaucracy. An H-1B visa attorney in Lafayette, LA can assist you with this system and gain a desired outcome.
H-1B Cap Issues - One of the most difficult challenges that Louisiana applicants must meet 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. Due to the limited number of approvable visas, 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. An H-1B visa lawyer in Lafayette, LA can help you with preparing your petition so you may ensure proper filing in this selective process.
Application Turnaround Times - Registration to apply for an H-1B visa is normally only allowed during a few weeks in March, and once selected, applicants and their employers only have a few weeks to apply from the date of selection. H-1B lawyers in Lafayette, LA have expertise in this application process and can help ensure that your paperwork is submitted correctly in the fast process.
Employer Visa Sponsorship - Busy employers and their HR teams often turn to Louisiana corporate immigration lawyers to help put together the entire visa application in this heavily regulated legal system. Accuracy and punctuality are vital for visa petitions and your H-1B visa lawyer can help monitor important paperwork and track time limits on your behalf.
Visa Policies Change Frequently - Practically every single year, the policies around H-1B visa adjudication change. An experienced Lafayette, LA immigration lawyer can help you understand those policy changes to make sure your registration and application are prepared accurately.
Get Help from a TN Visa Attorney in Lafayette, LA
Like H-1B visas, TN visas require proper paperwork for both the employer and the Canadian or Mexican citizen applicant. A knowledgeable Lafayette, LA TN visa attorney can walk you through the process to help you achieve a successful outcome.
Eligibility Determination - A TN visa attorney in Lafayette, LA can analyze your or your potential new employee's education and experience to determine if they meet the eligibility requirements 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 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 Lafayette, LA TN visa attorney can help you remain current with any policy changes and the guidance you need for visa renewal. Your TN visa attorney can help you prevent gaps in your visa and maintain your legal employment status.
Employer Compliance - Employers are responsible for complying with immigration and employment laws in Lafayette, LA, which includes staying up to date with visa paperwork, properly document job duties and wages, maintaining Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and additional obligations. One of our Lafayette visa lawyers can coach the necessary staff to remain legally compliant during the process and reduce the risk of audits and legal troubles.
Why You Should Hire an H-1B or TN Visa Attorney in Lafayette, LA
Whether you or your employee needs to apply for an H-1B or TN visa so that they can legally work in Lafayette, LA, it can be a lengthy and extremely complex process. Additionally, erroneous information on any piece of the application may lead to your petition being denied.
A TN visa attorney or H-1B visa lawyer in Lafayette, LA is knowledgeable about the complexities of these visas and can assist you in navigating the required documentation, lotteries, and deadlines that correspond with each one. Furthermore, Lafayette, LA immigration lawyers can aid in your specific situation, such as bringing spouse and children or members of your family to Louisiana with you.
Trust The Visa Pros for Your H-1B and TN Visa Needs in Lafayette, LA
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, who is deeply familiar with the immigration procedures– she immigrated to the USA and went through multiple immigration processes herself! The Weinstock Immigration Lawyers team is multilingual and multicultural, located in Lafayette, LA, and beyond, who possess international expertise and boasts a combined more than 100 years of legal immigration experience.
We take a proactive approach, which has led to us successfully getting approved over 20,000 visa and green card cases. We also have 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 who wants to tap into the global talent pool, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers can help with all of your TN and H-1B visa needs in Lafayette, LA. Get a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.