Shreveport, LA H-1B Visas Explained
Classified as a nonimmigrant visa, the H-1B visa allows foreign nationals in specialized areas of employment to work in Shreveport, LA 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 professional field like science, healthcare, education, technology, or engineering. Any profession where the hiring company can prove it is required to have a bachelor's degree may qualify. H-1B visas are initially three years long but may be extended to a total of six years and potentially more if the applicant pursues a green card.
Frequently, obtaining an H-1B visa is the first step towards permanent residency and citizenship. Many H-1B visa applicants file for permanent residency (also known as a green card) sponsored by their Shreveport, LA employer and then apply for United States citizenship.
TN Visas for Mexican and Canadian Citizens in Shreveport, LA
TN visas are another temporary work visa type, but they are specifically for Canadian and Mexican citizens. The list of occupations for TN visas is closed, so this visa type has more stringent qualifications. These occupations include management consultants, scientists, accountants, engineers, and pharmacists. In order to qualify for a TN visa, applicants must have a full-time U.S. job offer (ex.: in Shreveport, LA). If you are a Canadian citizen, you are able to apply directly at an airport or border and don’t have to go to a consulate to get a visa stamped, however, Mexican citizens must apply for a visa ahead of time.
The initial length of a TN visa is three years but can be extended by three-year increments each time. Much like H-1B visas, TN visa holders in Shreveport, LA are able to shift to a green card if they meet specific qualifications.
Do I Need a Lawyer for an H-1B Visa in Shreveport, LA?
The steps to acquiring H-1B visas could look straightforward but require navigating a complex, frequently vague bureaucracy. An H-1B visa attorney in Shreveport, LA can assist you with this system and achieve a great result.
Visa Caps - 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 current Congressional cap per fiscal year is 65,000, plus an additional 20,000 visas allocated through the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Since visas are severely limited and many apply, 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 attorney in Shreveport, LA can assist you in preparing your visa application so your application can have more chances in this process.
Dates To Remember - Registration to apply for an H-1B visa is routinely open for a few short weeks each March, and then applicants and employers who are selected have just a few more weeks after being notified during which to apply. If you work with an H-1B lawyer in Shreveport, LA, they are familiar with this process and can help make sure the proper forms and documents are filled out correctly in the limited timeframe.
Sponsorship by Employers - Employers have a lot to manage, so they commonly look to Louisiana corporate immigration attorneys to help put together the entire visa application in this regulated, high-stakes legal process. Timeliness and accuracy are vital for visa petitions and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with organizing essential information and manage deadlines for you.
Visa Policies Change Frequently - Nearly every year, the policies around H-1B visa adjudication change. An immigration lawyer with expertise in Shreveport, LA can help you navigate those shifts to make sure your registration and application are prepared properly.
How TN Visa Lawyers in Shreveport, LA Can Help
Like H-1B visas, TN visas require proper paperwork on both the employer's and Mexican or Canadian citizens' sides. A knowledgeable Shreveport, LA TN visa attorney can assist you with this process to a fruitful outcome.
Eligibility - Shreveport, LA TN visa attorneys can assess your or your potential new hire's information and qualifications to figure out if they qualify for a TN visa, saving you time, headaches, and legal problems. They can also help prepare the necessary paperwork for this process and ensure that a TN visa is the right choice for your situation.
Visa Renewal - Because TN visas must be extended prior to expiration, your Shreveport, LA TN visa attorney can help you stay up to date with changes in policy and the information needed to renew your visa. They can help you prevent delays in your visa and ensure you can keep legally working.
Employer Compliance Requirements - The duty for Shreveport, LA immigration and employment compliance lies with the employer, which means keeping up with visa documentation, recording wages and job assignments, maintaining Public Access Files for H-1B visas, along with other requirements. One of our Shreveport visa lawyers can coach the necessary staff to remain legally compliant during the process and reduce the chance of government audits.
The Benefits of Hiring an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Shreveport, LA
If you or a potential employee is pursuing an H-1B or TN visa to work in Shreveport, LA, it can be a lengthy and extremely complex 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 Shreveport, LA is knowledgeable about the intricacies of each visa type and can assist you in navigating the deadlines, lotteries, and correct paperwork that are associated with each one. In addition, a TN visa lawyer or H-1B attorney in Shreveport, LA can assist with your unique situation, especially if you need to bring dependents and immediate family members to Louisiana with you.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Shreveport, LA?
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, who is intimately familiar with the United States immigration process – she immigrated to the USA and went through several immigration procedures herself! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers is comprised of team members who are multilingual and multicultural in Shreveport, Louisiana, with wide-reaching expertise and a combined over 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're proud to have one of the highest approval rates in the industry with only 1% of cases being denied.* 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 can help with all of your TN and H-1B visa needs in Shreveport, LA. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not ensure a similar outcome.