Ashland, ME H-1B Visas Explained
An H-1B visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa which allows foreign nationals in specialized areas of employment to temporarily work in Ashland, ME and the rest of the United States. To qualify for an H-1B, applicants must already have been offered a job in a professional specialty such as education, technology, science, engineering, or healthcare Any area of work where that the employer can demonstrate that it is required to have a bachelor's degree could be eligible. The initial term for an H-1B visa is three years, but it may be extended up to six years or more if the applicant pursues a green card.
For many, an H-1B visa is the first filing immigrants take when they want to eventually apply for permanent residency and citizenship. Those with an H-1B visa can pursue permanent residency (a U.S. green card) through sponsorship from their Ashland, ME employer and ultimately apply for citizenship.
Ashland, ME TN Visas Explained
Another type of nonimmigrant visa for working professionals is the TN visa, which is 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. This includes pharmacists, accountants, engineers, management consultants, and scientists. Applicants must already have a job offer in the United States (for example in: Ashland, ME) to qualify. Canadian citizens can apply directly at the border or airport and do not need to apply for a visa stamping at the consulate ahead of time, but citizens of Mexico need to have a visa stamped in their passport.
TN visas are initially valid for three years but can be extended for three-year periods at a time. Like H-1B visa applicants, Ashland, ME TN visa holders are eligible to transition to a green card if eligible.
How an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Ashland, ME Can Help You
The steps to acquiring H-1B visas could look straightforward but actually require you to go through a complex, frequently vague bureaucracy. An H-1B visa attorney in Ashland, ME can assist you with this system and achieve a great result.
Visa Caps - One of the biggest obstacles that Maine applicants face is the H-1B visa cap, or the limit on how many new visas can be issued annually. 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, all of your application paperwork must be accurate and submitted properly.
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 Ashland, ME can assist you in preparing your visa application to be more competitive in pursuing this highly selective visa.
Deadlines - The registration window 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 only have a few weeks to apply from the date of selection. Hiring an H-1B visa lawyer in Ashland, ME is a smart move. They are experienced with the process and can help make sure the proper forms and documents are filled out correctly in the fast process.
Required Employer Sponsorship - Busy employers and their HR teams will frequently turn to Maine corporate immigration lawyers to help put together the entire visa application in this legal process that involves many regulations. Accuracy and timeliness are critical for visa applications, and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with keeping track of important information and due dates on your behalf.
Changing Policies - Practically every single year, the policies around H-1B visa adjudication change. An experienced Ashland, ME immigration lawyer can assist you with those adjustments to make sure your registration and application are prepared accurately.
Get Help from a TN Visa Attorney in Ashland, ME
In similar fashion to H-1B visas, TN visas need proper documentation on both the employer's and Mexican or Canadian citizens' sides. An experienced Ashland, ME TN visa lawyer can walk you through the process to help you achieve a successful outcome.
Check for Eligibility - TN visa lawyers in Ashland, ME can analyze your or your potential new employee's education and experience to determine their eligibility for a TN visa, helping save time and prevent future legal issues. They can also help you assemble the necessary paperwork and make sure that a TN visa is the correct one for this situation.
Extensions - Because TN visas must be extended prior to expiration, your TN visa attorney in Ashland, ME can help you stay up to date with any policy changes and the required details needed to renew your visa each time. Your TN visa lawyer can assist you and avert gaps in your visa and continue your legal working status.
Employer Legal Compliance - Employers are responsible for complying with immigration and employment laws in Ashland, ME, which means staying on top of visa documentation, logging job duties and wages, managing Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and additional requirements. Ashland visa lawyers from our team can ensure your team is trained and prepared to maintain legal compliance throughout the application and reduce the chance of government audits.
The Benefits of Hiring an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Ashland, ME
No matter if you or your employee is seeking a TN or H-1B visa to work in Ashland, ME, it can be a time-consuming, complicated process. In addition, mistakes in the application can result in automatic denial.
A TN visa attorney or H-1B visa lawyer in Ashland, ME is experienced in the complications of each visa and can assist in managing the deadlines, lotteries, and correct paperwork that are associated with each one. Furthermore, Ashland, ME immigration lawyers can help with your individual situation, which include additional dependents or close relatives to Maine with you.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Ashland, ME?
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 several immigration procedures herself! The Weinstock Immigration Lawyers team is multilingual and multicultural, located in Ashland, ME, and beyond, who possess international expertise and together, they have more than 100 years of legal immigration experience.
We take a proactive approach, which 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, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers is here for all of your TN and H-1B visa needs in Ashland, ME. Get a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not ensure a similar outcome.