H-1B Visas in Kittery, ME: What Are They?
An H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa that permits foreign citizens in specialized fields of work to temporarily work in Kittery, ME and the rest of the United States. H-1B applicants must have a job offer from a U.S. employer in a specialized professional field such as engineering, science, healthcare, education, or IT. Any professional field where the hiring company can prove it is required to have a bachelor's degree may qualify. The initial term for an H-1B visa is three years, but it may be extended to a total of six years and even longer if the applicant decides to apply for permanent residency.
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) sponsored by their Kittery, ME employer and ultimately apply for citizenship.
TN Visas in Kittery, ME: What Are They?
TN visas are another type of nonimmigrant visa for professionals, designated for Mexican and Canadian citizens. There are stricter qualifications for TN visas because the list of occupations is restricted. 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 Kittery, ME). Canadian citizens can apply directly at the border or airport and do not need to have a visa stamped at the consulate, but Mexican citizens must obtain a visa stamp.
To start, TN visas are valid for three years but can be extended for three-year periods at a time. Like H-1B visa applicants, Kittery, ME TN visa holders are eligible to change to a green card if certain requirements are met.
How an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Kittery, ME Can Help You
The steps to acquiring H-1B visas could look straightforward but in actuality, they require navigating a complicated, potentially convoluted process. Kittery, ME H-1B visa attorneys can help guide you through this system and obtain a successful outcome.
Visa Cap Limitations - The main challenge Maine applicants must overcome is the H-1B visa cap, or the limit on how many new visas can be issued annually. The current Congressional cap per fiscal year is 65,000, with 20,000 additional visas issued through the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Since visas are severely limited and many apply, it's imperative you ensure your paperwork is submitted accurately with all the right information.
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 Kittery, ME can help you with preparing your petition and be more competitive in this highly selective process.
Deadlines - When applying for an H-1B visa, registration is routinely open for a few short weeks each March, and then applicants and employers who are selected only have a few weeks after being informed of their selection to apply. An H-1B attorney in Kittery, ME is well-versed in the process and can help make sure your application has been filed correctly in the limited timeframe.
Sponsorship by Employers - Busy employers and their HR teams often turn to Maine corporate immigration lawyers to help take the stress of composing the visa application in this highly-regulated legal process. Accuracy and punctuality are paramount for these applications, and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with organizing essential information and due dates on your behalf.
Policy Changes - Practically every single year, the policies around H-1B visa adjudication change. An experienced Kittery, ME immigration lawyer can help you navigate those shifts to make sure your registration and application are finalized accurately.
How a TN Visa Attorney in Kittery, ME Can Help You
Like H-1B visas, TN visas require proper paperwork for both parties, the Canadian or Mexican citizen and the employer. An experienced Kittery, ME TN visa lawyer can help you navigate this process to a successful outcome.
Review Eligibility - TN visa lawyers in Kittery, ME can review your or your future employee's educational background and experience to determine if they meet the eligibility requirements for a TN visa, saving you time, headaches, and legal problems. They can also assist you with the necessary documents and make sure that the TN visa is the right one for your employee.
Visa Extension - TN visas must be renewed before their expiration, so your Kittery, ME TN visa attorney can help keep you updated with any policy changes and the information needed to renew your visa. Your TN visa lawyer can assist you and avert gaps in your visa and maintain your legal employment status.
Employer Compliance Requirements - The duty for Kittery, ME immigration and employment compliance lies with the employer, which means staying current with visa paperwork, recording wages and job assignments, managing Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and additional obligations. One of our Kittery visa lawyers can ensure your team is trained and prepared to maintain legal compliance throughout the application and minimize the risk of running into legal problems.
Why Hire an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Kittery, ME?
Whether you or your employee is seeking an H-1B or TN visa to work in Kittery, ME, it can be a time-consuming, complicated process. Additionally, erroneous information on any piece of the application may cause your application to be denied.
An H-1B visa attorney or TN visa lawyer in Kittery, ME is knowledgeable about the intricacies of each visa type and can help you work through the required documentation, lotteries, and deadlines associated with them. Additionally, an H-1B visa lawyer in Kittery, ME can adjust to special circumstances, such as bringing spouse and children and immediate family members to Maine with you.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Kittery, ME?
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, and she understands the immigration procedures deeply – she moved to the United States and went through various immigration steps personally! The Weinstock team is made up of multilingual, multicultural staff in Kittery, ME, and throughout, who have global expertise and a combined over 100 years of legal immigration experience.
Our forward-thinking attitude means we have over 20,000 approved cases of visas and green cards. We're proud to have one of the highest approval rates in the industry with only 1% of cases being denied.* 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 your H-1B and TN visa needs in Kittery, ME. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.