Understanding H-1B Visas in Lewiston, ME
An H-1B visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa which authorizes foreign nationals in particular job industries to work in Lewiston, ME and the rest of the U.S. for a specific amount of time. H-1B applicants must have a job offer from a U.S. employer in a specialized professional field like science, healthcare, education, technology, or engineering. Any profession where that the employer can demonstrate that a bachelor’s degree is the minimum entry requirement might qualify. The initial term for an H-1B visa is three years, but it may be extended up to six years or more if the employee applies for permanent residency.
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 (also known as a green card) via sponsorship through their Lewiston, ME job and then apply for United States citizenship.
TN Visas for Mexican and Canadian Citizens in Lewiston, ME
TN visas are another temporary work visa type, but they are 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. It includes accountants, engineers, pharmacists, management consultants, and scientists. Applicants must already have a job offer in the United States (for example in: Lewiston, ME) to qualify. For Canadian citizens, you can apply directly at the border or at the airport and do not need to have a visa stamped at the consulate, but Mexican citizens must obtain a visa stamp.
TN visas are initially valid for three years but can be extended for additional three-year periods. Similar to H-1B visas, TN visa holders in Lewiston, ME can shift to a green card if certain requirements are met.
Challenges an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Lewiston, ME Can Help You Overcome
H-1B visas could seem simple but actually require you to go through a complex, potentially convoluted process. An H-1B visa attorney in Lewiston, ME can assist you with this system and gain a desired outcome.
Visa Cap Limitations - One of the most difficult challenges that Maine applicants must meet is the cap on how many new H-1B visas may be issued each year. 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 H-1B visas are extremely limited and in high demand, all of your application paperwork must be accurate and submitted properly.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reported receiving 758,994 eligible registrations in 2023, and selected 188,400 to apply for just 65,000 available H-1B visas. An H-1B visa lawyer in Lewiston, ME can help you with preparing your petition so you may ensure proper filing in this selective process.
Dates To Remember - Registration for H-1B visa application is usually open for only a couple of weeks in March each year, and the selected employers and applicants have just a few more weeks after being notified during which to apply. If you work with an H-1B lawyer in Lewiston, ME, they are familiar with this process and can assist you in filling out the required forms properly in the fast process.
Required Employer Sponsorship - Employers who want to file correctly normally will hire Maine corporate immigration attorneys to help take the stress of composing the visa application in this legal process that involves many regulations. Precision and timeliness are critical for visa applications, and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with keeping track of important information and track time limits on your behalf.
Changing Policies - Almost each and every year, changes are made to H-1B visa adjudications. An immigration lawyer with expertise in Lewiston, ME can help you navigate those shifts so your registration and application are filed on time and properly.
Get Help from a TN Visa Attorney in Lewiston, ME
In similar fashion to H-1B visas, TN visas also require documentation for both parties, the Canadian or Mexican citizen and the employer. An experienced TN visa attorney in Lewiston, ME can assist you with this process to a fruitful outcome.
Review Eligibility - TN visa lawyers in Lewiston, 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 the TN visa is the right one for your employee.
Extensions - TN visas must be renewed before their expiration, so your Lewiston, ME TN visa attorney can help you stay up to date with changes in policy and the guidance you need for visa renewal. They can help you avoid delays in your visa and maintain your legal employment status.
Employer Visa Compliance - The duty for Lewiston, ME immigration and employment compliance lies with the employer, which means staying current with visa paperwork, logging job duties and wages, keeping H-1B visa Public Access Files, and many more obligations. Your Lewiston visa lawyers can train and prepare your staff members 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 Lewiston, ME
Whether you or your employee is seeking an H-1B or TN visa to work in Lewiston, 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 lawyer or TN visa attorney in Lewiston, ME is familiar with the intricacies of these visas and can assist you in navigating the required documentation, lotteries, and deadlines correlated with each. Furthermore, Lewiston, ME immigration lawyers can help with your individual situation, including bringing dependents or close relatives to Maine with you.
Trust The Visa Pros for Your H-1B and TN Visa Needs in Lewiston, ME
Karen Weinstock established Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she is intimately familiar with the United States immigration process – she migrated to the United States and has navigated a few immigration filings herself! The Weinstock team is made up of multilingual, multicultural staff in Lewiston, ME, and throughout, with worldwide expertise and boasts a combined 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. That's 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 H-1B and TN visas in Lewiston, ME. Contact us for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not ensure a similar outcome.