Orono, ME H-1B Visas Explained
H-1B visas are a type of nonimmigrant visa that allows citizens of foreign countries in particular job industries to temporarily work in Orono, ME and the rest of the United States. Potential H-1B applicants are required to have a job offer in a professional specialty such as engineering, science, healthcare, education, or IT. Any professional field where that the employer can demonstrate that it is necessary to have a bachelor's degree might qualify. H-1B visas are initially three years long but may be extended to a total of six years or more if the applicant decides to apply for permanent residency.
Often, an H-1B is the first application towards permanent residency and citizenship. Those with an H-1B visa can pursue permanent residency (also called a green card) as sponsored by their Orono, ME job and then apply for United States citizenship.
TN Visas for Mexican and Canadian Citizens in Orono, ME
TN visas are another temporary work visa type, but they are specifically for Canadian and Mexican 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. In order to qualify for a TN visa, applicants must have a full-time U.S. job offer (ex.: in Orono, ME). If you are a Canadian citizen, you are able to apply directly at an airport or border 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.
To start, TN visas are valid for three years but can be extended by three-year increments each time. Like H-1B visa applicants, TN visa holders in Orono, ME are able to shift to a green card if certain requirements are met.
How an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Orono, ME Can Help You
H-1B visas may seem straightforward but require navigating a complex, often convoluted system. An H-1B visa lawyer in Orono, ME can help you work through this system and successfully petition your visa.
Cap Limitations - The biggest hurdle Maine applicants encounter is the H-1B visa cap, or the limit on how many new visas can be issued annually. The annual cap is currently set at 65,000 visas per fiscal year, and then 20,000 additional visas in the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Since H-1B visas are extremely limited and in high demand, 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 Orono, ME can assist you in preparing your visa application and be more competitive in this highly selective process.
Dates To Remember - When applying for an H-1B visa, registration is typically open for just 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 Orono, ME have expertise in this application process and can assist you in filling out the required forms properly in the limited timeframe.
Required Employer Sponsorship - Employers have a lot to manage, so they commonly look to Maine corporate immigration attorneys to help put together the entire visa application in this heavily regulated legal system. Accuracy and timeliness are critical for visa applications, and your H-1B visa lawyer can help keep track of essential information and manage deadlines for you.
Changing Policies - Almost each and every year, H-1B adjudication policies change. An experienced immigration attorney in Orono, ME can help you understand and navigate the changes to make sure your registration and application are prepared correctly.
Get Help from a TN Visa Attorney in Orono, ME
In similar fashion to H-1B visas, TN visas need proper documentation from both the applicant and the employer. An experienced Orono, ME TN visa lawyer can help you navigate this process to a successful outcome.
Check for Eligibility - TN visa lawyers in Orono, ME can assess your or your potential new hire's qualifications and information to determine their eligibility for a TN visa, saving you time, headaches, and legal problems. They can also assist you with the necessary documents and make sure that a TN visa is the correct one for this situation.
Visa Extension - Since TN visas must be renewed before they expire, your Orono, ME TN visa lawyer can help you stay up to date with changing policies and the information needed to renew your visa. Your TN visa lawyer can assist you and avert gaps in your visa and ensure you can keep legally working.
Employer Visa Compliance - Employers are responsible for complying with immigration and employment laws in Orono, ME, which means staying on top of visa documentation, recording wages and job assignments, preserving H-1B visa Public Access Files, and additional requirements. One of our Orono visa lawyers can ensure your team is trained and prepared to maintain compliance throughout the petition and minimize the chances of a government audit.
Why You Should Hire an H-1B or TN Visa Attorney in Orono, ME
If you or a potential employee is pursuing a TN or H-1B visa for temporary work in Orono, ME, the process can be complicated and taxing. Additionally, erroneous information on any piece of the application may cause your application to be denied.
Orono, ME H-1B or TN visa attorneys are knowledgeable about the intricacies of each visa type and can help you understand the deadlines, lotteries, and correct paperwork correlated with each. Furthermore, Orono, ME immigration lawyers can adjust to special circumstances, such as bringing spouse and children or other immediate relatives with you to Maine.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Orono, ME?
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, who understands the immigration procedures deeply – she moved to the United States and went through various immigration steps personally! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers has a multilingual, multicultural staff in Orono, Maine and beyond, who have global 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. That gives us one of the highest approval rates in the industry, with only a 1% denial rate.* Whether you're attempting to get a work visa in the U.S. or an employer seeking to take advantage of the best talent the world has to offer, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers is here for your TN and H-1B visa needs in Orono, ME. Contact us for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.