Understanding H-1B Visas in Scarborough, ME
An H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows foreign nationals in specialized areas of employment to temporarily work in Scarborough, ME and the rest of the United States. To qualify for an H-1B, applicants must already have been offered a job in a specialized profession including healthcare, engineering, IT, science, education. Any area of work where the employer can prove it is required to have a bachelor's degree could be eligible. H-1B visas are initially three years long but have the option to be extended up to six years or more if the employee chooses to apply for permanent residency.
Typically, securing an H-1B visa is the first step immigrants take when they want to eventually apply for permanent residency and citizenship. Many H-1B visa applicants file for permanent residency (a U.S. green card) as sponsored by their Scarborough, ME job and then apply for United States citizenship.
What Is a TN Visa in Scarborough, ME?
TN visas are another type of nonimmigrant visa for professionals, designated for Mexican and Canadian 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. Applicants must already have a job offer in the United States (for example in: Scarborough, ME) to qualify. 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, 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 for additional three-year periods. Akin to H-1B visa holders, those with a TN visa in Scarborough, ME can choose to change to a green card if eligible.
Challenges an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Scarborough, ME Can Help You Overcome
H-1B visas might appear to be simple but in actuality, they require navigating a complicated, frequently vague bureaucracy. An H-1B visa attorney in Scarborough, ME can assist you with this system and obtain a successful outcome.
Visa Caps - One of the most difficult challenges that Maine applicants must meet 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, with an additional 20,000 visas available under the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Due to the limited number of approvable visas, 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 Scarborough, ME can help you prepare your application and be more competitive in this highly selective process.
Application Turnaround Times - The registration window to apply for an H-1B visa is normally only allowed during a few weeks in March, and then applicants and employers who are selected have just a few more weeks after being notified during which to apply. H-1B lawyers in Scarborough, ME have expertise in this application process and can help make sure the proper forms and documents are filled out correctly in the limited timeframe.
Required Employer Sponsorship - Employers who want to file correctly often turn to Maine corporate immigration lawyers to help alleviate the stress of preparing the employer’s portion of the application in this legal process that involves many regulations. Timeliness and accuracy are vital for visa petitions and your H-1B visa lawyer can help keep track of essential information and track time limits on your behalf.
Visa Policies Change Frequently - Nearly every year, the policies around H-1B visa adjudication change. A knowledgeable, skilled Scarborough, ME immigration attorney can help you understand those policy changes so your registration and application are filed on time and correctly.
How a TN Visa Attorney in Scarborough, ME Can Help You
In similar fashion to H-1B visas, TN visas also require documentation for both parties, the Canadian or Mexican citizen and the employer. A knowledgeable Scarborough, ME TN visa attorney can assist you with this process to a fruitful outcome.
Eligibility - A TN visa attorney in Scarborough, ME can help review your or your potential employee’s education and experience to determine if they meet the eligibility requirements for a TN visa, saving you time, effort, and potential legal difficulties. They can also help prepare the necessary paperwork for this process and make sure that the TN visa is the right one for your employee.
Extensions - Before they expire, TN visas require an extension, and your Scarborough, ME TN visa attorney can help keep you updated with changes in policy and the information needed to renew your visa. They can help you prevent delays in your visa and retain your legal right to work.
Employer Compliance - Employers are responsible for complying with immigration and employment laws in Scarborough, ME, 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 Scarborough visa lawyers can ensure your team is trained and prepared to remain legally compliant during the process and reduce the risk of audits and legal troubles.
Why You Should Hire an H-1B or TN Visa Attorney in Scarborough, ME
Whether you or your employee needs to apply for an H-1B or TN visa to work in Scarborough, ME, the process can be complicated and taxing. Sometimes, an inaccurate piece of information on the application can result in automatic denial.
A TN visa attorney or H-1B visa lawyer in Scarborough, ME is knowledgeable about the complexities of these visas and can assist in managing the required documentation, lotteries, and deadlines that are associated with each one. Moreover, an H-1B or TN visa lawyer in Scarborough, ME can adjust to special circumstances, which include additional dependents or close relatives to Maine with you.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Scarborough, ME?
Karen Weinstock established Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she intimately understands the immigration process – she moved to the United States and went through several immigration procedures herself! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers has a multilingual, multicultural staff in Scarborough, Maine and beyond, with worldwide expertise and boasts a combined more than 100 years of legal immigration experience.
We take a proactive approach, which 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 ready to hire the best global talent, trust Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for your TN and H-1B visa needs in Scarborough, ME. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior outcomes do not guarantee similar results.