H-1B Visas in South Portland, ME: What Are They?
An H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa that permits foreign citizens in certain specialized careers to temporarily work and live in South Portland and the entire United States. To qualify for an H-1B, applicants must already have been offered a job in a specialized professional field such as engineering, science, healthcare, education, or IT. Any line of work where employers can show 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 or longer if the employee chooses to apply for permanent residency.
For many, an H-1B visa is the first filing individuals take towards permanent residency and citizenship. holders of H-1B visa may seek permanent residency (a U.S. green card) as sponsored by their South Portland, ME job and then petition to obtain U.S. citizenship.
South Portland, ME TN Visas Explained
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. This includes pharmacists, accountants, engineers, management consultants, and scientists. A full-time U.S. job offer is required for TN visa applicants in South Portland, ME. 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.
To start, TN visas are valid for three years but visa holders can extend them for additional three-year periods. Much like H-1B visas, South Portland, ME TN visa holders are eligible to change to a green card if certain requirements are met.
Challenges an H-1B Visa Lawyer in South Portland, ME Can Help You Overcome
The steps to acquiring H-1B visas could look straightforward but in actuality, they require navigating a complicated, potentially convoluted process. H-1B visa lawyers in South Portland, ME can help you navigate this system and achieve a great result.
Visa Cap Limitations - One of the biggest obstacles that Maine applicants face is the cap on how many new H-1B visas may be issued each year. The cap is set at 65,000 per government fiscal year, with an additional 20,000 visas available under 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.
In 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reported receiving 758,994 eligible registrations and selected 188,400 to apply for the 65,000 available visas. South Portland, ME H-1B visa attorneys can help you take the necessary steps for your petition so your application can have more chances in this process.
Application Deadlines - When applying for an H-1B visa, registration is usually open for only a couple of weeks in March each year, and the selected employers and applicants only have a few weeks after being informed of their selection to apply. Hiring an H-1B visa lawyer in South Portland, ME is a smart move. They are experienced with the process and can assist you in filling out the required forms properly in the limited timeframe.
Employer Sponsorship - Employers who already have a lot on their plates often turn to Maine corporate immigration lawyers to help take the stress of composing the visa application in this legal process that involves many regulations. Accuracy and punctuality are critical for visa applications, and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with organizing essential information and due dates on your behalf.
Shifting Policies - Almost each and every year, the policies around H-1B visa adjudication change. A knowledgeable, skilled South Portland, ME immigration attorney can help you navigate those shifts to make sure your registration and application are prepared completely.
What a TN Visa Lawyer in South Portland, ME Can Do
In similar fashion to H-1B visas, TN visas also require documentation on both the employer's and Mexican or Canadian citizens' sides. An experienced South Portland, ME TN visa lawyer can assist you with this process to a fruitful outcome.
Review Eligibility - South Portland, ME TN visa attorneys can help review your or your potential employee’s education and experience to figure out if they qualify for a TN visa, saving you from potential legal problems in the future. They can also assist you prepare the required documentation 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 TN visa lawyer in South Portland, ME can help you remain current with changes in policy and the guidance you need for visa renewal. They can help you prevent delays in your visa and ensure you can keep legally working.
Employer Compliance - Employers hold the responsibility for complying with South Portland, ME employment and immigration laws, which means staying current with visa paperwork, logging job duties and wages, preserving H-1B visa Public Access Files, and additional obligations. One of our South Portland visa lawyers can prepare and train relevant staff to maintain legal compliance throughout the application and reduce the chance of government audits.
Why Hire an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in South Portland, ME?
Whether you or your employee needs to apply for a TN or H-1B visa to work in South Portland, ME, it can be a complex and time-consuming process. Additionally, erroneous information on any piece of the application may cause your application to be denied.
A TN visa attorney or H-1B visa lawyer in South Portland, ME is experienced in the complications of each visa and can help you understand the necessary paperwork, deadlines, and lotteries correlated with each. Moreover, an H-1B or TN visa lawyer in South Portland, ME can aid in your specific situation, including bringing dependents or members of your family to Maine with you.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in South Portland, ME?
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, and she is deeply familiar with the immigration procedures– she immigrated to the USA and went through various immigration steps personally! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers has a multilingual, multicultural staff in South Portland, Maine and beyond, who have global expertise and over 100 years of legal immigration experience together.
Our proactive perspective has led to us successfully getting approved over 20,000 visa and green card cases. We also have 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 who wants to tap into the global talent pool, trust Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for all of your TN and H-1B visa needs in South Portland, ME. Get in touch today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not ensure a similar outcome.