Understanding H-1B Visas in Ashton, MD
H-1B visas are a type of nonimmigrant visa that permits foreign citizens in certain specialized careers to temporarily work in Ashton, MD and the rest of the United States. In order to apply for an H-1B, applicants must already have a job offer in a highly-specialized industry including healthcare, engineering, IT, science, education. Any line of work where the employer can prove a bachelor’s degree is the minimum entry requirement may qualify. H-1B visas are initially three years long but may be extended to a total of six years and potentially more if the employee chooses to apply for permanent residency.
Often, an H-1B is the first application towards eventually applying for permanent residency and citizenship. holders of H-1B visa may seek permanent residency (a U.S. green card) sponsored by their Ashton, MD employer and then apply for United States citizenship.
TN Visas for Mexican and Canadian Citizens in Ashton, MD
Another type of work visa for professionals is the TN visa, which is specifically for Canadian and Mexican 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. TN visa applicants are required to have a U.S. job offer (e.g., in Ashton, MD) in order to qualify. 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.
TN visas are initially valid for three years but can be extended for additional three-year periods. Much like H-1B visas, TN visa holders in Ashton, MD are able to transition to a green card if eligible.
What an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Ashton, MD Can Help You With
The steps to acquiring H-1B visas could look straightforward but actually require you to go through a complex, potentially convoluted process. H-1B visa lawyers in Ashton, MD can help you navigate this system and successfully petition your visa.
Cap Limitations - The main challenge Maryland applicants must overcome 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, and then 20,000 additional visas in the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Due to the limited number of approvable visas, it's critical that your paperwork is submitted correctly and with accurate information.
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. An H-1B visa lawyer in Ashton, MD can help you prepare your application to be more competitive in pursuing this highly selective visa.
Deadlines - Registration to apply for an H-1B visa is typically open for just a few weeks in March, and the selected employers and applicants only have a few weeks after being informed of their selection to apply. H-1B lawyers in Ashton, MD have expertise in this application process and can help make sure your application has been filed correctly in the short turnaround time.
Employer Sponsorship - Employers have a lot to manage, so they often turn to Maryland corporate immigration lawyers to help take the stress of composing the visa application in this highly-regulated legal process. Accuracy and punctuality are vital for visa petitions and your H-1B visa lawyer can help keep track of essential information and deadlines on your behalf.
Policy Changes - Almost each and every year, changes are made to H-1B visa adjudications. An immigration lawyer with expertise in Ashton, MD can help you understand those policy changes so your registration and application are filed on time and accurately.
How TN Visa Lawyers in Ashton, MD Can Help
In similar fashion to H-1B visas, TN visas require proper paperwork for both the employer and the Canadian or Mexican citizen applicant. A TN visa lawyer in Ashton, MD with experience can guide you through this process to the desired outcome.
Check for Eligibility - TN visa lawyers in Ashton, MD can help review your or your potential employee’s qualifications and information to determine if they meet the eligibility requirements for a TN visa, saving you time, effort, and potential legal difficulties. They can also help you assemble the necessary paperwork and make sure that the TN visa is the right one for your employee.
Renewal - Before they expire, TN visas require an extension, and your Ashton, MD TN visa lawyer can help keep you updated with potential policy changes and the necessary information that you need to renew your visa. They can help you avoid delays in your visa and retain your legal right to work.
Employer Legal Compliance - Employers are responsible for complying with immigration and employment laws in Ashton, MD, which means staying current with visa paperwork, recording wages and job assignments, managing Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and many more obligations. One of our Ashton visa lawyers can prepare and train relevant staff to maintain legal compliance throughout the application and reduce the chance of government audits.
Why You Should Hire an H-1B or TN Visa Attorney in Ashton, MD
Whether you or your employee is seeking an H-1B or TN visa so that they can legally work in Ashton, MD, it can be a lengthy and extremely complex process. Additionally, erroneous information on any piece of the application can cause it to be denied outright.
A TN visa attorney or H-1B visa lawyer in Ashton, MD is knowledgeable about the complexities of these visas and can help you understand the necessary paperwork, deadlines, and lotteries correlated with each. Moreover, an H-1B or TN visa lawyer in Ashton, MD can aid in your specific situation, especially if you need to bring dependents or members of your family to Maryland with you.
Trust The Visa Pros for Your H-1B and TN Visa Needs in Ashton, MD
Karen Weinstock started Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she is deeply familiar with the immigration procedures– she relocated to the U.S. and went through multiple immigration processes herself! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers has a multilingual, multicultural staff in Ashton, Maryland and beyond, who have global expertise and over 100 years of legal immigration experience together.
Our forward-thinking attitude has led to us successfully getting approved over 20,000 visa and green card cases. That's one of the highest approval rates in the industry, with only a 1% denial rate.* If you're trying to get a work visa to legally work in the United States or an employer seeking to take advantage of the best talent the world has to offer, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers can help with your TN and H-1B visa needs in Ashton, MD. Get a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Prior outcomes do not guarantee similar results.