H-1B Visas in Berlin, MD: What Are They?
An H-1B visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa which allows citizens of foreign countries in specialized areas of employment to temporarily work in Berlin, MD and the rest of the United States. Potential H-1B applicants are required to have a job offer in a professional specialty including healthcare, engineering, IT, science, education. Any area of work where that the employer can demonstrate that a bachelor’s degree is the minimum entry requirement could potentially fit. Initially, H-1B visas are valid for three years but can be extended to a six-year maximum and potentially more if the employee chooses to apply for permanent residency.
Frequently, obtaining an H-1B visa is the first step immigrants take when they want to eventually apply for permanent residency and citizenship. H-1B visa holders may apply for permanent residency (also called a green card) as sponsored by their Berlin, MD job and then apply for United States citizenship.
What Is a TN Visa in Berlin, MD?
Another type of work visa for professionals is the TN visa, which is 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. In order to qualify for a TN visa, applicants must have a full-time U.S. job offer (ex.: in Berlin, MD). Canadian citizens can apply directly at the border or airport and need not obtain a visa stamp at a consulate ahead of time, but citizens of Mexico need to have a visa stamped in their passport.
TN visas are valid for three years initially but can be extended for additional three-year periods. Much like H-1B visas, those with a TN visa in Berlin, MD can choose to shift to a green card if eligible.
Do I Need a Lawyer for an H-1B Visa in Berlin, MD?
H-1B visas could seem simple but actually require you to go through a complex, frequently vague bureaucracy. An H-1B visa attorney in Berlin, MD can assist you with this system and obtain a successful outcome.
H-1B Cap Issues - The biggest hurdle Maryland applicants encounter is the annual cap placed on how many new H-1B visas are issued. The cap is set at 65,000 per government fiscal year, with 20,000 additional visas issued through the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Since visas are severely limited and many apply, your paperwork must be without errors and submitted correctly.
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 Berlin, MD can help you prepare your application and be more competitive in this highly selective process.
Application Turnaround Times - Registration to apply for an H-1B visa is normally only allowed during a few weeks in March, 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 Berlin, MD, they are familiar with this process and can help make sure your application has been filed correctly in the small window of opportunity.
Required Employer Sponsorship - Busy employers and their HR teams commonly look to Maryland corporate immigration attorneys to assist the employer with preparing the visa application in this legal process that involves many regulations. Timeliness and accuracy are crucial for visa applications, and your H-1B visa lawyer can help monitor important paperwork and track time limits on your behalf.
Policy Changes - Just about each year, H-1B adjudication policies change. An experienced immigration attorney in Berlin, MD can help you understand and navigate the changes to make sure your registration and application are prepared correctly.
What a TN Visa Lawyer in Berlin, MD Can Do
In similar fashion to H-1B visas, TN visas need proper documentation for both the employer and the Canadian or Mexican citizen applicant. A TN visa lawyer in Berlin, MD with experience can guide you through this process to the desired outcome.
Eligibility - A TN visa attorney in Berlin, MD can review your or your future employee's education and experience to determine if they meet the eligibility requirements for a TN visa, helping save time and prevent future legal issues. They can also help you assemble the necessary paperwork and confirm the TN visa is the right type to pursue.
Renewal - Because TN visas must be extended prior to expiration, your TN visa attorney in Berlin, MD can help you remain current with changes in policy and the information needed to renew your visa. They can help you prevent delays in your visa and ensure you can keep legally working.
Employer Visa Compliance - Employers hold the responsibility for complying with Berlin, MD employment and immigration laws, which means keeping up with visa documentation, properly document job duties and wages, preserving H-1B visa Public Access Files, along with other requirements. Your Berlin visa attorneys can prepare and train relevant staff to maintain compliance throughout the petition and minimize the chances of a government audit.
The Benefits of Hiring an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Berlin, MD
No matter if you or your employee is seeking an H-1B or TN visa so that they can legally work in Berlin, MD, the process can be complicated and taxing. Sometimes, an inaccurate piece of information on the application may lead to your petition being denied.
Berlin, MD H-1B or TN visa attorneys are experienced in the complications of each visa and can help you work through the required documentation, lotteries, and deadlines correlated with each. Moreover, an H-1B or TN visa lawyer in Berlin, MD can help with your individual situation, including bringing dependents or other immediate relatives with you to Maryland.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Berlin, MD?
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, and she understands the immigration procedures deeply – she relocated to the U.S. and has navigated a few immigration filings herself! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers has a multilingual, multicultural staff in Berlin, Maryland and beyond, with worldwide expertise and together, they have more than 100 years of legal immigration experience.
Our forward-thinking attitude has resulted in over 20,000 cases of approved visas and green cards. 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 hoping to hire global talent, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for your H-1B and TN visa needs in Berlin, MD. Contact us for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior outcomes do not guarantee similar results.