Understanding H-1B Visas in Gaithersburg, MD
Classified as a nonimmigrant visa, the H-1B visa allows foreign nationals in specialized fields of work to work in Gaithersburg, MD and the rest of the U.S. for a specific amount of time. H-1B applicants must have a job offer from a U.S. employer in a specialized profession like science, healthcare, education, technology, or engineering. Any profession where the employer can prove it is required to have a bachelor's degree may qualify. Initially, H-1B visas are valid for three years but 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 towards eventually applying for permanent residency and citizenship. Many H-1B visa applicants file for permanent residency (also called a green card) through sponsorship from their Gaithersburg, MD employer and then petition to obtain U.S. citizenship.
TN Visas for Mexican and Canadian Citizens in Gaithersburg, MD
Another type of nonimmigrant visa for working professionals is the TN visa, which is exclusively for citizens of Canada and Mexico. The qualifications for TN visa applicants are stricter because the list of occupations is finite. This includes pharmacists, accountants, engineers, management consultants, and scientists. TN visa applicants are required to have a U.S. job offer (e.g., in Gaithersburg, MD) in order to qualify. If you are a Canadian citizen, you are able to apply directly at an airport or border 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. Like H-1B visa applicants, Gaithersburg, MD TN visa holders are eligible to transition to a green card if eligible.
Challenges an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Gaithersburg, MD Can Help You Overcome
H-1B visas might appear to be simple but in reality, require working through a complex, frequently vague bureaucracy. An H-1B visa attorney in Gaithersburg, MD can assist you with this system and gain a desired outcome.
H-1B Cap Issues - One of the most difficult challenges that Maryland applicants must meet is the H-1B visa cap, or the limit on how many new visas can be issued annually. Currently, the cap is set at 65,000 visas per fiscal year, plus an additional 20,000 visas allocated through the H-1B advanced degree exemption. With a limited number of visas available, 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. An H-1B visa attorney in Gaithersburg, MD can assist you in preparing your visa application to be more competitive in pursuing this highly selective visa.
Application Turnaround Times - When applying for an H-1B visa, registration is normally only allowed during a few weeks in March, and the selected employers and applicants only have a few weeks after being informed of their selection to apply. An H-1B attorney in Gaithersburg, MD is well-versed in the process and can help ensure that your paperwork is submitted correctly in the small window of opportunity.
Employer Visa Sponsorship - Busy employers and their HR teams will frequently turn to Maryland corporate immigration lawyers to assist the employer with preparing the visa application in this regulated, high-stakes legal process. Timeliness and accuracy are paramount for these applications, and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with organizing essential information and due dates on your behalf.
Policy Changes - Practically every single year, the policies around H-1B visa adjudication change. An immigration lawyer with expertise in Gaithersburg, MD can help you understand and navigate the changes so your registration and application are filed on time and correctly.
How TN Visa Lawyers in Gaithersburg, MD Can Help
Much like H-1B visas, TN visas also require documentation for both parties, the Canadian or Mexican citizen and the employer. An experienced TN visa attorney in Gaithersburg, MD can walk you through the process to help you achieve a successful outcome.
Eligibility - A TN visa lawyer in Gaithersburg, MD can help review your or your potential employee’s qualifications and information to figure out if they qualify for a TN visa, saving you time, headaches, and legal problems. They can also assist you prepare the required documentation and confirm the TN visa is the right type to pursue.
Renewal - Before they expire, TN visas require an extension, and your Gaithersburg, MD TN visa attorney can help keep you updated with potential policy changes and the information needed to renew your visa. Your TN visa attorney can help you prevent gaps in your visa and retain your legal right to work.
Employer Legal Compliance - The duty for Gaithersburg, MD immigration and employment compliance lies with the employer, which means staying current with visa paperwork, recording wages and job assignments, preserving H-1B visa Public Access Files, along with other requirements. Your Gaithersburg visa lawyers can ensure your team is trained and prepared to remain legally compliant during the process and minimize the risk of running into legal problems.
The Benefits of Hiring an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Gaithersburg, MD
If you or a potential employee is pursuing an H-1B or TN visa so that they can legally work in Gaithersburg, MD, it can be a lengthy and extremely complex 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 Gaithersburg, MD is familiar with the intricacies of these visas and can assist in managing the deadlines, lotteries, and correct paperwork correlated with each. In addition, a TN visa lawyer or H-1B attorney in Gaithersburg, MD can help with your individual situation, especially if you need to bring dependents and immediate family members to Maryland with you.
Trust The Visa Pros for Your H-1B and TN Visa Needs in Gaithersburg, MD
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, and she is deeply familiar with the immigration procedures– she migrated to the United States and went through various immigration steps personally! The Weinstock team is made up of multilingual, multicultural staff in Gaithersburg, MD, and throughout, who possess international expertise and a combined over 100 years of legal immigration experience.
Our proactive perspective 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.* No matter if you're an individual hoping to secure a temporary visa in the U.S. or an employer ready to hire the best global talent, trust Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for all of your TN and H-1B visa needs in Gaithersburg, MD. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior outcomes do not guarantee similar results.