H-1B Visas in Georgetown, MD: What Are They?
Classified as a nonimmigrant visa, the H-1B visa allows foreign nationals in particular job industries to temporarily work in Georgetown, MD and the rest of the United States. 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 area of work where employers can show it is necessary to have a bachelor's degree might qualify. The initial term for an H-1B visa is three years, but it have the option to be extended up to six years or more if the employee applies 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. holders of H-1B visa may seek permanent residency (also called a green card) through sponsorship from their Georgetown, MD employer and ultimately apply for citizenship.
Georgetown, MD TN Visas Explained
Another type of nonimmigrant visa for working professionals is the TN visa, which is specifically for Canadian and Mexican citizens. The qualifications for TN visa applicants are stricter because the list of occupations is finite. It includes accountants, engineers, pharmacists, management consultants, and scientists. In order to qualify for a TN visa, applicants must have a full-time U.S. job offer (ex.: in Georgetown, MD). For Canadian citizens, you can apply directly at the border or at the airport and do not need to apply for a visa stamping at the consulate ahead of time, but Mexican citizens must go to a consulate to apply for a visa.
TN visas are initially valid for three years but can be extended for three-year periods at a time. Akin to H-1B visa holders, TN visa holders in Georgetown, MD are able to change to a green card if they are qualified.
Do I Need a Lawyer for an H-1B Visa in Georgetown, MD?
H-1B visas might appear to be simple but in actuality, they require navigating a complicated, frequently vague bureaucracy. Georgetown, MD H-1B visa attorneys can help guide you through this system and gain a desired outcome.
H-1B Cap Issues - One of the biggest obstacles that Maryland applicants face is the cap on the number of new H-1B visas that may be issued yearly. Currently, the cap is set at 65,000 visas per fiscal year, and then 20,000 additional visas in the H-1B advanced degree exemption. With a limited number of visas available, your paperwork must be without errors and submitted correctly.
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 Georgetown, MD can help you prepare your application so your application can have more chances in this process.
Application Turnaround Times - The registration window to apply for an H-1B visa is typically open for just a few weeks in March, and once selected, applicants and their employers have a few short weeks to apply once they've been notified of selection. H-1B lawyers in Georgetown, MD have expertise in this application process and can help make sure the proper forms and documents are filled out correctly in the limited timeframe.
Employer Sponsorship - Busy employers and their HR teams often turn to Maryland corporate immigration lawyers to help take the stress of composing the visa application in this regulated, high-stakes legal process. Accuracy and punctuality are paramount for these applications, and your H-1B visa lawyer can help monitor important paperwork and track time limits on your behalf.
Shifting Policies - Practically every single year, changes are made to H-1B visa adjudications. An experienced Georgetown, MD immigration lawyer can help you understand and navigate the changes to make sure your registration and application are prepared properly.
Get Help from a TN Visa Attorney in Georgetown, MD
In similar fashion to H-1B visas, TN visas require proper paperwork for both parties, the Canadian or Mexican citizen and the employer. An experienced TN visa attorney in Georgetown, MD can assist you with this process to a fruitful outcome.
Eligibility - A TN visa attorney in Georgetown, MD can assess your or your potential new hire's education and experience to help decide if they meet the requirements for a TN visa, saving you from potential legal problems in the future. They can also help prepare the necessary paperwork for this process and confirm the TN visa is the right type to pursue.
Extensions - Before they expire, TN visas require an extension, and your TN visa lawyer in Georgetown, MD can help you remain current with changing policies and the required details needed to renew your visa each time. Your TN visa attorney can help you prevent gaps in your visa and retain your legal right to work.
Employer Compliance - Employers are responsible for complying with immigration and employment laws in Georgetown, MD, which means staying on top of visa documentation, properly document job duties and wages, keeping H-1B visa Public Access Files, and additional obligations. Your Georgetown visa lawyers can prepare and train relevant staff to maintain compliance throughout the petition and minimize the chances of a government audit.
Why Hire an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Georgetown, MD?
If you or a potential employee is pursuing an H-1B or TN visa to work in Georgetown, MD, the process can be complicated and taxing. Sometimes, an inaccurate piece of information on the application can cause it to be denied outright.
An H-1B visa attorney or TN visa lawyer in Georgetown, MD is knowledgeable about the intricacies of each visa type and can help you understand the necessary paperwork, deadlines, and lotteries that correspond with each one. Furthermore, Georgetown, MD immigration lawyers can adjust to special circumstances, 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 Georgetown, MD
Karen Weinstock started Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she intimately understands the immigration process – she relocated to the U.S. and went through various immigration steps personally! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers is comprised of team members who are multilingual and multicultural in Georgetown, Maryland, who have global expertise and a combined over 100 years of legal immigration experience.
Our hands-on approach 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.* Whether you’re looking to obtain a work visa to work in the USA or an employer ready to hire the best global talent, trust Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for your H-1B and TN visa needs in Georgetown, MD. Get a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.