Understanding H-1B Visas in Hampstead, MD
An H-1B visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa which allows foreign nationals in specialized fields of work to work in Hampstead, 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 highly-specialized industry such as education, technology, science, engineering, or healthcare Any line of work where the hiring company can prove a bachelor's degree is the minimum qualification required could be eligible. H-1B visas are good for three years but may be extended to a total of six years and potentially more if the employee chooses to apply for permanent residency.
Typically, securing an H-1B visa is the first step towards permanent residency and citizenship. Those with an H-1B visa can pursue permanent residency (also called a green card) via sponsorship through their Hampstead, MD job and then petition to obtain U.S. citizenship.
What Is a TN Visa in Hampstead, MD?
Another type of work visa for professionals is the TN visa, which is exclusively for citizens of Canada and Mexico. TN visas have more strict qualifications for professions because the list of occupations is closed. It includes accountants, engineers, pharmacists, management consultants, and scientists. TN visa applicants are required to have a U.S. job offer (e.g., in Hampstead, MD) in order to qualify. 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 obtain a visa stamp.
TN visas are initially valid for three years but can be extended by three-year increments each time. Like H-1B visa applicants, those with a TN visa in Hampstead, MD can choose to shift to a green card if they are qualified.
Do I Need a Lawyer for an H-1B Visa in Hampstead, MD?
The steps to acquiring H-1B visas could look straightforward but in reality, require working through a complex, often convoluted system. An H-1B visa lawyer in Hampstead, MD can help you work through this system and successfully petition your visa.
Visa Caps - The biggest hurdle Maryland applicants encounter is the H-1B visa cap, or the limit on how many new visas can be issued annually. The current Congressional cap per fiscal year is 65,000, plus an additional 20,000 visas allocated through the H-1B advanced degree exemption. With a limited number of visas available, it's imperative you ensure your paperwork is submitted accurately with all the right information.
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 Hampstead, MD can help you prepare your application so you may ensure proper filing in this selective process.
Dates To Remember - Registration for H-1B visa application is normally only allowed during a few weeks in March, and once selected, applicants and their employers have just a few more weeks after being notified during which to apply. H-1B lawyers in Hampstead, MD have expertise in this application process and can help make sure the proper forms and documents are filled out correctly in the short turnaround time.
Sponsorship by Employers - Employers who want to file correctly commonly look to Maryland corporate immigration attorneys to help alleviate the stress of preparing the employer’s portion of the application in this regulated, high-stakes legal process. Accuracy and punctuality are paramount for these applications, and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with keeping track of important information and manage deadlines for you.
Shifting Policies - Practically every single year, changes are made to H-1B visa adjudications. An immigration lawyer with expertise in Hampstead, MD can help you navigate those shifts to make sure your registration and application are prepared completely.
Get Help from a TN Visa Attorney in Hampstead, MD
In similar fashion to H-1B visas, TN visas need proper documentation for both parties, the Canadian or Mexican citizen and the employer. An experienced Hampstead, MD TN visa lawyer can walk you through the process to help you achieve a successful outcome.
Check for Eligibility - Hampstead, MD TN visa attorneys can help review your or your potential employee’s information and qualifications to help decide if they meet the requirements for a TN visa, helping save time and prevent future legal issues. They can also assist you with the necessary documents and make sure that a TN visa is the correct one for this situation.
Renewal - Since TN visas must be renewed before they expire, your TN visa lawyer in Hampstead, MD can help you stay up to date with changes in policy and the necessary information that you need to renew your visa. Your TN visa lawyer can assist you and avert gaps in your visa and ensure you can keep legally working.
Employer Visa Compliance - Employers hold the responsibility for complying with Hampstead, MD employment and immigration laws, which means staying on top of visa documentation, documenting wages and job duties, keeping H-1B visa Public Access Files, and many more obligations. Hampstead visa lawyers from our team can ensure your team is trained and prepared to maintain legal compliance throughout the application and reduce the chance of government audits.
Why Hire an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Hampstead, MD?
No matter if you or your employee is seeking a TN or H-1B visa to work in Hampstead, MD, it can be a lengthy and extremely complex process. In addition, mistakes in the application can cause it to be denied outright.
An H-1B visa lawyer or TN visa attorney in Hampstead, MD is experienced in the complications of each visa and can assist in managing the lotteries, deadlines, and correct documentation correlated with each. Furthermore, Hampstead, MD immigration lawyers can help with your individual situation, such as bringing spouse and children and immediate family members to Maryland with you.
Why Choose The Visa Pros as Your H-1B Immigration Lawyer in Hampstead, MD?
Karen Weinstock started Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she is intimately familiar with the United States immigration process – she moved to the United States and has navigated a few immigration filings herself! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers has a multilingual, multicultural staff in Hampstead, Maryland and beyond, with wide-reaching expertise and over 100 years of legal immigration experience together.
Our hands-on approach means that we boast over 20,000 cases of approved green cards and visas. That gives us 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, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for your H-1B and TN visa needs in Hampstead, MD. Get a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Prior outcomes do not guarantee similar results.