H-1B Visas in Marlow Heights, MD: What Are They?
An H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa that authorizes foreign nationals in specialized areas of employment to work in Marlow Heights, MD and the rest of the U.S. for a specific amount of time. To qualify for an H-1B, applicants must already have been offered a job in a highly-specialized industry such as engineering, science, healthcare, education, or IT. Any area of work where that the employer can demonstrate that a bachelor’s degree is the minimum entry requirement could potentially fit. H-1B visas are good for three years but may be extended up to six years and potentially more if the applicant pursues a green card.
Typically, securing an H-1B visa is the first step towards eventually applying for permanent residency and citizenship. Those with an H-1B visa can pursue permanent residency (known as a green card) through sponsorship from their Marlow Heights, MD employer and then petition to obtain U.S. citizenship.
Marlow Heights, MD TN Visas Explained
Another type of nonimmigrant visa for working professionals is the TN visa, which is exclusively for citizens of Canada and Mexico. The list of occupations for TN visas is closed, so this visa type has more stringent qualifications. This includes pharmacists, accountants, engineers, management consultants, and scientists. In order to qualify for a TN visa, applicants must have a full-time U.S. job offer (ex.: in Marlow Heights, MD). For Canadian citizens, you can apply directly at the border or at the airport and don’t have to go to a consulate to get a visa stamped, but citizens of Mexico need to have a visa stamped in their passport.
The initial length of a TN visa is three years but visa holders can extend them for additional three-year periods. Like H-1B visa applicants, Marlow Heights, MD TN visa holders are eligible to shift to a green card if eligible.
Challenges an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Marlow Heights, MD Can Help You Overcome
The steps to acquiring H-1B visas could look straightforward but in reality, require working through a complex, potentially convoluted process. An H-1B visa lawyer in Marlow Heights, MD can help you work through this system and successfully petition your visa.
Visa Cap Limitations - 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 cap is set at 65,000 per government fiscal year, and then 20,000 additional visas in the H-1B advanced degree exemption. With a limited number of visas available, it's critical that your paperwork is submitted correctly and with accurate information.
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. Marlow Heights, MD H-1B visa attorneys can help you take the necessary steps for your petition so you may ensure proper filing in this selective process.
Deadlines - Registration for H-1B visa application is routinely open for a few short weeks each March, and the selected employers and applicants have just a few more weeks after being notified during which to apply. An H-1B attorney in Marlow Heights, MD is well-versed in the process and can help make sure your application has been filed correctly in the short turnaround time.
Sponsorship by Employers - 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 legal process that involves many regulations. Precision and timeliness are paramount for these applications, and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with organizing essential information and manage deadlines for you.
Policy Changes - Practically every single year, the policies around H-1B visas shift. An experienced Marlow Heights, MD immigration lawyer can help you understand those policy changes to make sure your registration and application are prepared properly.
How a TN Visa Attorney in Marlow Heights, MD Can Help You
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 Marlow Heights, MD can assist you with this process to a fruitful outcome.
Check for Eligibility - Marlow Heights, MD TN visa attorneys can review your or your future employee's education and experience to determine their eligibility for a TN visa, saving you time, effort, and potential legal difficulties. They can also help prepare the necessary paperwork for this process and confirm the TN visa is the right type to pursue.
Visa Renewal - Since TN visas must be renewed before they expire, your Marlow Heights, MD TN visa lawyer can help keep you updated with changes in policy and the information needed 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 Legal Compliance - The duty for Marlow Heights, MD immigration and employment compliance lies with the employer, which includes staying up to date with visa paperwork, documenting wages and job duties, managing Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and additional requirements. Marlow Heights visa lawyers from our team can prepare and train relevant staff to stay compliant throughout the process and minimize the risk of running into legal problems.
The Benefits of Hiring an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Marlow Heights, MD
Whether you or your employee needs to apply for a TN or H-1B visa to work in Marlow Heights, MD, the process can be complicated and taxing. In addition, mistakes in the application can cause it to be denied outright.
An H-1B visa lawyer or TN visa attorney in Marlow Heights, MD is familiar with the intricacies of these visas and can assist in managing the lotteries, deadlines, and correct documentation correlated with each. Additionally, an H-1B visa lawyer in Marlow Heights, MD can adjust to special circumstances, such as bringing spouse and children or members of your family to Maryland with you.
Trust The Visa Pros for Your H-1B and TN Visa Needs in Marlow Heights, MD
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, and she understands the immigration procedures deeply – she moved to the United States and went through multiple immigration processes herself! The Weinstock Immigration Lawyers team is multilingual and multicultural, located in Marlow Heights, MD, and beyond, who possess international expertise and a combined over 100 years of legal immigration experience.
Our proactive perspective means that we boast over 20,000 cases of approved green cards and visas. We also have 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 seeking to take advantage of the best talent the world has to offer, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers is here for your H-1B and TN visa needs in Marlow Heights, MD. Get in touch today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior outcomes do not guarantee similar results.