Understanding H-1B Visas in Simpsonville, MD
H-1B visas are a type of nonimmigrant visa that allows citizens of foreign countries in specialized areas of employment to work in Simpsonville, 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 professional specialty like science, healthcare, education, technology, or engineering. Any line of work where the hiring company can prove a bachelor’s degree is the minimum entry requirement may qualify. Initially, H-1B visas are valid for three years but can be extended to a six-year maximum or longer if the employee chooses to apply for permanent residency.
Frequently, obtaining an H-1B visa is the first step towards eventually applying for permanent residency and citizenship. Many H-1B visa applicants file for permanent residency (a U.S. green card) via sponsorship through their Simpsonville, MD job and then apply for United States citizenship.
What Is a TN Visa in Simpsonville, 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. The list includes engineers, pharmacists, management consultants, scientists, and accountants. TN visa applicants are required to have a U.S. job offer (e.g., in Simpsonville, MD) in order to qualify. Canadian citizens may apply at the airport or border crossing 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.
The initial length of a TN visa is three years but visa holders can extend them for additional three-year periods. Similar to H-1B visas, TN visa holders in Simpsonville, MD can change to a green card if they are qualified.
What an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Simpsonville, MD Can Help You With
H-1B visas may seem straightforward but in actuality, they require navigating a complicated, sometimes vague system. An H-1B visa attorney in Simpsonville, MD can assist you with this system and successfully petition your visa.
Visa Cap Limitations - The main challenge Maryland applicants must overcome is the annual cap placed on how many new H-1B visas are issued. 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. Since H-1B visas are extremely limited and in high demand, it's imperative you ensure your paperwork is submitted accurately with all the right 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. An H-1B visa lawyer in Simpsonville, MD can help you prepare your application to be more competitive in pursuing this highly selective visa.
Application Turnaround Times - The registration window to apply for an H-1B visa is typically open for just a few weeks in March, and then applicants and employers who are selected only have a few weeks to apply from the date of selection. Hiring an H-1B visa lawyer in Simpsonville, MD is a smart move. They are experienced with the process and can help ensure that your paperwork is submitted correctly in the short turnaround time.
Sponsorship by Employers - Employers who want to file correctly commonly look to Maryland corporate immigration attorneys to help put together the entire visa application in this heavily regulated legal system. Accuracy and timeliness are vital for visa petitions and your H-1B visa lawyer can help keep track of essential information and manage deadlines for you.
Shifting Policies - Nearly every year, the policies around H-1B visas shift. An experienced Simpsonville, MD immigration lawyer can assist you with those adjustments to make sure your registration and application are prepared properly.
How a TN Visa Attorney in Simpsonville, MD Can Help You
Much like H-1B visas, TN visas require proper paperwork on both the employer's and Mexican or Canadian citizens' sides. A TN visa lawyer in Simpsonville, MD with experience can assist you with this process to a fruitful outcome.
Eligibility - A TN visa attorney in Simpsonville, MD can help review your or your potential employee’s educational background and experience to determine if they meet the eligibility requirements for a TN visa, saving you from potential legal problems in the future. They can also assist you prepare the required documentation 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 Simpsonville, MD can help you remain current with potential policy changes and the necessary information that you need to renew your visa. They can help you avoid delays in your visa and continue your legal working status.
Employer Visa Compliance - The duty for Simpsonville, MD immigration and employment compliance lies with the employer, which means staying on top of visa documentation, recording wages and job assignments, keeping H-1B visa Public Access Files, and many more obligations. Your Simpsonville 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.
Why You Should Hire an H-1B or TN Visa Attorney in Simpsonville, MD
Whether you or your employee is seeking a TN or H-1B visa for temporary work in Simpsonville, MD, the process can be complicated and taxing. In addition, mistakes in the application can cause it to be denied outright.
A TN visa attorney or H-1B visa lawyer in Simpsonville, MD is knowledgeable about the intricacies of each visa type and can help you understand the required documentation, lotteries, and deadlines that correspond with each one. Moreover, an H-1B or TN visa lawyer in Simpsonville, MD can adjust to special circumstances, which include additional dependents or other immediate relatives with you to Maryland.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Simpsonville, MD?
Karen Weinstock started Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she is deeply familiar with the immigration procedures– she relocated to the U.S. and went through multiple immigration processes herself! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers has a multilingual, multicultural staff in Simpsonville, Maryland and beyond, who have global expertise and boasts a combined more than 100 years of legal immigration experience.
We take a proactive approach, which means we have over 20,000 approved cases of visas and green cards. 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 ready to hire the best global talent, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for all H-1B and TN visas in Simpsonville, MD. Contact us for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.