Bellingham, MA H-1B Visas Explained
An H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows foreign nationals in specialized fields of work to temporarily work and live in Bellingham and the entire United States. Potential H-1B applicants are required to have a job offer in a specialized professional field such as education, technology, science, engineering, or healthcare Any profession where the employer can prove it is necessary 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 and even longer if the applicant pursues a green card.
Typically, securing an H-1B visa is the first step towards permanent residency and citizenship. Many H-1B visa applicants file for permanent residency (also called a green card) sponsored by their Bellingham, MA employer and then apply for United States citizenship.
TN Visas in Bellingham, MA: What Are They?
TN visas are another type of nonimmigrant visa for professionals, 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. A full-time U.S. job offer is required for TN visa applicants in Bellingham, MA. Canadian citizens can apply directly at the border or airport 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.
TN visas are initially valid for three years but can be extended for three-year periods at a time. Similar to H-1B visas, those with a TN visa in Bellingham, MA can choose to apply for a green card if they meet specific qualifications.
What an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Bellingham, MA Can Help You With
H-1B visas might appear to be simple but in actuality, they require navigating a complicated, frequently vague bureaucracy. An H-1B visa lawyer in Bellingham, MA can help you work through this system and achieve a great result.
Visa Cap Limitations - The main challenge Massachusetts applicants must overcome is the cap on the number of new H-1B visas that may be issued yearly. The annual cap is currently set at 65,000 visas per fiscal year, and then 20,000 additional visas in the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Since H-1B visas are extremely limited and in high demand, it's critical that your paperwork is submitted correctly and with accurate information.
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. Bellingham, MA H-1B visa attorneys can help you take the necessary steps for your petition and be more competitive in this highly selective process.
Application Deadlines - Registration to apply for an H-1B visa is normally only allowed during a few weeks in 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 Bellingham, MA is well-versed in the process and can help ensure that your paperwork is submitted correctly in the fast process.
Required Employer Sponsorship - Employers have a lot to manage, so they commonly look to Massachusetts 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 lawyer can help monitor important paperwork and manage deadlines for you.
Policy Changes - Almost each and every year, the policies around H-1B visas shift. An experienced immigration attorney in Bellingham, MA can assist you with those adjustments so your registration and application are filed on time and accurately.
What a TN Visa Lawyer in Bellingham, MA Can Do
Similarly to H-1B visas, TN visas also require documentation for both the employer and the Canadian or Mexican citizen applicant. A knowledgeable Bellingham, MA TN visa attorney can assist you with this process to a fruitful outcome.
Eligibility - Bellingham, MA TN visa attorneys can review your or your future employee's educational background 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 you assemble the necessary paperwork and confirm the TN visa is the right type to pursue.
Visa Renewal - Because TN visas must be extended prior to expiration, your TN visa lawyer in Bellingham, MA can help you stay up to date with changes in policy and the required details needed to renew your visa each time. Your TN visa lawyer can assist you and avert gaps in your visa and continue your legal working status.
Employer Compliance - Employers are the party responsible for immigration and employment law compliance in Bellingham, MA which includes staying up to date with visa paperwork, logging job duties and wages, managing Public Access Files for H-1B visas, along with other requirements. Your Bellingham visa lawyers can ensure your team is trained and prepared to maintain legal compliance throughout the application and reduce the risk of audits and legal troubles.
Why You Should Hire an H-1B or TN Visa Attorney in Bellingham, MA
No matter if you or your employee is seeking an H-1B or TN visa so that they can legally work in Bellingham, MA, the process can be complicated and taxing. Moreover, incorrect information anywhere on the application may cause your application to be denied.
A TN visa attorney or H-1B visa lawyer in Bellingham, MA is knowledgeable about the intricacies of each visa type and can assist you in navigating the required documentation, lotteries, and deadlines correlated with each. Additionally, an H-1B visa lawyer in Bellingham, MA can help with your individual situation, including bringing dependents or other immediate relatives with you to Massachusetts.
Why Choose The Visa Pros as Your H-1B Immigration Lawyer in Bellingham, MA?
Karen Weinstock established Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she understands the immigration procedures deeply – she relocated to the U.S. and went through several immigration procedures herself! The Weinstock Immigration Lawyers team is multilingual and multicultural, located in Bellingham, MA, and beyond, who have global expertise and a combined over 100 years of legal immigration experience.
We take a proactive approach, which has resulted in over 20,000 cases of approved visas and green cards. We're proud to have one of the highest approval rates in the industry with only 1% of cases being denied.* Whether you’re looking to obtain a work visa to work in the USA or an employer hoping to hire global talent, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers can help with all H-1B and TN visas in Bellingham, MA. Contact us for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.