Understanding H-1B Visas in Cambridge, MA
An H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows foreign nationals in specialized areas of employment to work for a finiteamount of time in Cambridge, MA and the United States in general. In order to apply for an H-1B, applicants must already have a job offer in a specialized profession such as engineering, science, healthcare, education, or IT. Any area of work where the employer can prove a bachelor's degree is the minimum qualification required may qualify. H-1B visas are good for three years but can be extended to a six-year maximum or more if the applicant pursues a green card.
Frequently, obtaining an H-1B visa is the first step towards permanent residency and citizenship. H-1B visa holders may apply for permanent residency (known as a green card) via sponsorship through their Cambridge, MA job and then petition to obtain U.S. citizenship.
What Is a TN Visa in Cambridge, MA?
TN visas are another temporary work visa type, but they are designated for Mexican and Canadian citizens. 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. TN visa applicants are required to have a U.S. job offer (e.g., in Cambridge, MA) in order to qualify. Canadian citizens may apply at the airport or border crossing and do not need to have a visa stamped at the consulate, but citizens of Mexico need to have a visa stamped in their passport.
To start, TN visas are valid for three years but can be extended for additional three-year periods. Akin to H-1B visa holders, TN visa holders in Cambridge, MA are able to apply for a green card if eligible.
Do I Need a Lawyer for an H-1B Visa in Cambridge, MA?
The steps to acquiring H-1B visas could look straightforward but require navigating a complex, sometimes vague system. An H-1B visa lawyer in Cambridge, MA can help you work through this system and successfully petition your visa.
Visa Cap Limitations - One of the biggest obstacles that Massachusetts applicants face is the annual cap placed on how many new H-1B visas are issued. The current Congressional cap per fiscal year is 65,000, with an additional 20,000 visas available under the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Since H-1B visas are extremely limited and in high demand, all of your application paperwork must be accurate and submitted properly.
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 Cambridge, MA can help you prepare your application so you may ensure proper filing in this selective process.
Application Deadlines - The registration window to apply for an H-1B visa is routinely open for a few short weeks each March, and then applicants and employers who are selected only have a few weeks after being informed of their selection to apply. Hiring an H-1B visa lawyer in Cambridge, MA is a smart move. They are experienced with the process and can assist you in filling out the required forms properly in the fast process.
Required Employer Sponsorship - Employers who want to file correctly normally will hire Massachusetts corporate immigration attorneys to assist the employer with preparing the visa application in this heavily regulated legal system. Precision and timeliness are critical for visa applications, and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with keeping track of important information and deadlines on your behalf.
Shifting Policies - Nearly every year, the policies around H-1B visas shift. An experienced Cambridge, MA immigration lawyer can assist you with those adjustments to make sure your registration and application are finalized completely.
What a TN Visa Lawyer in Cambridge, MA Can Do
Like H-1B visas, TN visas need proper documentation from both the applicant and the employer. An experienced Cambridge, MA TN visa lawyer can assist you with this process to a fruitful outcome.
Eligibility - TN visa lawyers in Cambridge, MA can help review your or your potential employee’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 - TN visas must be renewed before their expiration, so your TN visa lawyer in Cambridge, MA can help ensure you remain updated with changing policies and the necessary information that you need to renew your visa. They can help you avoid delays in your visa and maintain your legal employment status.
Employer Compliance Requirements - The duty for Cambridge, MA immigration and employment compliance lies with the employer, which means keeping up with visa documentation, recording wages and job assignments, maintaining Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and many more obligations. Cambridge visa lawyers from our team can train and prepare your staff members to maintain legal compliance throughout the application and reduce the chance of government audits.
Why You Should Hire an H-1B or TN Visa Attorney in Cambridge, MA
Whether you or your employee is seeking an H-1B or TN visa so that they can legally work in Cambridge, MA, the process can be complicated and taxing. Additionally, erroneous information on any piece of the application can cause it to be denied outright.
A TN visa attorney or H-1B visa lawyer in Cambridge, MA is knowledgeable about the complexities of these visas and can assist in managing the necessary paperwork, deadlines, and lotteries that correspond with each one. Moreover, an H-1B or TN visa lawyer in Cambridge, MA can adjust to special circumstances, such as bringing spouse and children or other immediate relatives with you to Massachusetts.
Trust The Visa Pros for Your H-1B and TN Visa Needs in Cambridge, MA
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, and she understands the immigration procedures deeply – she relocated to the U.S. and has navigated a few immigration filings herself! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers is comprised of team members who are multilingual and multicultural in Cambridge, Massachusetts, who possess international expertise and boasts a combined more than 100 years of legal immigration experience.
Our hands-on approach has led to us successfully getting approved over 20,000 visa and green card cases. That gives us one of the highest approval rates in the industry, with only a 1% denial rate.* If you're trying to get a work visa to legally work in the United States or an employer ready to hire the best global talent, trust Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for all of your TN and H-1B visa needs in Cambridge, MA. Contact us for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not ensure a similar outcome.