H-1B Visas in Chatham, MA: What Are They?
An H-1B visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa which permits foreign citizens in specialized fields of work to work in Chatham, MA and the rest of the U.S. for a specific amount of time. In order to apply for an H-1B, applicants must already have a job offer in a highly-specialized industry like science, healthcare, education, technology, or engineering. Any profession where the hiring company can prove a bachelor's degree is the minimum qualification required may qualify. The initial term for an H-1B visa is three years, but it have the option to be extended up to six years and potentially more if the employee applies for permanent residency.
Often, an H-1B is the first application immigrants take when they want to eventually apply for permanent residency and citizenship. Many H-1B visa applicants file for permanent residency (known as a green card) via sponsorship through their Chatham, MA job and eventually apply for citizenship.
TN Visas in Chatham, MA: What Are They?
Another type of work visa for 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. These occupations include management consultants, scientists, accountants, engineers, and pharmacists. A full-time U.S. job offer is required for TN visa applicants in Chatham, MA. If you are a Canadian citizen, you are able to apply directly at an airport or border and need not obtain a visa stamp at a consulate ahead of time, however, Mexican citizens must apply for a visa ahead of time.
TN visas are initially valid for three years but can be extended by three-year increments each time. Much like H-1B visas, TN visa holders in Chatham, MA can transition to a green card if they meet specific qualifications.
What an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Chatham, MA Can Help You With
H-1B visas might appear to be simple but in reality, require working through a complex, frequently vague bureaucracy. Chatham, MA H-1B visa attorneys can help guide you through this system and achieve a great result.
Visa Caps - The main challenge Massachusetts applicants must overcome 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. With a limited number of visas available, your paperwork must be without errors and submitted correctly.
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. Chatham, MA H-1B visa attorneys can help you take the necessary steps for your petition and be more competitive in this highly selective process.
Dates To Remember - Registration for H-1B visa application is normally only allowed during a few weeks in March, and then applicants and employers who are selected have a few short weeks to apply once they've been notified of selection. If you work with an H-1B lawyer in Chatham, MA, they are familiar with this process and can help ensure that your paperwork is submitted correctly in the limited timeframe.
Sponsorship by Employers - Employers who want to file correctly often turn to Massachusetts corporate immigration lawyers to help alleviate the stress of preparing the employer’s portion of the application in this highly-regulated legal process. Precision and timeliness are crucial for visa applications, and your H-1B visa lawyer can help keep track of essential information and deadlines on your behalf.
Policy Changes - Nearly every year, H-1B adjudication policies change. A knowledgeable, skilled Chatham, MA immigration attorney can assist you with those adjustments to ensure that your registration and application are filled out correctly.
What a TN Visa Lawyer in Chatham, MA Can Do
Similarly to H-1B visas, TN visas necessitate correct documentation from both the applicant and the employer. A TN visa lawyer in Chatham, MA with experience can assist you with this process to a fruitful outcome.
Eligibility - A TN visa attorney in Chatham, MA can help review your or your potential employee’s qualifications and information to figure out if they qualify for a TN visa, helping save time and prevent future legal issues. They can also assist you prepare the required documentation and ensure that a TN visa is the right choice for your situation.
Extensions - TN visas must be renewed before their expiration, so your TN visa lawyer in Chatham, MA 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 Legal Compliance - Employers are responsible for complying with immigration and employment laws in Chatham, MA, which means staying on top of visa documentation, properly document job duties and wages, managing Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and additional requirements. Your Chatham visa attorneys can train and prepare your staff members to remain legally compliant during the process and minimize the chances of a government audit.
Why You Should Hire an H-1B or TN Visa Attorney in Chatham, MA
Whether you or your employee is seeking a TN or H-1B visa to work in Chatham, MA, it can be a time-consuming, complicated process. In addition, mistakes in the application can result in automatic denial.
Chatham, MA H-1B or TN visa attorneys are knowledgeable about the complexities of these visas and can help you understand the required documentation, lotteries, and deadlines that correspond with each one. In addition, a TN visa lawyer or H-1B attorney in Chatham, MA can adjust to special circumstances, especially if you need to bring dependents and immediate family members to Massachusetts with you.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Chatham, MA?
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, who understands the immigration procedures deeply – she migrated to the United States and has navigated a few immigration filings herself! The Weinstock Immigration Lawyers team is multilingual and multicultural, located in Chatham, MA, and beyond, with worldwide expertise and together, they have 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.* No matter if you're an individual hoping to secure a temporary visa in the U.S. or an employer who wants to tap into the global talent pool, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers is here for your H-1B and TN visa needs in Chatham, MA. Contact us for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior outcomes do not guarantee similar results.