H-1B Visas for Temporary Work in Melrose, MA
H-1B visas are a type of nonimmigrant visa that permits foreign citizens in particular job industries to work for a finiteamount of time in Melrose, MA and the United States in general. H-1B applicants must have a job offer from a U.S. employer in a highly-specialized industry including healthcare, engineering, IT, science, education. Any profession where the employer can prove a bachelor’s degree is the minimum entry requirement may qualify. H-1B visas are initially three years long but have the option to be extended up to six years or longer if the applicant decides to apply for permanent residency.
Typically, securing an H-1B visa is the first step 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) through sponsorship from their Melrose, MA employer and ultimately apply for citizenship.
What Is a TN Visa in Melrose, MA?
Another type of nonimmigrant visa for working professionals is the TN visa, which is exclusively for citizens of Canada and Mexico. TN visas have more strict qualifications for professions because the list of occupations is closed. The list includes engineers, pharmacists, management consultants, scientists, and accountants. Applicants must already have a job offer in the United States (for example in: Melrose, MA) to qualify. 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 Mexican citizens must obtain a visa stamp.
To start, TN visas are valid for three years but visa holders can extend them for additional three-year periods. Like H-1B visa applicants, Melrose, MA TN visa holders are eligible to apply for a green card if they meet specific qualifications.
Challenges an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Melrose, MA Can Help You Overcome
The steps to acquiring H-1B visas could look straightforward but require navigating a complex, frequently vague bureaucracy. An H-1B visa lawyer in Melrose, MA can help you work through this system and achieve a great result.
H-1B Cap Issues - One of the most difficult challenges that Massachusetts applicants must meet is the cap on the number of new H-1B visas that may be issued yearly. 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 visas are severely limited and many apply, it's imperative you ensure your paperwork is submitted accurately with all the right 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. An H-1B visa lawyer in Melrose, MA can help you with preparing 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 the employers and applicants that are chosen only have a few weeks after being informed of their selection to apply. H-1B lawyers in Melrose, MA have expertise in this application process and can help make sure your application has been filed correctly in the short turnaround time.
Required Employer Sponsorship - Busy employers and their HR teams often turn to Massachusetts corporate immigration lawyers to help put together the entire visa application in this legal process that involves many regulations. Accuracy and punctuality are paramount for these applications, and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with keeping track of important information and track time limits on your behalf.
Policy Changes - Nearly every year, the policies around H-1B visas shift. An experienced immigration attorney in Melrose, MA can assist you with those adjustments to make sure your registration and application are finalized properly.
How TN Visa Lawyers in Melrose, MA Can Help
Similarly to H-1B visas, TN visas require proper paperwork on both the employer's and Mexican or Canadian citizens' sides. A TN visa lawyer in Melrose, MA with experience can walk you through the process to help you achieve a successful outcome.
Check for Eligibility - A TN visa lawyer in Melrose, MA can review your or your future employee's information and qualifications to figure out if they qualify for a TN visa, saving you time, headaches, and legal problems. They can also help you assemble the necessary paperwork and confirm the TN visa is the right type to pursue.
Renewal - Since TN visas must be renewed before they expire, your TN visa lawyer in Melrose, MA can help you stay up to date with changing policies and the necessary information that you need to renew your visa. Your TN visa attorney can help you prevent gaps in your visa and continue your legal working status.
Employer Compliance Requirements - The duty for Melrose, MA immigration and employment compliance lies with the employer, which means staying current with visa paperwork, properly document job duties and wages, preserving H-1B visa Public Access Files, and additional obligations. Your Melrose visa lawyers can coach the necessary staff to remain legally compliant during the process and reduce the chance of government audits.
The Benefits of Hiring an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Melrose, MA
No matter if you or your employee is seeking an H-1B or TN visa to work in Melrose, MA, it can be a complex and time-consuming process. In addition, mistakes in the application can result in automatic denial.
An H-1B visa attorney or TN visa lawyer in Melrose, MA is experienced in the complications of each visa and can help you work through the required documentation, lotteries, and deadlines that are associated with each one. Moreover, an H-1B or TN visa lawyer in Melrose, MA can assist with your unique situation, including bringing dependents and immediate family members to Massachusetts with you.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Melrose, MA?
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, who understands the immigration procedures deeply – she moved to the United States and has navigated a few immigration filings herself! The Weinstock team is made up of multilingual, multicultural staff in Melrose, MA, and throughout, with wide-reaching expertise and together, they have more than 100 years of legal immigration experience.
We take a proactive approach, which 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 who wants to tap into the global talent pool, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for your H-1B and TN visa needs in Melrose, MA. Get a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Prior outcomes do not guarantee similar results.