Northampton, MA H-1B Visas Explained
Classified as a nonimmigrant visa, the H-1B visa allows citizens of foreign countries in certain specialized careers to temporarily work in Northampton, MA and the rest of the United States. H-1B applicants must have a job offer from a U.S. employer in a highly-specialized industry such as education, technology, science, engineering, or healthcare Any area of work where employers can show it is required to have a bachelor's degree might qualify. Initially, H-1B visas are valid for three years but have the option to be extended up to six years 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 (also known as a green card) as sponsored by their Northampton, MA job and then petition to obtain U.S. citizenship.
TN Visas in Northampton, MA: What Are They?
Another type of work visa for professionals is the TN visa, which is 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. A full-time U.S. job offer is required for TN visa applicants in Northampton, MA. For Canadian citizens, you can apply directly at the border or at the airport and do not need to have a visa stamped at the consulate, but Mexican citizens must obtain a visa stamp.
TN visas are valid for three years initially but can be extended for additional three-year periods. Akin to H-1B visa holders, Northampton, MA TN visa holders are eligible to transition to a green card if certain requirements are met.
What an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Northampton, MA Can Help You With
The steps to acquiring H-1B visas could look straightforward but actually require you to go through a complex, sometimes vague system. An H-1B visa attorney in Northampton, MA can assist you with this system and successfully petition your visa.
Visa Cap Limitations - One of the most difficult challenges that Massachusetts applicants must meet is the annual cap placed on how many new H-1B visas are issued. The cap is set at 65,000 per government fiscal year, with 20,000 additional visas issued through the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Since visas are severely limited and many apply, 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. An H-1B visa lawyer in Northampton, MA can help you prepare your application so you may ensure proper filing in this selective process.
Application Turnaround Times - When applying for an H-1B visa, registration is typically open for just a few weeks in March, and the selected employers and applicants have just a few more weeks after being notified during which to apply. If you work with an H-1B lawyer in Northampton, MA, they are familiar with this process and can help make sure the proper forms and documents are filled out correctly in the limited timeframe.
Required Employer Sponsorship - Busy employers and their HR teams commonly look to Massachusetts corporate immigration attorneys to help alleviate the stress of preparing the employer’s portion of the application in this highly-regulated legal process. Accuracy and timeliness are paramount for these applications, and your H-1B visa lawyer can help monitor important paperwork and deadlines on your behalf.
Visa Policies Change Frequently - Almost each and every year, changes are made to H-1B visa adjudications. An immigration lawyer with expertise in Northampton, MA can help you navigate those shifts to make sure your registration and application are prepared accurately.
How TN Visa Lawyers in Northampton, MA Can Help
In similar fashion to H-1B visas, TN visas require proper paperwork for both parties, the Canadian or Mexican citizen and the employer. A knowledgeable Northampton, MA TN visa attorney can walk you through the process to help you achieve a successful outcome.
Eligibility Determination - A TN visa lawyer in Northampton, MA can help review your or your potential employee’s educational background and experience to determine their eligibility for a TN visa, saving you from potential legal problems in the future. They can also assist you prepare the required documentation and make sure that a TN visa is the correct one for this situation.
Visa Extension - Because TN visas must be extended prior to expiration, your Northampton, MA TN visa lawyer can help ensure you remain updated with any policy changes and the information needed to renew your visa. They can help you prevent delays in your visa and continue your legal working status.
Employer Legal Compliance - The duty for Northampton, MA immigration and employment compliance lies with the employer, which includes staying up to date with visa paperwork, properly document job duties and wages, managing Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and additional requirements. Your Northampton visa lawyers can coach the necessary staff to stay compliant throughout the process and reduce the chance of government audits.
Benefits of Hiring TN or H-1B Visa Lawyers in Northampton, MA
No matter if you or your employee is seeking an H-1B or TN visa so that they can legally work in Northampton, MA, it can be a lengthy and extremely complex process. Additionally, erroneous information on any piece of the application may cause your application to be denied.
Northampton, MA H-1B or TN visa attorneys are knowledgeable about the complexities of these visas and can assist in managing the deadlines, lotteries, and correct paperwork that correspond with each one. Furthermore, Northampton, MA immigration lawyers can help with your individual situation, such as bringing spouse and children or other immediate relatives with you to Massachusetts.
Why Choose The Visa Pros as Your H-1B Immigration Lawyer in Northampton, MA?
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, who is intimately familiar with the United States immigration process – she immigrated to the USA and went through various immigration steps personally! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers is comprised of team members who are multilingual and multicultural in Northampton, Massachusetts, with wide-reaching expertise and together, they have 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.* Whether you're attempting to get a work visa in the U.S. or an employer hoping to hire global talent, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers can help with your H-1B and TN visa needs in Northampton, MA. Contact us for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not ensure a similar outcome.