Understanding H-1B Visas in Shirley, MA
Classified as a nonimmigrant visa, the H-1B visa allows foreign nationals in specialized fields of work to temporarily work in Shirley, MA and the rest of the United States. Potential H-1B applicants are required to have a job offer in a specialized professional field like science, healthcare, education, technology, or engineering. Any profession where the employer can prove a bachelor’s degree is the minimum entry requirement may qualify. H-1B visas are good for three years but may be extended to a total of six years and even longer if the employee applies 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 (a U.S. green card) through sponsorship from their Shirley, MA employer and ultimately apply for citizenship.
TN Visas in Shirley, MA: What Are They?
TN visas are another temporary work visa type, but they are designated for Mexican and Canadian citizens. The qualifications for TN visa applicants are stricter because the list of occupations is finite. The list includes engineers, pharmacists, management consultants, scientists, and accountants. In order to qualify for a TN visa, applicants must have a full-time U.S. job offer (ex.: in Shirley, MA). Canadian citizens may apply at the airport or border crossing and do not need to apply for a visa stamping at the consulate ahead of time, however, Mexican citizens must apply for a visa ahead of time.
To start, TN visas are valid for three years but can be extended for additional three-year periods. Like H-1B visa applicants, those with a TN visa in Shirley, MA can choose to shift to a green card if they are qualified.
What an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Shirley, MA Can Help You With
H-1B visas could seem simple but in actuality, they require navigating a complicated, frequently vague bureaucracy. An H-1B visa lawyer in Shirley, MA can help you work through this system and successfully petition your visa.
H-1B Cap Issues - 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. Since H-1B visas are extremely limited and in high demand, all of your application paperwork must be accurate and submitted properly.
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 Shirley, MA can help you with preparing your petition and be more competitive in this highly selective process.
Application Turnaround Times - When applying for an H-1B visa, registration is usually open for only a couple of weeks in March each year, and then applicants and employers who are selected only have a few weeks to apply from the date of selection. If you work with an H-1B lawyer in Shirley, MA, they are familiar with this process and can help make sure the proper forms and documents are filled out correctly in the short turnaround time.
Employer Sponsorship - Employers who already have a lot on their plates will frequently turn to Massachusetts corporate immigration lawyers to help take the stress of composing the visa application in this highly-regulated legal process. Timeliness and accuracy are critical for visa applications, and your H-1B visa lawyer can help monitor important paperwork and due dates on your behalf.
Policy Changes - Practically every single year, the policies around H-1B visa adjudication change. An immigration lawyer with expertise in Shirley, MA can help you understand those policy changes to make sure your registration and application are finalized completely.
What a TN Visa Lawyer in Shirley, MA Can Do
In similar fashion to H-1B visas, TN visas require proper paperwork for both the employer and the Canadian or Mexican citizen applicant. A TN visa lawyer in Shirley, MA with experience can help you navigate this process to a successful outcome.
Review Eligibility - A TN visa lawyer in Shirley, MA can assess your or your potential new hire's information and qualifications to figure out if they qualify for a TN visa, saving you time, effort, and potential legal difficulties. They can also help prepare the necessary paperwork for this process and ensure that a TN visa is the right choice for your situation.
Extensions - Before they expire, TN visas require an extension, and your Shirley, MA TN visa attorney can help you stay up to date with changing policies and the required details needed to renew your visa each time. They can help you prevent delays in your visa and maintain your legal employment status.
Employer Compliance Requirements - Employers are the party responsible for immigration and employment law compliance in Shirley, MA which means keeping up with visa documentation, documenting wages and job duties, preserving H-1B visa Public Access Files, and many more obligations. Your Shirley visa lawyers can ensure your team is trained and prepared to maintain legal compliance throughout the application and minimize the risk of running into legal problems.
Why Hire an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Shirley, MA?
If you or a potential employee is pursuing a TN or H-1B visa for temporary work in Shirley, MA, it can be a complex and time-consuming process. In addition, mistakes in the application can cause it to be denied outright.
A TN visa attorney or H-1B visa lawyer in Shirley, MA is knowledgeable about the complexities of these visas and can assist in managing the deadlines, lotteries, and correct paperwork associated with them. Additionally, an H-1B visa lawyer in Shirley, MA can assist with your unique situation, especially if you need to bring dependents or close relatives to Massachusetts with you.
Trust The Visa Pros for Your H-1B and TN Visa Needs in Shirley, MA
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, who intimately understands the immigration process – she relocated to the U.S. and went through multiple immigration processes herself! The Weinstock Immigration Lawyers team is multilingual and multicultural, located in Shirley, MA, and beyond, with wide-reaching expertise and a combined over 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. We're proud to have one of the highest approval rates in the industry with only 1% of cases being denied.* Whether you're attempting to get a work visa in the U.S. or an employer hoping to hire global talent, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for all of your TN and H-1B visa needs in Shirley, MA. Get in touch today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure the same outcome.