Understanding H-1B Visas in Grand Rapids, MI
H-1B visas are a type of nonimmigrant visa that allows citizens of foreign countries in specialized areas of employment to work for a finiteamount of time in Grand Rapids, MI and the United States in general. H-1B applicants must have a job offer from a U.S. employer in a specialized profession including healthcare, engineering, IT, science, education. Any line of work where the hiring company 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 applicant pursues a green card.
Often, an H-1B is the first application towards eventually applying for permanent residency and citizenship. Those with an H-1B visa can pursue permanent residency (a U.S. green card) via sponsorship through their Grand Rapids, MI job and then apply for United States citizenship.
TN Visas for Mexican and Canadian Citizens in Grand Rapids, MI
Another type of nonimmigrant visa for working professionals is the TN visa, which is specifically for Canadian and Mexican citizens. There are stricter qualifications for TN visas because the list of occupations is restricted. 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 Grand Rapids, MI). Canadian citizens may apply at the airport or border crossing and do not need to have a visa stamped at the consulate, but Mexican citizens must go to a consulate to apply for a visa.
TN visas are initially valid for three years but can be extended for additional three-year periods. Similar to H-1B visas, Grand Rapids, MI TN visa holders are eligible to change to a green card if eligible.
Challenges an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Grand Rapids, MI Can Help You Overcome
H-1B visas might appear to be simple but require navigating a complex, frequently vague bureaucracy. H-1B visa lawyers in Grand Rapids, MI can help you navigate this system and successfully petition your visa.
H-1B Cap Issues - The main challenge Michigan applicants must overcome is the cap on how many new H-1B visas may be issued each year. The annual cap is currently set at 65,000 visas per fiscal year, with 20,000 additional visas issued through 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.
For the 2023 fiscal year, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services received 758,994 eligible H-1B registrations and selected 188,400 to apply for only 65,000 visas. Grand Rapids, MI H-1B visa attorneys can help you take the necessary steps for your petition 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 then the employers and applicants that are chosen have a few short weeks to apply once they've been notified of selection. H-1B lawyers in Grand Rapids, MI have expertise in this application process and can assist you in filling out the required forms properly in the fast process.
Required Employer Sponsorship - Busy employers and their HR teams often turn to Michigan corporate immigration lawyers to assist the employer with preparing the visa application in this legal process that involves many regulations. Timeliness and accuracy are crucial for visa applications, and your H-1B visa lawyer can help keep track of essential information and manage deadlines for you.
Policy Changes - Nearly every year, H-1B adjudication policies change. An experienced immigration attorney in Grand Rapids, MI can assist you with those adjustments so your registration and application are filed on time and accurately.
What a TN Visa Lawyer in Grand Rapids, MI Can Do
Like H-1B visas, TN visas require proper paperwork for both the employer and the Canadian or Mexican citizen applicant. An experienced TN visa attorney in Grand Rapids, MI can help you navigate this process to a successful outcome.
Eligibility Determination - A TN visa lawyer in Grand Rapids, MI can review your or your future employee's information and qualifications to determine their eligibility for a TN visa, saving you time, headaches, and legal problems. They can also help prepare the necessary paperwork for this process and confirm the TN visa is the right type to pursue.
Renewal - Before they expire, TN visas require an extension, and your Grand Rapids, MI TN visa lawyer can help keep you updated with changing policies and the necessary information that you need to renew your visa. Your TN visa lawyer can assist you and avert gaps in your visa and retain your legal right to work.
Employer Compliance - Employers are responsible for complying with immigration and employment laws in Grand Rapids, MI, which means staying current with visa paperwork, documenting wages and job duties, maintaining Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and additional obligations. Your Grand Rapids visa attorneys can prepare and train relevant staff to maintain legal compliance throughout the application and reduce the chance of government audits.
Benefits of Hiring TN or H-1B Visa Lawyers in Grand Rapids, MI
Whether you or your employee needs to apply for a TN or H-1B visa for temporary work in Grand Rapids, MI, it can be a complex and time-consuming process. Moreover, incorrect information anywhere on the application may cause your application to be denied.
An H-1B visa attorney or TN visa lawyer in Grand Rapids, MI is familiar with the intricacies of these visas and can help you understand the necessary paperwork, deadlines, and lotteries that are associated with each one. Furthermore, Grand Rapids, MI immigration lawyers can help with your individual situation, which include additional dependents and immediate family members to Michigan with you.
Why Choose The Visa Pros as Your H-1B Immigration Lawyer in Grand Rapids, MI?
Karen Weinstock established Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she is intimately familiar with the United States immigration process – 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 Grand Rapids, MI, and beyond, with worldwide expertise and together, they have more than 100 years of legal immigration experience.
Our hands-on approach means we have over 20,000 approved cases of visas and green cards. We also have 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 TN and H-1B visa needs in Grand Rapids, MI. Contact us for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior outcomes do not guarantee similar results.