H-1B Visas in Kalamazoo, MI: What Are They?
Classified as a nonimmigrant visa, the H-1B visa allows citizens of foreign countries in particular job industries to temporarily work and live in Kalamazoo and the entire United States. Potential H-1B applicants are required to have a job offer in a highly-specialized industry including healthcare, engineering, IT, science, education. Any profession where the hiring company can prove it is necessary to have a bachelor's degree might qualify. Initially, H-1B visas are valid for three years but may be extended up to six years or longer if the employee applies for permanent residency.
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 (known as a green card) through sponsorship from their Kalamazoo, MI employer and eventually apply for citizenship.
What Is a TN Visa in Kalamazoo, MI?
TN visas are another temporary work visa type, but they are exclusively for citizens of Canada and Mexico. The list of occupations for TN visas is closed, so this visa type has more stringent qualifications. The list includes engineers, pharmacists, management consultants, scientists, and accountants. Applicants must already have a job offer in the United States (for example in: Kalamazoo, MI) to qualify. Canadian citizens can apply directly at the border or 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 visa holders can extend them for additional three-year periods. Similar to H-1B visas, TN visa holders in Kalamazoo, MI can shift to a green card if eligible.
What an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Kalamazoo, MI Can Help You With
H-1B visas might appear to be simple but require navigating a complex, frequently vague bureaucracy. H-1B visa lawyers in Kalamazoo, MI can help you navigate this system and successfully petition your visa.
Cap Limitations - One of the most difficult challenges that Michigan applicants must meet is the cap on the number of new H-1B visas that may be issued yearly. The annual cap is currently set at 65,000 visas per fiscal year, plus an additional 20,000 visas allocated through the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Since visas are severely limited and many apply, all of your application paperwork must be accurate and submitted properly.
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 Kalamazoo, MI can help you with preparing your petition so you may ensure proper filing in this selective process.
Dates To Remember - Registration for H-1B visa application is normally only allowed during a few weeks in March, and once selected, applicants and their employers have just a few more weeks after being notified during which to apply. H-1B lawyers in Kalamazoo, MI have expertise in this application process and can help make sure your application has been filed correctly in the limited timeframe.
Sponsorship by Employers - Employers who already have a lot on their plates will frequently turn to Michigan corporate immigration lawyers to assist the employer with preparing the visa application in this highly-regulated legal process. Timeliness and accuracy are vital for visa petitions and your H-1B visa lawyer can help monitor important paperwork and deadlines on your behalf.
Policy Changes - Almost each and every year, the policies around H-1B visas shift. An experienced Kalamazoo, MI immigration lawyer can help you understand and navigate the changes to ensure that your registration and application are filled out completely.
How TN Visa Lawyers in Kalamazoo, MI Can Help
Similarly to H-1B visas, TN visas need proper documentation for both the employer and the Canadian or Mexican citizen applicant. An experienced TN visa attorney in Kalamazoo, MI can guide you through this process to the desired outcome.
Check for Eligibility - TN visa lawyers in Kalamazoo, MI can analyze your or your potential new employee's educational background and experience to determine if they meet the eligibility requirements for a TN visa, saving you time, headaches, and legal problems. They can also assist you with the necessary documents and ensure that a TN visa is the right choice for your situation.
Visa Renewal - Since TN visas must be renewed before they expire, your TN visa lawyer in Kalamazoo, MI can help keep you updated with any policy changes and the guidance you need for visa renewal. They can help you avoid delays in your visa and retain your legal right to work.
Employer Compliance Requirements - Employers are responsible for complying with immigration and employment laws in Kalamazoo, MI, which means keeping up with visa documentation, properly document job duties and wages, preserving H-1B visa Public Access Files, and many more obligations. Kalamazoo visa lawyers from our team can ensure your team is trained and prepared to stay compliant throughout the process and reduce the chance of government audits.
Benefits of Hiring TN or H-1B Visa Lawyers in Kalamazoo, MI
No matter if you or your employee is seeking a TN or H-1B visa to work in Kalamazoo, MI, the process can be complicated and taxing. Sometimes, an inaccurate piece of information on the application can result in automatic denial.
An H-1B visa attorney or TN visa lawyer in Kalamazoo, MI is knowledgeable about the complexities of these visas and can help you understand the necessary paperwork, deadlines, and lotteries correlated with each. Furthermore, Kalamazoo, MI immigration lawyers can adjust to special circumstances, which include additional dependents or members of your family to Michigan with you.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Kalamazoo, MI?
Karen Weinstock established Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she intimately understands the immigration process – she moved to the United States and went through several immigration procedures herself! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers has a multilingual, multicultural staff in Kalamazoo, Michigan and beyond, who possess international expertise and a combined over 100 years of legal immigration experience.
Our proactive perspective means that we boast over 20,000 cases of approved green cards and visas. 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, trust Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for your TN and H-1B visa needs in Kalamazoo, MI. Get in touch today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure the same outcome.