Columbia, MO H-1B Visas Explained
An H-1B visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa which allows citizens of foreign countries in particular job industries to work for a finiteamount of time in Columbia, MO and the United States in general. Potential H-1B applicants are required to have a job offer in a professional specialty such as engineering, science, healthcare, education, or IT. Any area of work where that the employer can demonstrate that it is required to have a bachelor's degree could potentially fit. H-1B visas are initially three years long but may be extended to a total of six years and potentially more if the employee chooses to apply for permanent residency.
Frequently, obtaining an H-1B visa is the first step individuals take towards permanent residency and citizenship. holders of H-1B visa may seek permanent residency (also called a green card) through sponsorship from their Columbia, MO employer and ultimately apply for citizenship.
TN Visas for Mexican and Canadian Citizens in Columbia, MO
Another type of work visa for professionals is the TN visa, which is exclusively for citizens of Canada and Mexico. The list of occupations for TN visas is closed, so this visa type has more stringent qualifications. It includes accountants, engineers, pharmacists, management consultants, and scientists. TN visa applicants are required to have a U.S. job offer (e.g., in Columbia, MO) in order to qualify. For Canadian citizens, you can apply directly at the border or at the airport and do not need to apply for a visa stamping at the consulate ahead of time, 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 by three-year increments each time. Like H-1B visa applicants, TN visa holders in Columbia, MO are able to apply for a green card if eligible.
Do I Need a Lawyer for an H-1B Visa in Columbia, MO?
The steps to acquiring H-1B visas could look straightforward but in actuality, they require navigating a complicated, potentially convoluted process. Columbia, MO H-1B visa attorneys can help guide you through this system and achieve a great result.
H-1B Cap Issues - One of the most difficult challenges that Missouri applicants must meet is the H-1B visa cap, or the limit on how many new visas can be issued annually. Currently, the cap is set at 65,000 visas per fiscal year, and then 20,000 additional visas in the H-1B advanced degree exemption. With a limited number of visas available, it's critical that your paperwork is submitted correctly and with accurate information.
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 Columbia, MO can help you prepare your application to be more competitive in pursuing this highly selective visa.
Application Turnaround Times - The registration window to apply for an H-1B visa is normally only allowed during a few weeks in March, and then applicants and employers who are selected only have a few weeks after being informed of their selection to apply. If you work with an H-1B lawyer in Columbia, MO, they are familiar with this process and can assist you in filling out the required forms properly in the short turnaround time.
Sponsorship by Employers - Employers who want to file correctly will frequently turn to Missouri corporate immigration lawyers to help take the stress of composing the visa application in this legal process that involves many regulations. Accuracy and timeliness are critical for visa applications, and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with keeping track of important information and due dates on your behalf.
Visa Policies Change Frequently - Almost each and every year, the policies around H-1B visas shift. An immigration lawyer with expertise in Columbia, MO can help you understand and navigate the changes so your registration and application are filed on time and properly.
What a TN Visa Lawyer in Columbia, MO Can Do
In similar fashion to H-1B visas, TN visas need proper documentation on both the employer's and Mexican or Canadian citizens' sides. A knowledgeable Columbia, MO TN visa attorney can guide you through this process to the desired outcome.
Review Eligibility - Columbia, MO TN visa attorneys can review your or your future employee's educational background and experience to help decide if they meet the requirements for a TN visa, helping save time and prevent future legal issues. They can also assist you with the necessary documents and make sure that a TN visa is the correct one for this situation.
Visa Renewal - Because TN visas must be extended prior to expiration, your TN visa attorney in Columbia, MO 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 continue your legal working status.
Employer Compliance - Employers are the party responsible for immigration and employment law compliance in Columbia, MO which means staying on top of visa documentation, properly document job duties and wages, preserving H-1B visa Public Access Files, along with other requirements. Your Columbia visa lawyers can coach the necessary staff 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 Columbia, MO?
If you or a potential employee is pursuing an H-1B or TN visa to work in Columbia, MO, it can be a lengthy and extremely complex process. Sometimes, an inaccurate piece of information on the application can cause it to be denied outright.
An H-1B visa lawyer or TN visa attorney in Columbia, MO is knowledgeable about the intricacies of each visa type and can assist you in navigating the deadlines, lotteries, and correct paperwork correlated with each. Additionally, an H-1B visa lawyer in Columbia, MO can aid in your specific situation, especially if you need to bring dependents or close relatives to Missouri with you.
Why Choose The Visa Pros as Your H-1B Immigration Lawyer in Columbia, MO?
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, who is deeply familiar with the immigration procedures– she migrated to the United States and went through various immigration steps personally! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers is comprised of team members who are multilingual and multicultural in Columbia, Missouri, with wide-reaching expertise and over 100 years of legal immigration experience together.
Our proactive perspective 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 ready to hire the best global talent, trust Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for your H-1B and TN visa needs in Columbia, MO. Get in touch today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not ensure a similar outcome.