St. Louis, MO H-1B Visas Explained
H-1B visas are a type of nonimmigrant visa that allows citizens of foreign countries in particular job industries to temporarily work in St. Louis, MO and the rest of the United States. In order to apply for an H-1B, applicants must already have a job offer in a specialized profession such as engineering, science, healthcare, education, or IT. Any professional field where the hiring company can prove a bachelor's degree is the minimum qualification required might qualify. The initial term for an H-1B visa is three years, but it can be extended to a six-year maximum or more if the employee applies for permanent residency.
Typically, securing an H-1B visa is the first step towards permanent residency and citizenship. holders of H-1B visa may seek permanent residency (known as a green card) sponsored by their St. Louis, MO employer and eventually apply for citizenship.
TN Visas for Mexican and Canadian Citizens in St. Louis, MO
TN visas are another temporary work visa type, but they are exclusively for citizens of Canada and Mexico. There are stricter qualifications for TN visas because the list of occupations is restricted. It includes accountants, engineers, pharmacists, management consultants, and scientists. TN visa applicants are required to have a U.S. job offer (e.g., in St. Louis, MO) in order to qualify. For Canadian citizens, you can apply directly at the border or at the airport and need not obtain a visa stamp at a consulate ahead of time, 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. Like H-1B visa applicants, those with a TN visa in St. Louis, MO can choose to transition to a green card if they meet specific qualifications.
What an H-1B Visa Lawyer in St. Louis, MO Can Help You With
H-1B visas may seem straightforward but in reality, require working through a complex, often convoluted system. St. Louis, MO H-1B visa attorneys can help guide you through this system and achieve a great result.
Visa Caps - The main challenge Missouri applicants must overcome is the annual cap placed on how many new H-1B visas are issued. 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 imperative you ensure your paperwork is submitted accurately with all the right information.
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. An H-1B visa lawyer in St. Louis, MO can help you prepare your application to be more competitive in pursuing this highly selective visa.
Deadlines - 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 after being informed of their selection to apply. If you work with an H-1B lawyer in St. Louis, MO, they are familiar with this process and can help make sure the proper forms and documents are filled out correctly in the small window of opportunity.
Employer Sponsorship - Employers who already have a lot on their plates normally will hire Missouri corporate immigration attorneys to help take the stress of composing the visa application in this highly-regulated legal process. Precision and timeliness are paramount for these applications, and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with organizing essential information and track time limits on your behalf.
Changing Policies - Just about each year, changes are made to H-1B visa adjudications. An immigration lawyer with expertise in St. Louis, MO can help you navigate those shifts so your registration and application are filed on time and properly.
Get Help from a TN Visa Attorney in St. Louis, MO
Similarly to H-1B visas, TN visas need proper documentation from both the applicant and the employer. A TN visa lawyer in St. Louis, MO with experience can guide you through this process to the desired outcome.
Review Eligibility - St. Louis, MO TN visa attorneys can review your or your future employee's information and qualifications to help decide if they meet the requirements for a TN visa, helping save time and prevent future legal issues. They can also help you assemble the necessary paperwork and make sure that the TN visa is the right one for your employee.
Renewal - Because TN visas must be extended prior to expiration, your TN visa attorney in St. Louis, MO can help you remain current with changing policies and the guidance you need for visa renewal. Your TN visa lawyer can assist you and avert gaps in your visa and continue your legal working status.
Employer Compliance Requirements - Employers hold the responsibility for complying with St. Louis, MO employment and immigration laws, which means keeping up with visa documentation, recording wages and job assignments, maintaining Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and many more obligations. One of our St. Louis 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 St. Louis, MO
Whether you or your employee is seeking a TN or H-1B visa to work in St. Louis, MO, it can be a complex and time-consuming process. In addition, mistakes in the application may lead to your petition being denied.
A TN visa attorney or H-1B visa lawyer in St. Louis, MO is knowledgeable about the intricacies of each visa type and can help you work through the required documentation, lotteries, and deadlines that are associated with each one. Furthermore, St. Louis, MO immigration lawyers can help with your individual situation, which include additional dependents or members of your family to Missouri with you.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in St. Louis, MO?
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, and she understands the immigration procedures deeply – she relocated to the U.S. and went through several immigration procedures herself! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers has a multilingual, multicultural staff in St. Louis, Missouri and beyond, who have global expertise and a combined over 100 years of legal immigration experience.
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.* Whether you’re looking to obtain a work visa to work in the USA or an employer who wants to tap into the global talent pool, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for your TN and H-1B visa needs in St. Louis, MO. Get in touch today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not ensure a similar outcome.