H-1B Visas for Temporary Work in Athens, NY
An H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows foreign nationals in specialized fields of work to work in Athens, NY and the rest of the U.S. for a specific amount of time. Potential H-1B applicants are required to have a job offer in a highly-specialized industry like science, healthcare, education, technology, or engineering. Any profession where employers can show a bachelor’s degree is the minimum entry requirement could be eligible. The initial term for an H-1B visa is three years, but it can be extended to a six-year maximum or longer if the applicant decides to apply for permanent residency.
Typically, securing an H-1B visa is the first step individuals take towards permanent residency and citizenship. H-1B visa holders may apply for permanent residency (also called a green card) via sponsorship through their Athens, NY job and then apply for United States citizenship.
TN Visas for Mexican and Canadian Citizens in Athens, NY
Another type of nonimmigrant visa for working professionals is the TN visa, which is designated for Mexican and Canadian citizens. There are stricter qualifications for TN visas because the list of occupations is restricted. This includes pharmacists, accountants, engineers, management consultants, and scientists. TN visa applicants are required to have a U.S. job offer (e.g., in Athens, NY) in order to qualify. If you are a Canadian citizen, you are able to apply directly at an airport or border and need not obtain a visa stamp at a consulate ahead of time, but Mexican citizens must go to a consulate to apply for a visa.
To start, TN visas are valid for three years but can be extended for three-year periods at a time. Similar to H-1B visas, TN visa holders in Athens, NY are able to apply for a green card if they meet specific qualifications.
What an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Athens, NY Can Help You With
The steps to acquiring H-1B visas could look straightforward but require navigating a complex, sometimes vague system. Athens, NY H-1B visa attorneys can help guide you through this system and obtain a successful outcome.
H-1B Cap Issues - The biggest hurdle New York applicants encounter is the cap on the number of new H-1B visas that may be issued yearly. The cap is set at 65,000 per government fiscal year, plus an additional 20,000 visas allocated through the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Since visas are severely limited and many apply, your paperwork must be without errors and submitted correctly.
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. Athens, NY H-1B visa attorneys can help you take the necessary steps for your petition and be more competitive in this highly selective process.
Application Deadlines - Registration to apply for an H-1B visa is normally only allowed during a few weeks in March, and then the employers and applicants that are chosen have just a few more weeks after being notified during which to apply. If you work with an H-1B lawyer in Athens, NY, 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 will frequently turn to New York corporate immigration lawyers to assist the employer with preparing the visa application in this highly-regulated legal process. Accuracy and punctuality are crucial for visa applications, and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with keeping track of important information and manage deadlines for you.
Policy Changes - Nearly every year, the policies around H-1B visas shift. An experienced immigration attorney in Athens, NY can help you navigate those shifts so your registration and application are filed on time and completely.
Get Help from a TN Visa Attorney in Athens, NY
Much like H-1B visas, TN visas need proper documentation for both parties, the Canadian or Mexican citizen and the employer. A TN visa lawyer in Athens, NY with experience can help you navigate this process to a successful outcome.
Eligibility - TN visa lawyers in Athens, NY can analyze your or your potential new employee's information and qualifications to determine their eligibility for a TN visa, saving you from potential legal problems in the future. They can also assist you prepare the required documentation and ensure that a TN visa is the right choice for your situation.
Extensions - Since TN visas must be renewed before they expire, your TN visa lawyer in Athens, NY can help ensure you remain updated with any policy changes 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 ensure you can keep legally working.
Employer Visa Compliance - Employers are the party responsible for immigration and employment law compliance in Athens, NY which includes staying up to date with visa paperwork, logging job duties and wages, maintaining Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and additional obligations. Athens 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.
Why Hire an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Athens, NY?
Whether you or your employee needs to apply for a TN or H-1B visa for temporary work in Athens, NY, it can be a time-consuming, complicated process. In addition, mistakes in the application can result in automatic denial.
An H-1B visa attorney or TN visa lawyer in Athens, NY is familiar with the intricacies of these visas and can help you work through the necessary paperwork, deadlines, and lotteries correlated with each. Furthermore, Athens, NY immigration lawyers can help with your individual situation, especially if you need to bring dependents and immediate family members to New York with you.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Athens, NY?
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, and she understands the immigration procedures deeply – she moved to the United States and went through multiple immigration processes herself! The Weinstock Immigration Lawyers team is multilingual and multicultural, located in Athens, NY, and beyond, who have global expertise and over 100 years of legal immigration experience together.
We take a proactive approach, which has resulted in over 20,000 cases of approved visas and green cards. 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 Athens, NY. Contact us for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior outcomes do not guarantee similar results.