Understanding H-1B Visas in Ontario, NY
An H-1B visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa which allows citizens of foreign countries in specialized fields of work to work for a finiteamount of time in Ontario, NY and the United States in general. To qualify for an H-1B, applicants must already have been offered a job in a specialized profession such as engineering, science, healthcare, education, or IT. Any line of work where the hiring company can prove a bachelor's degree is the minimum qualification required could potentially fit. H-1B visas are initially three years long but may be extended to a total of six years or longer if the employee applies for permanent residency.
Typically, securing an H-1B visa is the first step towards eventually applying for permanent residency and citizenship. H-1B visa holders may apply for permanent residency (also called a green card) as sponsored by their Ontario, NY job and ultimately apply for citizenship.
TN Visas in Ontario, NY: What Are They?
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. It includes accountants, engineers, pharmacists, management consultants, and scientists. Applicants must already have a job offer in the United States (for example in: Ontario, NY) to qualify. Canadian citizens may apply at the airport or border crossing and do not need to apply for a visa stamping at the consulate ahead of time, however, Mexican citizens must apply for a visa ahead of time.
TN visas are initially valid for three years but can be extended by three-year increments each time. Akin to H-1B visa holders, TN visa holders in Ontario, NY are able to change to a green card if they are qualified.
Do I Need a Lawyer for an H-1B Visa in Ontario, NY?
H-1B visas may seem straightforward but actually require you to go through a complex, frequently vague bureaucracy. Ontario, 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 current Congressional cap per fiscal year is 65,000, 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. An H-1B visa attorney in Ontario, NY can assist you in preparing your visa application and be more competitive in this highly selective process.
Application Turnaround Times - Registration to apply for an H-1B visa is typically open for just a few weeks in March, and then the employers and applicants that are chosen only have a few weeks to apply from the date of selection. If you work with an H-1B lawyer in Ontario, NY, they are familiar with this process and can help make sure your application has been filed correctly in the fast process.
Employer Sponsorship - Busy employers and their HR teams often turn to New York corporate immigration lawyers to assist the employer with preparing the visa application in this legal process that involves many regulations. Timeliness and accuracy are paramount for these applications, and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with organizing essential information and manage deadlines for you.
Changing Policies - Almost each and every year, the policies around H-1B visa adjudication change. An immigration lawyer with expertise in Ontario, NY can help you understand and navigate the changes to make sure your registration and application are finalized completely.
What a TN Visa Lawyer in Ontario, NY Can Do
Like H-1B visas, TN visas necessitate correct documentation from both the applicant and the employer. An experienced TN visa attorney in Ontario, NY can assist you with this process to a fruitful outcome.
Eligibility Determination - A TN visa lawyer in Ontario, NY can review your or your future employee's qualifications and information to help decide if they meet the requirements for a TN visa, saving you time, headaches, and legal problems. They can also assist you with the necessary documents and confirm the TN visa is the right type to pursue.
Extensions - Before they expire, TN visas require an extension, and your Ontario, NY TN visa attorney can help you remain current with changes in policy and the required details needed to renew your visa each time. 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 responsible for complying with immigration and employment laws in Ontario, NY, which means staying current with visa paperwork, recording wages and job assignments, managing Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and additional requirements. Your Ontario visa attorneys can train and prepare your staff members to maintain compliance throughout the petition and reduce the chance of government audits.
The Benefits of Hiring an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Ontario, NY
No matter if you or your employee is seeking an H-1B or TN visa to work in Ontario, NY, it can be a complex and time-consuming process. Additionally, erroneous information on any piece of the application can result in automatic denial.
An H-1B visa attorney or TN visa lawyer in Ontario, NY is knowledgeable about the intricacies of each visa type and can assist in managing the lotteries, deadlines, and correct documentation correlated with each. Moreover, an H-1B or TN visa lawyer in Ontario, NY can help with your individual situation, including bringing dependents or members of your family to New York with you.
Trust The Visa Pros for Your H-1B and TN Visa Needs in Ontario, NY
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, who is deeply familiar with the immigration procedures– she immigrated to the USA and went through several immigration procedures herself! The Weinstock team is made up of multilingual, multicultural staff in Ontario, NY, and throughout, who have global expertise and together, they have more than 100 years of legal immigration experience.
Our hands-on approach has led to us successfully getting approved over 20,000 visa and green card cases. We're proud to have one of the highest approval rates in the industry with only 1% of cases being denied.* Whether you're attempting to get a work visa in the U.S. or an employer seeking to take advantage of the best talent the world has to offer, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers can help with your H-1B and TN visa needs in Ontario, NY. Get in touch today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.