Greensboro, NC H-1B Visas Explained
Classified as a nonimmigrant visa, the H-1B visa authorizes foreign nationals in particular job industries to work in Greensboro, NC and the rest of the U.S. for a specific amount of time. To qualify for an H-1B, applicants must already have been offered a job in a specialized profession including healthcare, engineering, IT, science, education. Any line of work where the employer can prove it is required to have a bachelor's degree could be eligible. H-1B visas are good for three years but can be extended to a six-year maximum or longer if the applicant decides to apply for permanent residency.
Frequently, obtaining an H-1B visa is the first step individuals take towards permanent residency and citizenship. Those with an H-1B visa can pursue permanent residency (a U.S. green card) sponsored by their Greensboro, NC employer and then apply for United States citizenship.
What Is a TN Visa in Greensboro, NC?
Another type of work visa for professionals is the TN visa, which is exclusively for citizens of Canada and Mexico. The qualifications for TN visa applicants are stricter because the list of occupations is finite. This includes pharmacists, accountants, engineers, management consultants, and scientists. TN visa applicants are required to have a U.S. job offer (e.g., in Greensboro, NC) in order to qualify. Canadian citizens can apply directly at the border or airport and don’t have to go to a consulate to get a visa stamped, but citizens of Mexico need to have a visa stamped in their passport.
To start, TN visas are valid for three years but can be extended for additional three-year periods. Similar to H-1B visas, Greensboro, NC TN visa holders are eligible to shift to a green card if they meet specific qualifications.
How an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Greensboro, NC Can Help You
H-1B visas might appear to be simple but in actuality, they require navigating a complicated, potentially convoluted process. Greensboro, NC H-1B visa attorneys can help guide you through this system and successfully petition your visa.
Visa Cap Limitations - One of the most difficult challenges that North Carolina applicants must meet 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, with 20,000 additional visas issued through the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Since H-1B visas are extremely limited and in high demand, 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 lawyer in Greensboro, NC can help you with preparing your petition to be more competitive in pursuing this highly selective visa.
Application Deadlines - Registration for H-1B visa application is typically open for just a few weeks in March, and then the employers and applicants that are chosen have a few short weeks to apply once they've been notified of selection. If you work with an H-1B lawyer in Greensboro, NC, they are familiar with this process and can help make sure the proper forms and documents are filled out correctly in the short turnaround time.
Sponsorship by Employers - Busy employers and their HR teams will frequently turn to North Carolina corporate immigration lawyers to help put together the entire visa application in this highly-regulated legal process. Timeliness and accuracy are crucial for visa applications, and your H-1B visa lawyer can help keep track of essential information and due dates on your behalf.
Visa Policies Change Frequently - Just about each year, the policies around H-1B visas shift. An experienced immigration attorney in Greensboro, NC can help you understand and navigate the changes to make sure your registration and application are prepared completely.
How a TN Visa Attorney in Greensboro, NC Can Help You
Like H-1B visas, TN visas necessitate correct documentation from both the applicant and the employer. An experienced TN visa attorney in Greensboro, NC can walk you through the process to help you achieve a successful outcome.
Eligibility - A TN visa lawyer in Greensboro, NC can analyze your or your potential new employee's educational background and experience 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.
Visa Renewal - Before they expire, TN visas require an extension, and your TN visa lawyer in Greensboro, NC can help you remain current with changing policies and the information needed to renew your visa. Your TN visa attorney can help you prevent gaps in your visa and retain your legal right to work.
Employer Compliance - Employers are the party responsible for immigration and employment law compliance in Greensboro, NC which means staying current with visa paperwork, recording wages and job assignments, keeping H-1B visa Public Access Files, and additional requirements. Your Greensboro visa attorneys can prepare and train relevant staff to stay compliant throughout the process and minimize the chances of a government audit.
The Benefits of Hiring an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Greensboro, NC
If you or a potential employee is pursuing a TN or H-1B visa for temporary work in Greensboro, NC, 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.
A TN visa attorney or H-1B visa lawyer in Greensboro, NC is knowledgeable about the intricacies of each visa type and can assist in managing the necessary paperwork, deadlines, and lotteries correlated with each. In addition, a TN visa lawyer or H-1B attorney in Greensboro, NC can assist with your unique situation, especially if you need to bring dependents or members of your family to North Carolina with you.
Trust The Visa Pros for Your H-1B and TN Visa Needs in Greensboro, NC
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, and she is deeply familiar with the immigration procedures– she moved to the United States and went through multiple immigration processes herself! The Weinstock Immigration Lawyers team is multilingual and multicultural, located in Greensboro, NC, and beyond, who have global expertise and boasts a combined more than 100 years of legal immigration experience.
Our hands-on approach 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.* Whether you're attempting to get a work visa in the U.S. or an employer who wants to tap into the global talent pool, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for all of your TN and H-1B visa needs in Greensboro, NC. Get in touch today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.