Oak Island, NC H-1B Visas Explained
An H-1B visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa which allows foreign nationals in specialized fields of work to work for a finiteamount of time in Oak Island, NC and the United States in general. 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 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 have the option to be extended up to six years or longer if the employee chooses to apply for permanent residency.
Often, an H-1B is the first application towards permanent residency and citizenship. Those with an H-1B visa can pursue permanent residency (also called a green card) sponsored by their Oak Island, NC employer and ultimately apply for citizenship.
TN Visas in Oak Island, NC: What Are They?
Another type of nonimmigrant visa for working professionals is the TN visa, which is exclusively for citizens of Canada and Mexico. TN visas have more strict qualifications for professions because the list of occupations is closed. It includes accountants, engineers, pharmacists, management consultants, and scientists. A full-time U.S. job offer is required for TN visa applicants in Oak Island, NC. 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, but citizens of Mexico need to have a visa stamped in their passport.
TN visas are initially valid for three years but can be extended for additional three-year periods. Similar to H-1B visas, Oak Island, NC TN visa holders are eligible to apply for a green card if they meet specific qualifications.
Do I Need a Lawyer for an H-1B Visa in Oak Island, NC?
H-1B visas might appear to be simple but in reality, require working through a complex, frequently vague bureaucracy. Oak Island, NC H-1B visa attorneys can help guide you through this system and gain a desired outcome.
Visa Caps - The biggest hurdle North Carolina applicants encounter is the cap on how many new H-1B visas may be issued each year. The current Congressional cap per fiscal year is 65,000, plus an additional 20,000 visas allocated through the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Due to the limited number of approvable visas, 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 Oak Island, NC can help you with preparing your petition to be more competitive in pursuing this highly selective visa.
Application Deadlines - The registration window to apply for an H-1B visa is usually open for only a couple of weeks in March each year, and the selected employers and applicants only have a few weeks to apply from the date of selection. An H-1B attorney in Oak Island, NC is well-versed in the process and can help ensure that your paperwork is submitted correctly in the short turnaround time.
Employer Sponsorship - Employers who already have a lot on their plates commonly look to North Carolina corporate immigration attorneys to assist the employer with preparing the visa application in this highly-regulated legal process. Timeliness and accuracy are critical for visa applications, and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with keeping track of important information and track time limits on your behalf.
Policy Changes - Practically every single year, the policies around H-1B visas shift. An experienced Oak Island, NC immigration lawyer can help you understand and navigate the changes to make sure your registration and application are prepared correctly.
What a TN Visa Lawyer in Oak Island, NC Can Do
Similarly to H-1B visas, TN visas also require documentation for both parties, the Canadian or Mexican citizen and the employer. An experienced TN visa attorney in Oak Island, NC can walk you through the process to help you achieve a successful outcome.
Review Eligibility - A TN visa attorney in Oak Island, NC can review your or your future 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 help you assemble the necessary paperwork and make sure that the TN visa is the right one for your employee.
Extensions - Because TN visas must be extended prior to expiration, your Oak Island, NC TN visa attorney can help you stay up to date with any policy changes and the information needed to renew your visa. They can help you prevent delays 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 Oak Island, NC which means staying current with visa paperwork, logging job duties and wages, preserving H-1B visa Public Access Files, along with other requirements. Your Oak Island visa attorneys can ensure your team is trained and prepared to maintain legal compliance throughout the application and minimize the chances of a government audit.
Benefits of Hiring TN or H-1B Visa Lawyers in Oak Island, NC
If you or a potential employee is pursuing an H-1B or TN visa so that they can legally work in Oak Island, NC, it can be a complex and time-consuming process. Sometimes, an inaccurate piece of information on the application may cause your application to be denied.
An H-1B visa lawyer or TN visa attorney in Oak Island, NC is familiar with the intricacies of these visas and can assist you in navigating the necessary paperwork, deadlines, and lotteries that are associated with each one. In addition, a TN visa lawyer or H-1B attorney in Oak Island, NC can aid in your specific situation, including bringing dependents or close relatives to North Carolina with you.
Why Choose The Visa Pros as Your H-1B Immigration Lawyer in Oak Island, NC?
Karen Weinstock started Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she intimately understands the immigration process – she moved to the United States and went through several immigration procedures herself! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers has a multilingual, multicultural staff in Oak Island, North Carolina and beyond, who have global expertise and over 100 years of legal immigration experience together.
Our hands-on approach has resulted in over 20,000 cases of approved visas and green cards. We also have 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 hoping to hire global talent, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers is here for all H-1B and TN visas in Oak Island, NC. Get in touch today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure the same outcome.