H-1B Visas in Boston, PA: What Are They?
H-1B visas are a type of nonimmigrant visa that allows foreign nationals in particular job industries to temporarily work and live in Boston and the entire United States. To qualify for an H-1B, applicants must already have been offered a job in a specialized profession like science, healthcare, education, technology, or engineering. Any area of work where employers can show it is required to have a bachelor's degree might qualify. The initial term for an H-1B visa is three years, but it can be extended to a six-year maximum and even longer if the applicant pursues a green card.
Frequently, obtaining an H-1B visa is the first step individuals take towards permanent residency and citizenship. Many H-1B visa applicants file for permanent residency (a U.S. green card) through sponsorship from their Boston, PA employer and eventually apply for citizenship.
What Is a TN Visa in Boston, PA?
TN visas are another type of nonimmigrant visa for professionals, specifically for Canadian and Mexican citizens. The qualifications for TN visa applicants are stricter because the list of occupations is finite. The list includes engineers, pharmacists, management consultants, scientists, and accountants. In order to qualify for a TN visa, applicants must have a full-time U.S. job offer (ex.: in Boston, PA). For Canadian citizens, you can apply directly at the border or at the airport and don’t have to go to a consulate to get a visa stamped, but Mexican citizens must obtain a visa stamp.
The initial length of a TN visa is three years but visa holders can extend them for additional three-year periods. Much like H-1B visas, TN visa holders in Boston, PA are able to shift to a green card if they are qualified.
Challenges an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Boston, PA Can Help You Overcome
H-1B visas may seem straightforward but in actuality, they require navigating a complicated, potentially convoluted process. An H-1B visa lawyer in Boston, PA can help you work through this system and gain a desired outcome.
Visa Cap Limitations - One of the biggest obstacles that Pennsylvania applicants face is the annual cap placed on how many new H-1B visas are issued. The annual cap is currently set at 65,000 visas per fiscal year, with 20,000 additional visas issued through 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.
In 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reported receiving 758,994 eligible registrations and selected 188,400 to apply for the 65,000 available visas. An H-1B visa lawyer in Boston, PA can help you with preparing your petition to be more competitive in pursuing this highly selective visa.
Application Turnaround Times - The registration window to apply for an H-1B visa is normally only allowed during a few weeks in March, and once selected, applicants and their employers only have a few weeks after being informed of their selection to apply. H-1B lawyers in Boston, PA have expertise in this application process and can help ensure that your paperwork is submitted correctly in the short turnaround time.
Sponsorship by Employers - Employers who already have a lot on their plates often turn to Pennsylvania corporate immigration lawyers to assist the employer with preparing the visa application in this regulated, high-stakes 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.
Shifting Policies - Practically every single year, changes are made to H-1B visa adjudications. An immigration lawyer with expertise in Boston, PA can help you understand those policy changes to ensure that your registration and application are filled out accurately.
Get Help from a TN Visa Attorney in Boston, PA
In similar fashion to H-1B visas, TN visas require proper paperwork for both parties, the Canadian or Mexican citizen and the employer. An experienced Boston, PA TN visa lawyer can walk you through the process to help you achieve a successful outcome.
Eligibility - A TN visa attorney in Boston, PA can help review your or your potential employee’s information and qualifications to help decide if they meet the requirements for a TN visa, saving you time, headaches, and legal problems. They can also assist you prepare the required documentation and make sure that the TN visa is the right one for your employee.
Visa Extension - Since TN visas must be renewed before they expire, your TN visa lawyer in Boston, PA can help you stay up to date with any policy changes and the necessary information that you need to renew your visa. They can help you avoid delays in your visa and continue your legal working status.
Employer Legal Compliance - Employers are responsible for complying with immigration and employment laws in Boston, PA, which includes staying up to date with visa paperwork, logging job duties and wages, managing Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and many more obligations. Boston visa lawyers from our team can coach the necessary staff to stay compliant throughout the process and reduce the chance of government audits.
Why You Should Hire an H-1B or TN Visa Attorney in Boston, PA
No matter if you or your employee is seeking an H-1B or TN visa so that they can legally work in Boston, PA, it can be a time-consuming, complicated process. In addition, mistakes in the application may lead to your petition being denied.
An H-1B visa attorney or TN visa lawyer in Boston, PA is experienced in the complications of each visa and can help you work through the deadlines, lotteries, and correct paperwork correlated with each. In addition, a TN visa lawyer or H-1B attorney in Boston, PA can aid in your specific situation, including bringing dependents or members of your family to Pennsylvania with you.
Why Choose The Visa Pros as Your H-1B Immigration Lawyer in Boston, PA?
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, who intimately understands the immigration process – she migrated to the United States and went through various immigration steps personally! The Weinstock team is made up of multilingual, multicultural staff in Boston, PA, and throughout, with worldwide expertise and a combined over 100 years of legal immigration experience.
We take a proactive approach, which means that we boast over 20,000 cases of approved green cards and visas. 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 hoping to hire global talent, trust Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for your H-1B and TN visa needs in Boston, PA. Get in touch today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not ensure a similar outcome.