California, PA H-1B Visas Explained
Classified as a nonimmigrant visa, the H-1B visa allows citizens of foreign countries in specialized areas of employment to work in California, PA and the rest of the U.S. for a specific amount of time. H-1B applicants must have a job offer from a U.S. employer in a highly-specialized industry such as engineering, science, healthcare, education, or IT. Any area of work where the hiring company can prove a bachelor’s degree is the minimum entry requirement might qualify. Initially, H-1B visas are valid for three years but may be extended to a total of six years and even longer if the employee applies for permanent residency.
Typically, securing an H-1B visa is the first step individuals take towards permanent residency and citizenship. holders of H-1B visa may seek permanent residency (also called a green card) sponsored by their California, PA employer and eventually apply for citizenship.
What Is a TN Visa in California, PA?
Another type of work visa for professionals is the TN visa, which is designated for Mexican and Canadian citizens. The list of occupations for TN visas is closed, so this visa type has more stringent qualifications. The list includes engineers, pharmacists, management consultants, scientists, and accountants. A full-time U.S. job offer is required for TN visa applicants in California, PA. Canadian citizens may apply at the airport or border crossing and do not need to have a visa stamped at the consulate, 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 three-year periods at a time. Much like H-1B visas, TN visa holders in California, PA are able to shift to a green card if certain requirements are met.
Do I Need a Lawyer for an H-1B Visa in California, PA?
The steps to acquiring H-1B visas could look straightforward but in reality, require working through a complex, potentially convoluted process. H-1B visa lawyers in California, PA can help you navigate this system and successfully petition your visa.
Visa Caps - The biggest hurdle Pennsylvania applicants encounter is the annual cap placed on how many new H-1B visas are issued. The current Congressional cap per fiscal year is 65,000, with an additional 20,000 visas available under the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Due to the limited number of approvable visas, your paperwork must be without errors and submitted correctly.
For the 2023 fiscal year, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services received 758,994 eligible H-1B registrations and selected 188,400 to apply for only 65,000 visas. An H-1B visa lawyer in California, PA can help you with preparing your petition so your application can have more chances in this process.
Application Deadlines - When applying for an H-1B visa, registration is typically open for just a few weeks in March, and the selected employers and applicants only have a few weeks to apply from the date of selection. Hiring an H-1B visa lawyer in California, PA is a smart move. They are experienced with the process and can help ensure that your paperwork is submitted correctly in the fast process.
Required Employer Sponsorship - Employers who already have a lot on their plates will frequently turn to Pennsylvania corporate immigration lawyers to help take the stress of composing the visa application in this regulated, high-stakes legal process. Precision and timeliness are critical for visa applications, and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with keeping track of important information and deadlines on your behalf.
Policy Changes - Nearly every year, changes are made to H-1B visa adjudications. An immigration lawyer with expertise in California, PA can assist you with those adjustments to make sure your registration and application are finalized correctly.
What a TN Visa Lawyer in California, PA Can Do
Much like H-1B visas, TN visas also require documentation on both the employer's and Mexican or Canadian citizens' sides. An experienced TN visa attorney in California, PA can assist you with this process to a fruitful outcome.
Review Eligibility - TN visa lawyers in California, PA can help review your or your potential employee’s qualifications and information to figure out if they qualify for a TN visa, helping save time and prevent future legal issues. They can also assist you prepare the required documentation and make sure that the TN visa is the right one for your employee.
Extensions - Since TN visas must be renewed before they expire, your California, PA TN visa lawyer can help you remain current with any policy changes and the information needed to renew your visa. Your TN visa attorney can help you prevent gaps in your visa and continue your legal working status.
Employer Compliance Requirements - Employers hold the responsibility for complying with California, PA employment and immigration laws, which includes staying up to date with visa paperwork, properly document job duties and wages, preserving H-1B visa Public Access Files, and additional requirements. California visa lawyers from our team can coach the necessary staff to maintain compliance throughout the petition and reduce the risk of audits and legal troubles.
Why Hire an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in California, PA?
Whether you or your employee needs to apply for a TN or H-1B visa for temporary work in California, PA, it can be a complex and time-consuming process. In addition, mistakes in the application can result in automatic denial.
California, PA H-1B or TN visa attorneys are experienced in the complications of each visa and can help you understand the lotteries, deadlines, and correct documentation associated with them. Moreover, an H-1B or TN visa lawyer in California, PA can aid in your specific situation, especially if you need to bring dependents or members of your family to Pennsylvania with you.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in California, PA?
Karen Weinstock established Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she is intimately familiar with the United States immigration process – she immigrated to the USA and has navigated a few immigration filings herself! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers has a multilingual, multicultural staff in California, Pennsylvania and beyond, who have global expertise and a combined over 100 years of legal immigration experience.
We take a proactive approach, which means we have over 20,000 approved cases of visas and green cards. We're proud to have one of the highest approval rates in the industry with only 1% of cases being denied.* If you're trying to get a work visa to legally work in the United States or an employer who wants to tap into the global talent pool, trust Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for all H-1B and TN visas in California, PA. Get a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Prior outcomes do not guarantee similar results.