H-1B Visas for Temporary Work in Columbia, PA
Classified as a nonimmigrant visa, the H-1B visa authorizes foreign nationals in certain specialized careers to work in Columbia, 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 specialized professional field such as engineering, science, healthcare, education, or IT. Any professional field where the hiring company can prove it is required to have a bachelor's degree might qualify. H-1B visas are initially three years long but may be extended to a total of six years and potentially more if the applicant pursues a green card.
Often, an H-1B is the first application towards permanent residency and citizenship. Many H-1B visa applicants file for permanent residency (also known as a green card) via sponsorship through their Columbia, PA job and then apply for United States citizenship.
TN Visas in Columbia, PA: What Are They?
TN visas are another type of nonimmigrant visa for professionals, designated for Mexican and Canadian citizens. TN visas have more strict qualifications for professions because the list of occupations is closed. The list includes engineers, pharmacists, management consultants, scientists, and accountants. Applicants must already have a job offer in the United States (for example in: Columbia, PA) 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, 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, TN visa holders in Columbia, PA are able to transition to a green card if eligible.
Do I Need a Lawyer for an H-1B Visa in Columbia, PA?
H-1B visas may seem straightforward but require navigating a complex, frequently vague bureaucracy. H-1B visa lawyers in Columbia, PA can help you navigate this system and successfully petition your visa.
Visa Cap Limitations - One of the most difficult challenges that Pennsylvania applicants must meet is the cap on how many new H-1B visas may be issued each year. 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, all of your application paperwork must be accurate and submitted properly.
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 Columbia, PA can help you with preparing your petition so you may ensure proper filing in this selective process.
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 only have a few weeks after being informed of their selection to apply. An H-1B attorney in Columbia, PA is well-versed in the process and can assist you in filling out the required forms properly in the limited timeframe.
Sponsorship by Employers - Busy employers and their HR teams often turn to Pennsylvania corporate immigration lawyers to help take the stress of composing the visa application in this highly-regulated legal process. Precision and timeliness are crucial for visa applications, and your H-1B visa lawyer can help monitor important paperwork and deadlines on your behalf.
Changing Policies - Nearly every year, H-1B adjudication policies change. An immigration lawyer with expertise in Columbia, PA can help you understand and navigate the changes so your registration and application are filed on time and accurately.
How a TN Visa Attorney in Columbia, PA Can Help You
In similar fashion to H-1B visas, TN visas need proper documentation for both parties, the Canadian or Mexican citizen and the employer. An experienced Columbia, PA TN visa lawyer can walk you through the process to help you achieve a successful outcome.
Eligibility - Columbia, PA TN visa attorneys can assess your or your potential new hire'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.
Extensions - Because TN visas must be extended prior to expiration, your TN visa lawyer in Columbia, PA can help you stay up to date with potential policy changes and the required details needed to renew your visa each time. They can help you avoid delays in your visa and ensure you can keep legally working.
Employer Compliance Requirements - Employers are responsible for complying with immigration and employment laws in Columbia, PA, which means staying current with visa paperwork, logging job duties and wages, maintaining Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and additional obligations. One of our Columbia visa lawyers can prepare and train relevant staff to stay compliant throughout the process and reduce the chance of government audits.
Why Hire an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Columbia, PA?
If you or a potential employee is pursuing an H-1B or TN visa to work in Columbia, PA, 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 Columbia, PA is experienced in the complications of each visa and can help you work through the required documentation, lotteries, and deadlines that are associated with each one. Furthermore, Columbia, PA immigration lawyers can aid in your specific situation, including bringing dependents and immediate family members to Pennsylvania with you.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Columbia, PA?
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, who intimately understands the immigration process – she relocated to the U.S. and went through several immigration procedures herself! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers has a multilingual, multicultural staff in Columbia, Pennsylvania and beyond, with worldwide expertise and a combined over 100 years of legal immigration experience.
Our proactive perspective means we have over 20,000 approved cases of visas and green cards. That gives us one of the highest approval rates in the industry, with only a 1% denial rate.* 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 of your TN and H-1B visa needs in Columbia, PA. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.