Understanding H-1B Visas in Columbus, PA
H-1B visas are a type of nonimmigrant visa that allows citizens of foreign countries in specialized areas of employment to work for a finiteamount of time in Columbus, PA and the United States in general. Potential H-1B applicants are required to have a job offer in a highly-specialized industry like science, healthcare, education, technology, or engineering. Any area of work where employers can show it is necessary to have a bachelor's degree could be eligible. The initial term for an H-1B visa is three years, but it may be extended up to six years and potentially more if the employee chooses to apply for permanent residency.
Frequently, obtaining an H-1B visa is the first step towards eventually applying for permanent residency and citizenship. holders of H-1B visa may seek permanent residency (known as a green card) via sponsorship through their Columbus, PA job and then petition to obtain U.S. citizenship.
Columbus, PA TN Visas Explained
TN visas are another temporary work visa type, but they are designated for Mexican and Canadian citizens. TN visas have more strict qualifications for professions because the list of occupations is closed. This includes pharmacists, accountants, engineers, management consultants, and scientists. In order to qualify for a TN visa, applicants must have a full-time U.S. job offer (ex.: in Columbus, PA). Canadian citizens can apply directly at the border or airport 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.
TN visas are initially valid for three years but can be extended by three-year increments each time. Like H-1B visa applicants, those with a TN visa in Columbus, PA can choose to shift to a green card if eligible.
What an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Columbus, PA Can Help You With
H-1B visas could seem simple but require navigating a complex, frequently vague bureaucracy. H-1B visa lawyers in Columbus, PA can help you navigate this system and successfully petition your visa.
Cap Limitations - The biggest hurdle Pennsylvania applicants encounter 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, plus an additional 20,000 visas allocated through the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Due to the limited number of approvable visas, 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 Columbus, PA can help you with preparing your petition so your application can have more chances in this process.
Application Turnaround Times - The registration window to apply for an H-1B visa is routinely open for a few short weeks each March, and then the employers and applicants that are chosen have a few short weeks to apply once they've been notified of selection. H-1B lawyers in Columbus, PA have expertise in this application process and can help make sure the proper forms and documents are filled out correctly in the small window of opportunity.
Employer Visa Sponsorship - Employers who already have a lot on their plates normally will hire Pennsylvania corporate immigration attorneys to assist the employer with preparing the visa application in this legal process that involves many regulations. Timeliness and accuracy are crucial for visa applications, and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with organizing essential information and manage deadlines for you.
Changing Policies - Just about each year, H-1B adjudication policies change. An experienced immigration attorney in Columbus, PA can help you understand those policy changes so your registration and application are filed on time and properly.
How TN Visa Lawyers in Columbus, PA Can Help
Like H-1B visas, TN visas also require documentation from both the applicant and the employer. A TN visa lawyer in Columbus, PA with experience can help you navigate this process to a successful outcome.
Eligibility - Columbus, PA TN visa attorneys can analyze your or your potential new employee's qualifications and information to help decide if they meet the requirements for a TN visa, saving you from potential legal problems in the future. They can also assist you prepare the required documentation and make sure that the TN visa is the right one for your employee.
Visa Renewal - Before they expire, TN visas require an extension, and your TN visa lawyer in Columbus, PA can help keep you updated with any policy changes and the necessary information that you need to renew your visa. Your TN visa lawyer can assist you and avert gaps in your visa and ensure you can keep legally working.
Employer Compliance - The duty for Columbus, PA immigration and employment compliance lies with the employer, which means staying on top of visa documentation, recording wages and job assignments, preserving H-1B visa Public Access Files, and additional obligations. Your Columbus visa attorneys can coach the necessary staff to maintain legal compliance throughout the application and reduce the chance of government audits.
Why Hire an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Columbus, PA?
Whether you or your employee is seeking a TN or H-1B visa to work in Columbus, PA, it can be a time-consuming, complicated process. Additionally, erroneous information on any piece of the application may cause your application to be denied.
An H-1B visa lawyer or TN visa attorney in Columbus, PA is experienced in the complications of each visa and can assist in managing the required documentation, lotteries, and deadlines correlated with each. Furthermore, Columbus, PA immigration lawyers can adjust to special circumstances, which include additional dependents or other immediate relatives with you to Pennsylvania.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Columbus, PA?
Karen Weinstock established 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! The Weinstock team is made up of multilingual, multicultural staff in Columbus, PA, and throughout, who possess international expertise and over 100 years of legal immigration experience together.
We take a proactive approach, which 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.* No matter if you're an individual hoping to secure a temporary visa in the U.S. or an employer seeking to take advantage of the best talent the world has to offer, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers can help with all H-1B and TN visas in Columbus, PA. Get in touch today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior outcomes do not guarantee similar results.