Elizabethtown, PA H-1B Visas Explained
Classified as a nonimmigrant visa, the H-1B visa authorizes foreign nationals in specialized fields of work to temporarily work and live in Elizabethtown and the entire United States. To qualify for an H-1B, applicants must already have been offered a job in a specialized professional field like science, healthcare, education, technology, or engineering. Any professional field where the employer can prove a bachelor's degree is the minimum qualification required could potentially fit. H-1B visas are initially three years long but may be extended to a total of six years or more 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 (also known as a green card) via sponsorship through their Elizabethtown, PA job and eventually apply for citizenship.
TN Visas for Mexican and Canadian Citizens in Elizabethtown, PA
Another type of work visa for professionals is the TN visa, which is specifically for Canadian and Mexican citizens. There are stricter qualifications for TN visas because the list of occupations is restricted. 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 Elizabethtown, PA). If you are a Canadian citizen, you are able to apply directly at an airport or border and do not need to have a visa stamped at the consulate, however, Mexican citizens must apply for a visa ahead of time.
TN visas are initially valid for three years but can be extended for additional three-year periods. Akin to H-1B visa holders, those with a TN visa in Elizabethtown, PA can choose to transition to a green card if they are qualified.
Do I Need a Lawyer for an H-1B Visa in Elizabethtown, PA?
The steps to acquiring H-1B visas could look straightforward but actually require you to go through a complex, frequently vague bureaucracy. An H-1B visa lawyer in Elizabethtown, PA can help you work through this system and gain a desired outcome.
H-1B Cap Issues - One of the most difficult challenges that Pennsylvania applicants must meet is the H-1B visa cap, or the limit on how many new visas can be issued annually. 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. Due to the limited number of approvable visas, your paperwork must be without errors and submitted correctly.
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 Elizabethtown, PA can help you with preparing your petition to be more competitive in pursuing this highly selective visa.
Deadlines - When applying for an H-1B visa, registration is normally only allowed during a few weeks in March, and then applicants and employers who are selected only have a few weeks after being informed of their selection to apply. Hiring an H-1B visa lawyer in Elizabethtown, PA is a smart move. They are experienced with the process and can assist you in filling out the required forms properly in the limited timeframe.
Required Employer Sponsorship - Employers who want to file correctly commonly look to Pennsylvania corporate immigration attorneys to assist the employer with preparing the visa application in this heavily regulated legal system. Timeliness and accuracy are vital for visa petitions and your H-1B visa lawyer can help monitor important paperwork and track time limits on your behalf.
Changing Policies - Almost each and every year, the policies around H-1B visa adjudication change. A knowledgeable, skilled Elizabethtown, PA immigration attorney can assist you with those adjustments so your registration and application are filed on time and completely.
How TN Visa Lawyers in Elizabethtown, PA Can Help
Much like H-1B visas, TN visas require proper paperwork for both the employer and the Canadian or Mexican citizen applicant. A knowledgeable Elizabethtown, PA TN visa attorney can help you navigate this process to a successful outcome.
Check for Eligibility - A TN visa attorney in Elizabethtown, PA can review your or your future employee's qualifications and information to determine if they meet the eligibility requirements for a TN visa, helping save time and prevent future legal issues. They can also assist you prepare the required documentation and ensure that a TN visa is the right choice for your situation.
Extensions - TN visas must be renewed before their expiration, so your TN visa lawyer in Elizabethtown, PA can help you stay up to date with any policy changes and the required details needed to renew your visa each time. Your TN visa lawyer can assist you and avert gaps in your visa and retain your legal right to work.
Employer Visa Compliance - Employers are the party responsible for immigration and employment law compliance in Elizabethtown, PA which means keeping up with visa documentation, properly document job duties and wages, maintaining Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and additional requirements. Your Elizabethtown visa lawyers can prepare and train relevant 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 Elizabethtown, PA
Whether you or your employee needs to apply for a TN or H-1B visa for temporary work in Elizabethtown, PA, it can be a lengthy and extremely complex process. Additionally, erroneous information on any piece of the application may lead to your petition being denied.
A TN visa attorney or H-1B visa lawyer in Elizabethtown, PA is experienced in the complications of each visa and can help you work through the lotteries, deadlines, and correct documentation that are associated with each one. Moreover, an H-1B or TN visa lawyer in Elizabethtown, PA can adjust to special circumstances, such as bringing spouse and children and immediate family members to Pennsylvania with you.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Elizabethtown, PA?
Karen Weinstock started Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she is deeply familiar with the immigration procedures– she immigrated to the USA and has navigated a few immigration filings herself! The Weinstock Immigration Lawyers team is multilingual and multicultural, located in Elizabethtown, PA, and beyond, who possess international expertise and boasts a combined more than 100 years of legal immigration experience.
Our hands-on approach means we have over 20,000 approved cases of visas and green cards. That's 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 ready to hire the best global talent, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers can help with your H-1B and TN visa needs in Elizabethtown, PA. Get in touch today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior outcomes do not guarantee similar results.