Understanding H-1B Visas in Elkins Park, PA
An H-1B visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa which allows foreign nationals in specialized fields of work to work in Elkins Park, PA and the rest of the U.S. for a specific amount of time. In order to apply for an H-1B, applicants must already have a job offer in a specialized profession such as engineering, science, healthcare, education, or IT. Any line of work where the employer can prove a bachelor’s degree is the minimum entry requirement could potentially fit. H-1B visas are good for three years but have the option to be extended up to six years and potentially more if the applicant decides to apply for permanent residency.
Often, an H-1B is the first application individuals take towards permanent residency and citizenship. H-1B visa holders may apply for permanent residency (also known as a green card) sponsored by their Elkins Park, PA employer and ultimately apply for citizenship.
TN Visas in Elkins Park, PA: What Are They?
Another type of work visa for professionals is the TN visa, which is exclusively for citizens of Canada and Mexico. The list of occupations for TN visas is closed, so this visa type has more stringent qualifications. 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 Elkins Park, PA). Canadian citizens may apply at the airport or border crossing 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 can be extended for three-year periods at a time. Much like H-1B visas, TN visa holders in Elkins Park, PA can transition to a green card if eligible.
How an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Elkins Park, PA Can Help You
H-1B visas could seem simple but actually require you to go through a complex, frequently vague bureaucracy. Elkins Park, PA H-1B visa attorneys can help guide you through this system and gain a desired outcome.
Visa Caps - The main challenge Pennsylvania applicants must overcome is the H-1B visa cap, or the limit on how many new visas can be issued annually. Currently, the cap is 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, 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 Elkins Park, PA can help you prepare your application and be more competitive in this highly selective process.
Application Turnaround Times - When applying for an H-1B visa, registration is typically open for just a few weeks in March, and then applicants and employers who are selected have just a few more weeks after being notified during which to apply. An H-1B attorney in Elkins Park, PA is well-versed in the process and can help make sure the proper forms and documents are filled out correctly in the short turnaround time.
Sponsorship by Employers - Employers who already have a lot on their plates will frequently turn to Pennsylvania corporate immigration lawyers to help put together the entire visa application in this heavily regulated legal system. Accuracy and punctuality are crucial for visa applications, and your H-1B visa lawyer can help keep track of essential information and deadlines on your behalf.
Shifting Policies - Practically every single year, the policies around H-1B visa adjudication change. A knowledgeable, skilled Elkins Park, PA immigration attorney can help you navigate those shifts to make sure your registration and application are prepared completely.
How TN Visa Lawyers in Elkins Park, PA Can Help
Like H-1B visas, TN visas require proper paperwork from both the applicant and the employer. A TN visa lawyer in Elkins Park, PA with experience can help you navigate this process to a successful outcome.
Eligibility - Elkins Park, PA TN visa attorneys can help review your or your potential employee’s information and qualifications to figure out if they qualify for a TN visa, helping save time and prevent future legal issues. They can also help prepare the necessary paperwork for this process and ensure that a TN visa is the right choice for your situation.
Extensions - Before they expire, TN visas require an extension, and your TN visa lawyer in Elkins Park, PA can help ensure you remain updated with changes in policy and the information needed to renew your visa. They can help you prevent delays in your visa and ensure you can keep legally working.
Employer Legal Compliance - Employers hold the responsibility for complying with Elkins Park, PA employment and immigration laws, which means keeping up with visa documentation, logging job duties and wages, maintaining Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and additional obligations. Your Elkins Park visa lawyers can train and prepare your staff members to maintain legal compliance throughout the application and reduce the chance of government audits.
Why You Should Hire an H-1B or TN Visa Attorney in Elkins Park, PA
Whether you or your employee is seeking a TN or H-1B visa to work in Elkins Park, 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 Elkins Park, PA is familiar with the intricacies of these visas and can help you understand the deadlines, lotteries, and correct paperwork that correspond with each one. Additionally, an H-1B visa lawyer in Elkins Park, PA can help with your individual situation, which include additional dependents or close relatives to Pennsylvania with you.
Trust The Visa Pros for Your H-1B and TN Visa Needs in Elkins Park, PA
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, and she 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 Elkins Park, PA, and throughout, with worldwide expertise and a combined over 100 years of legal immigration experience.
Our hands-on approach has resulted in over 20,000 cases of approved 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 seeking to take advantage of the best talent the world has to offer, trust Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for all of your TN and H-1B visa needs in Elkins Park, PA. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure the same outcome.