Erie, PA H-1B Visas Explained
H-1B visas are a type of nonimmigrant visa that allows citizens of foreign countries in particular job industries to temporarily work and live in Erie and the entire United States. In order to apply for an H-1B, applicants must already have a job offer in a professional specialty like science, healthcare, education, technology, or engineering. Any area of work where the hiring company can prove a bachelor’s degree is the minimum entry requirement could potentially fit. H-1B visas are good for three years but can be extended to a six-year maximum and even longer if the applicant decides to apply for permanent residency.
For many, an H-1B visa is the first filing immigrants take when they want to eventually apply for permanent residency and citizenship. H-1B visa holders may apply for permanent residency (also called a green card) through sponsorship from their Erie, PA employer and then apply for United States citizenship.
TN Visas in Erie, PA: What Are They?
Another type of nonimmigrant visa for working professionals is the TN visa, which is exclusively for citizens of Canada and Mexico. The qualifications for TN visa applicants are stricter because the list of occupations is finite. This includes pharmacists, accountants, engineers, management consultants, and scientists. TN visa applicants are required to have a U.S. job offer (e.g., in Erie, PA) in order to qualify. 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, 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. Similar to H-1B visas, TN visa holders in Erie, PA can change to a green card if eligible.
How an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Erie, PA Can Help You
H-1B visas may seem straightforward but require navigating a complex, sometimes vague system. H-1B visa lawyers in Erie, PA can help you navigate this system and achieve a great result.
Cap Limitations - The biggest hurdle Pennsylvania applicants encounter is the annual cap placed on how many new H-1B visas are issued. 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. Since visas are severely limited and many apply, it's critical that your paperwork is submitted correctly and with accurate 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. Erie, PA H-1B visa attorneys can help you take the necessary steps for your petition so you may ensure proper filing in this selective process.
Dates To Remember - Registration to apply for an H-1B visa is usually open for only a couple of weeks in March each year, 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 Erie, PA is a smart move. They are experienced with the process and can help make sure your application has been filed correctly in the short turnaround time.
Sponsorship by Employers - Busy employers and their HR teams often turn to Pennsylvania corporate immigration lawyers to help alleviate the stress of preparing the employer’s portion of the application in this highly-regulated legal process. Precision and timeliness are crucial for visa applications, and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with keeping track of important information and due dates on your behalf.
Shifting Policies - Almost each and every year, the policies around H-1B visas shift. An experienced Erie, PA immigration lawyer can help you understand those policy changes so your registration and application are filed on time and completely.
What a TN Visa Lawyer in Erie, PA Can Do
Like H-1B visas, TN visas require proper paperwork from both the applicant and the employer. An experienced TN visa attorney in Erie, PA can help you navigate this process to a successful outcome.
Eligibility - Erie, PA TN visa attorneys can analyze your or your potential new employee's education and experience to determine if they meet the eligibility 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.
Extensions - Before they expire, TN visas require an extension, and your TN visa lawyer in Erie, PA can help you stay up to date with any policy changes and the guidance you need for visa renewal. They can help you prevent delays in your visa and retain your legal right to work.
Employer Visa Compliance - Employers are responsible for complying with immigration and employment laws in Erie, PA, which means staying on top of visa documentation, properly document job duties and wages, maintaining Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and additional obligations. Erie visa lawyers from our team can ensure your team is trained and prepared to remain legally compliant during the process and minimize the chances of a government audit.
Benefits of Hiring TN or H-1B Visa Lawyers in Erie, PA
If you or a potential employee is pursuing a TN or H-1B visa to work in Erie, PA, it can be a time-consuming, complicated 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 Erie, PA is experienced in the complications of each visa and can help you work through the deadlines, lotteries, and correct paperwork that are associated with each one. Furthermore, Erie, PA immigration lawyers can help with your individual situation, such as bringing spouse and children or members of your family to Pennsylvania with you.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Erie, 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 went through multiple immigration processes herself! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers has a multilingual, multicultural staff in Erie, Pennsylvania and beyond, who possess international expertise and boasts a combined more than 100 years of legal immigration experience.
Our proactive perspective 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.* Whether you’re looking to obtain a work visa to work in the USA or an employer hoping to hire global talent, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for your TN and H-1B visa needs in Erie, PA. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.