Johnstown, PA H-1B Visas Explained
An H-1B visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa which authorizes foreign nationals in particular job industries to temporarily work and live in Johnstown and the entire United States. To qualify for an H-1B, applicants must already have been offered a job in a specialized professional field such as engineering, science, healthcare, education, or IT. Any professional field where that the employer can demonstrate that it is necessary to have a bachelor's degree might qualify. H-1B visas are good for three years but have the option to be extended up to six years or more if the employee chooses to apply for permanent residency.
Frequently, obtaining an H-1B visa is the first step towards permanent residency and citizenship. Many H-1B visa applicants file for permanent residency (also called a green card) via sponsorship through their Johnstown, PA job and then petition to obtain U.S. citizenship.
Johnstown, PA TN Visas Explained
TN visas are another type of nonimmigrant visa for professionals, 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. A full-time U.S. job offer is required for TN visa applicants in Johnstown, PA. If you are a Canadian citizen, you are able to apply directly at an airport or border and need not obtain a visa stamp at a consulate ahead of time, but Mexican citizens must go to a consulate to apply for a visa.
TN visas are valid for three years initially but can be extended by three-year increments each time. Akin to H-1B visa holders, TN visa holders in Johnstown, PA are able to transition to a green card if they are qualified.
Do I Need a Lawyer for an H-1B Visa in Johnstown, PA?
The steps to acquiring H-1B visas could look straightforward but in actuality, they require navigating a complicated, often convoluted system. An H-1B visa attorney in Johnstown, PA can assist you with this system and successfully petition your visa.
Cap Limitations - The biggest hurdle Pennsylvania applicants encounter is the annual cap placed on how many new H-1B visas are issued. The cap is set at 65,000 per government fiscal year, with an additional 20,000 visas available under 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. An H-1B visa lawyer in Johnstown, PA can help you prepare your application so you may ensure proper filing in this selective process.
Deadlines - When applying for an H-1B visa, registration is usually open for only a couple of weeks in March each year, and the selected employers and applicants only have a few weeks after being informed of their selection to apply. H-1B lawyers in Johnstown, PA have expertise in this application process and can help ensure that your paperwork is submitted correctly in the small window of opportunity.
Employer Sponsorship - Employers have a lot to manage, so they normally will hire Pennsylvania corporate immigration attorneys to assist the employer with preparing the visa application in this heavily regulated legal system. Accuracy and punctuality are critical for visa applications, and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with keeping track of important information and manage deadlines for you.
Visa Policies Change Frequently - Almost each and every year, the policies around H-1B visas shift. A knowledgeable, skilled Johnstown, PA immigration attorney can help you navigate those shifts to make sure your registration and application are finalized accurately.
How a TN Visa Attorney in Johnstown, PA Can Help You
Much like H-1B visas, TN visas need proper documentation from both the applicant and the employer. An experienced Johnstown, PA TN visa lawyer can walk you through the process to help you achieve a successful outcome.
Review Eligibility - A TN visa attorney in Johnstown, PA can review your or your future employee's education and experience to figure out if they qualify for a TN visa, helping save time and prevent future legal issues. They can also help you assemble the necessary paperwork and make sure that a TN visa is the correct one for this situation.
Visa Renewal - Since TN visas must be renewed before they expire, your TN visa lawyer in Johnstown, PA can help ensure you remain updated with changing policies and the information needed 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 Requirements - Employers hold the responsibility for complying with Johnstown, PA employment and immigration laws, which means staying current with visa paperwork, logging job duties and wages, keeping H-1B visa Public Access Files, and additional requirements. Your Johnstown visa lawyers can coach the necessary staff to maintain legal compliance throughout the application and minimize the risk of running into legal problems.
The Benefits of Hiring an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Johnstown, PA
If you or a potential employee is pursuing a TN or H-1B visa to work in Johnstown, PA, the process can be complicated and taxing. Sometimes, an inaccurate piece of information on the application can result in automatic denial.
An H-1B visa attorney or TN visa lawyer in Johnstown, PA is knowledgeable about the complexities of these visas and can assist in managing the deadlines, lotteries, and correct paperwork correlated with each. In addition, a TN visa lawyer or H-1B attorney in Johnstown, PA can adjust to special circumstances, including bringing dependents or members of your family to Pennsylvania with you.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Johnstown, PA?
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, who is deeply familiar with the immigration procedures– she moved to the United States and has navigated a few immigration filings herself! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers is comprised of team members who are multilingual and multicultural in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, with worldwide expertise and a combined over 100 years of legal immigration experience.
Our proactive perspective means that we boast over 20,000 cases of approved green cards and visas. We're proud to have one of the highest approval rates in the industry with only 1% of cases being denied.* If you're trying to get a work visa to legally work in the United States or an employer hoping to hire global talent, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers is here for all of your TN and H-1B visa needs in Johnstown, PA. Contact us for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior outcomes do not guarantee similar results.