Mercersburg, PA H-1B Visas Explained
Classified as a nonimmigrant visa, the H-1B visa allows citizens of foreign countries in specialized areas of employment to work in Mercersburg, PA and the rest of the U.S. for a specific amount of time. H-1B applicants must have a job offer from a U.S. employer in a highly-specialized industry like science, healthcare, education, technology, or engineering. Any professional field where the employer can prove a bachelor’s degree is the minimum entry requirement could be eligible. Initially, H-1B visas are valid for three years but may be extended to a total of six years or longer if the applicant pursues a green card.
For many, an H-1B visa is the first filing individuals take towards permanent residency and citizenship. holders of H-1B visa may seek permanent residency (also known as a green card) sponsored by their Mercersburg, PA employer and ultimately apply for citizenship.
Mercersburg, PA TN Visas Explained
TN visas are another temporary work visa type, but they are specifically for Canadian and Mexican citizens. The qualifications for TN visa applicants are stricter because the list of occupations is finite. The list includes engineers, pharmacists, management consultants, scientists, and accountants. In order to qualify for a TN visa, applicants must have a full-time U.S. job offer (ex.: in Mercersburg, 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.
To start, TN visas are 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 Mercersburg, PA can choose to shift to a green card if certain requirements are met.
Do I Need a Lawyer for an H-1B Visa in Mercersburg, PA?
H-1B visas might appear to be simple but actually require you to go through a complex, potentially convoluted process. An H-1B visa attorney in Mercersburg, PA can assist you with this system and obtain a successful outcome.
H-1B Cap Issues - The biggest hurdle Pennsylvania applicants encounter is the H-1B visa cap, or the limit on how many new visas can be issued annually. The cap is set at 65,000 per government fiscal year, with 20,000 additional visas issued through the H-1B advanced degree exemption. With a limited number of visas available, it's critical that your paperwork is submitted correctly and with accurate information.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reported receiving 758,994 eligible registrations in 2023, and selected 188,400 to apply for just 65,000 available H-1B visas. An H-1B visa lawyer in Mercersburg, PA can help you with preparing your petition to be more competitive in pursuing this highly selective visa.
Application Turnaround Times - Registration for H-1B visa application is typically open for just a few weeks in March, and once selected, applicants and their employers only have a few weeks to apply from the date of selection. H-1B lawyers in Mercersburg, PA have expertise in this application process and can help make sure your application has been filed correctly in the small window of opportunity.
Employer Visa Sponsorship - Employers who want to file correctly commonly look to Pennsylvania corporate immigration attorneys to help take the stress of composing the visa application in this legal process that involves many regulations. Accuracy and punctuality are critical for visa applications, and your H-1B visa lawyer can help keep track of essential information and manage deadlines for you.
Shifting Policies - Almost each and every year, the policies around H-1B visa adjudication change. An immigration lawyer with expertise in Mercersburg, PA can help you understand and navigate the changes so your registration and application are filed on time and accurately.
How a TN Visa Attorney in Mercersburg, PA Can Help You
Similarly to H-1B visas, TN visas require proper paperwork for both the employer and the Canadian or Mexican citizen applicant. An experienced TN visa attorney in Mercersburg, PA can help you navigate this process to a successful outcome.
Eligibility Determination - TN visa lawyers in Mercersburg, PA can help review your or your potential employee’s information and qualifications to figure out if they qualify 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 a TN visa is the correct one for this situation.
Renewal - Since TN visas must be renewed before they expire, your TN visa attorney in Mercersburg, PA can help you stay up to date with changing policies and the required details needed to renew your visa each time. Your TN visa attorney can help you prevent gaps in your visa and ensure you can keep legally working.
Employer Legal Compliance - The duty for Mercersburg, PA immigration and employment compliance lies with the employer, which means staying current with visa paperwork, documenting wages and job duties, keeping H-1B visa Public Access Files, along with other requirements. Mercersburg visa lawyers from our team can ensure your team is trained and prepared to maintain legal compliance throughout the application and reduce the risk of audits and legal troubles.
The Benefits of Hiring an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Mercersburg, PA
No matter if you or your employee is seeking a TN or H-1B visa to work in Mercersburg, PA, it can be a time-consuming, complicated process. Moreover, incorrect information anywhere on the application can cause it to be denied outright.
A TN visa attorney or H-1B visa lawyer in Mercersburg, PA is knowledgeable about the intricacies of each visa type and can assist in managing the lotteries, deadlines, and correct documentation correlated with each. Additionally, an H-1B visa lawyer in Mercersburg, PA can assist with your unique situation, such as bringing spouse and children or close relatives to Pennsylvania with you.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Mercersburg, PA?
Karen Weinstock established Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she is intimately familiar with the United States immigration process – she relocated to the U.S. and has navigated a few immigration filings herself! The Weinstock Immigration Lawyers team is multilingual and multicultural, located in Mercersburg, PA, and beyond, with worldwide expertise and boasts a combined more than 100 years of legal immigration experience.
Our hands-on approach has resulted in over 20,000 cases of approved visas and green cards. That's 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 hoping to hire global talent, trust Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for all H-1B and TN visas in Mercersburg, PA. Get a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure the same outcome.