Understanding H-1B Visas in Smithfield, PA
An H-1B visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa which allows citizens of foreign countries in certain specialized careers to temporarily work and live in Smithfield and the entire United States. In order to apply for an H-1B, applicants must already have a job offer in a specialized professional field such as education, technology, science, engineering, or healthcare Any line of work where the employer can prove it is required to have a bachelor's degree could be eligible. H-1B visas are good for three years but may be extended to a total of six years or longer if the employee applies for permanent residency.
For many, an H-1B visa is the first filing towards eventually applying for permanent residency and citizenship. H-1B visa holders may apply for permanent residency (known as a green card) as sponsored by their Smithfield, PA job and then apply for United States citizenship.
What Is a TN Visa in Smithfield, PA?
TN visas are another temporary work visa type, but they are designated for Mexican and Canadian citizens. There are stricter qualifications for TN visas because the list of occupations is restricted. These occupations include management consultants, scientists, accountants, engineers, and pharmacists. In order to qualify for a TN visa, applicants must have a full-time U.S. job offer (ex.: in Smithfield, PA). For Canadian citizens, you can apply directly at the border or at the airport 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.
To start, TN visas are valid for three years but visa holders can extend them for additional three-year periods. Much like H-1B visas, those with a TN visa in Smithfield, PA can choose to shift to a green card if they are qualified.
How an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Smithfield, PA Can Help You
The steps to acquiring H-1B visas could look straightforward but in reality, require working through a complex, often convoluted system. Smithfield, PA H-1B visa attorneys can help guide you through this system and obtain a successful outcome.
Visa Cap Limitations - 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, and then 20,000 additional visas in the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Since visas are severely limited and many apply, all of your application paperwork must be accurate and submitted properly.
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 attorney in Smithfield, PA can assist you in preparing your visa application to be more competitive in pursuing this highly selective visa.
Application Turnaround Times - 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 have a few short weeks to apply once they've been notified of selection. If you work with an H-1B lawyer in Smithfield, PA, they are familiar with this process and can help make sure your application has been filed correctly in the limited timeframe.
Required Employer Sponsorship - Busy employers and their HR teams commonly look to Pennsylvania corporate immigration attorneys to help put together the entire visa application in this regulated, high-stakes legal process. Accuracy and timeliness are paramount for these applications, and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with organizing essential information and deadlines on your behalf.
Policy Changes - Nearly every year, the policies around H-1B visa adjudication change. An experienced Smithfield, PA immigration lawyer can help you understand those policy changes so your registration and application are filed on time and correctly.
What a TN Visa Lawyer in Smithfield, PA Can Do
Similarly to H-1B visas, TN visas necessitate correct documentation on both the employer's and Mexican or Canadian citizens' sides. An experienced TN visa attorney in Smithfield, PA can assist you with this process to a fruitful outcome.
Eligibility Determination - TN visa lawyers in Smithfield, PA can review your or your future employee's educational background and experience to help decide if they meet the 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 a TN visa is the correct one for this situation.
Extensions - Because TN visas must be extended prior to expiration, your Smithfield, PA TN visa attorney can help keep you updated with potential policy changes and the required details needed to renew your visa each time. They can help you avoid delays in your visa and retain your legal right to work.
Employer Compliance - The duty for Smithfield, PA immigration and employment compliance lies with the employer, which includes staying up to date with visa paperwork, recording wages and job assignments, preserving H-1B visa Public Access Files, and additional requirements. One of our Smithfield visa lawyers can prepare and train relevant staff to maintain compliance throughout the petition and minimize the chances of a government audit.
Why Hire an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Smithfield, PA?
If you or a potential employee is pursuing an H-1B or TN visa to work in Smithfield, PA, it can be a lengthy and extremely complex process. Additionally, erroneous information on any piece of the application can result in automatic denial.
An H-1B visa attorney or TN visa lawyer in Smithfield, PA is knowledgeable about the complexities of these visas and can assist in managing the required documentation, lotteries, and deadlines correlated with each. In addition, a TN visa lawyer or H-1B attorney in Smithfield, PA can aid in your specific situation, which include additional dependents or other immediate relatives with you to Pennsylvania.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Smithfield, PA?
Karen Weinstock started Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she understands the immigration procedures deeply – she moved to the United States and went through multiple immigration processes herself! The Weinstock team is made up of multilingual, multicultural staff in Smithfield, PA, and throughout, 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. That gives us 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, trust Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for all of your TN and H-1B visa needs in Smithfield, PA. Contact us for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior outcomes do not guarantee similar results.