H-1B Visas in Somerset, PA: What Are They?
Classified as a nonimmigrant visa, the H-1B visa permits foreign citizens in specialized areas of employment to work for a finiteamount of time in Somerset, PA and the United States in general. H-1B applicants must have a job offer from a U.S. employer in a specialized profession 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 potentially fit. H-1B visas are initially three years long but can be extended to a six-year maximum or longer if the applicant pursues a green card.
Typically, securing an H-1B visa is the first step individuals take towards permanent residency and citizenship. H-1B visa holders may apply for permanent residency (known as a green card) via sponsorship through their Somerset, PA job and then petition to obtain U.S. citizenship.
Somerset, 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. A full-time U.S. job offer is required for TN visa applicants in Somerset, PA. For Canadian citizens, you can apply directly at the border or at the airport and don’t have to go to a consulate to get a visa stamped, but Mexican citizens must go to a consulate to apply for a visa.
To start, TN visas are valid for three years but can be extended by three-year increments each time. Akin to H-1B visa holders, TN visa holders in Somerset, PA are able to transition to a green card if they are qualified.
What an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Somerset, PA Can Help You With
H-1B visas might appear to be simple but in reality, require working through a complex, sometimes vague system. An H-1B visa lawyer in Somerset, PA can help you work through this system and successfully petition your visa.
Visa Cap Limitations - One of the most difficult challenges that Pennsylvania applicants must meet is the cap on the number of new H-1B visas that may be issued yearly. The current Congressional cap per fiscal year is 65,000, plus an additional 20,000 visas allocated through the H-1B advanced degree exemption. With a limited number of visas available, your paperwork must be without errors and submitted correctly.
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 Somerset, PA can help you prepare your application so your application can have more chances in this process.
Deadlines - Registration to apply for an H-1B visa is normally only allowed during a few weeks in March, and once selected, applicants and their employers only have a few weeks to apply from the date of selection. If you work with an H-1B lawyer in Somerset, PA, they are familiar with this process and can help make sure the proper forms and documents are filled out correctly in the short turnaround time.
Employer Visa Sponsorship - Busy employers and their HR teams commonly look to Pennsylvania corporate immigration attorneys to help take the stress of composing the visa application in this regulated, high-stakes legal process. Accuracy and timeliness are paramount for these applications, and your H-1B visa lawyer can help keep track of essential information and manage deadlines for you.
Changing Policies - Nearly every year, the policies around H-1B visa adjudication change. An experienced immigration attorney in Somerset, PA can help you understand those policy changes to make sure your registration and application are prepared properly.
Get Help from a TN Visa Attorney in Somerset, PA
In similar fashion to H-1B visas, TN visas require proper paperwork for both parties, the Canadian or Mexican citizen and the employer. A knowledgeable Somerset, PA TN visa attorney can walk you through the process to help you achieve a successful outcome.
Eligibility - A TN visa attorney in Somerset, PA can help review your or your potential employee’s qualifications and information to help decide if they meet the requirements for a TN visa, helping save time and prevent future legal issues. They can also assist you prepare the required documentation and confirm the TN visa is the right type to pursue.
Visa Extension - Since TN visas must be renewed before they expire, your TN visa lawyer in Somerset, PA can help keep you updated with changes in policy and the required details needed to renew your visa each time. They can help you avoid delays in your visa and maintain your legal employment status.
Employer Compliance - The duty for Somerset, PA immigration and employment compliance lies with the employer, which means staying current with visa paperwork, properly document job duties and wages, maintaining Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and many more obligations. Your Somerset visa lawyers can coach the necessary staff to remain legally compliant during the process and reduce the chance of government audits.
Why Hire an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Somerset, PA?
Whether you or your employee is seeking an H-1B or TN visa to work in Somerset, PA, it can be a lengthy and extremely complex process. Additionally, erroneous information on any piece of the application may lead to your petition being denied.
Somerset, PA H-1B or TN visa attorneys are knowledgeable about the intricacies of each visa type and can assist you in navigating the lotteries, deadlines, and correct documentation that correspond with each one. Moreover, an H-1B or TN visa lawyer in Somerset, PA can adjust to special circumstances, 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 Somerset, PA?
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, who intimately understands the immigration process – she relocated to the U.S. and has navigated a few immigration filings herself! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers is comprised of team members who are multilingual and multicultural in Somerset, Pennsylvania, with worldwide expertise and together, they have more than 100 years of legal immigration experience.
We take a proactive approach, which means that we boast over 20,000 cases of approved green cards and visas. 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, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers can help with all of your TN and H-1B visa needs in Somerset, PA. Contact us for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior outcomes do not guarantee similar results.