H-1B Visas in Southwest, PA: What Are They?
Classified as a nonimmigrant visa, the H-1B visa allows foreign nationals in certain specialized careers to temporarily work in Southwest, PA and the rest of the United States. Potential H-1B applicants are required to have a job offer in a professional specialty like science, healthcare, education, technology, or engineering. Any professional field where that the employer can demonstrate that it is necessary to have a bachelor's degree may qualify. Initially, H-1B visas are valid for three years but may be extended to a total of six years and potentially more if the applicant pursues a green card.
Frequently, obtaining an H-1B visa is the first step immigrants take when they want to eventually apply for permanent residency and citizenship. H-1B visa holders may apply for permanent residency (known as a green card) as sponsored by their Southwest, PA job and ultimately apply for citizenship.
Southwest, 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 Southwest, PA. Canadian citizens may apply at the airport or border crossing 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.
TN visas are initially valid for three years but visa holders can extend them for additional three-year periods. Like H-1B visa applicants, those with a TN visa in Southwest, 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 Southwest, PA?
H-1B visas could seem simple but in reality, require working through a complex, often convoluted system. Southwest, PA H-1B visa attorneys can help guide you through this system and achieve a great result.
Visa Cap Limitations - The biggest hurdle Pennsylvania applicants encounter is the annual cap placed on how many new H-1B visas are issued. The current Congressional cap per fiscal year is 65,000, and then 20,000 additional visas in the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Due to the limited number of approvable visas, it's imperative you ensure your paperwork is submitted accurately with all the right 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 attorney in Southwest, PA can assist you in preparing your visa application to be more competitive in pursuing this highly selective visa.
Application Turnaround Times - The registration window to apply for an H-1B visa is normally only allowed during a few weeks in March, and then the employers and applicants that are chosen have a few short weeks to apply once they've been notified of selection. If you work with an H-1B lawyer in Southwest, 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 assist the employer with preparing the visa application in this legal process that involves many regulations. Timeliness and accuracy 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 - Nearly every year, H-1B adjudication policies change. An experienced immigration attorney in Southwest, PA can help you navigate those shifts to make sure your registration and application are finalized correctly.
Get Help from a TN Visa Attorney in Southwest, PA
Similarly to H-1B visas, TN visas need proper documentation for both parties, the Canadian or Mexican citizen and the employer. A knowledgeable Southwest, PA TN visa attorney can walk you through the process to help you achieve a successful outcome.
Eligibility - A TN visa lawyer in Southwest, 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 help prepare the necessary paperwork for this process and ensure that a TN visa is the right choice for your situation.
Visa Extension - Since TN visas must be renewed before they expire, your Southwest, PA TN visa lawyer can help ensure you remain updated with changes in policy and the required details needed to renew your visa each time. They can help you prevent delays in your visa and ensure you can keep legally working.
Employer Compliance - Employers are the party responsible for immigration and employment law compliance in Southwest, 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. One of our Southwest visa lawyers can ensure your team is trained and prepared to maintain legal compliance throughout the application and reduce the risk of audits and legal troubles.
Why You Should Hire an H-1B or TN Visa Attorney in Southwest, PA
No matter if you or your employee is seeking an H-1B or TN visa so that they can legally work in Southwest, PA, it can be a time-consuming, complicated process. Moreover, incorrect information anywhere on the application may lead to your petition being denied.
Southwest, PA H-1B or TN visa attorneys are knowledgeable about the intricacies of each visa type and can assist you in navigating the necessary paperwork, deadlines, and lotteries associated with them. Furthermore, Southwest, PA immigration lawyers can aid in your specific situation, which include additional dependents and immediate family members to Pennsylvania with you.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Southwest, PA?
Karen Weinstock started Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she intimately understands the immigration process – she relocated to the U.S. and went through multiple immigration processes herself! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers is comprised of team members who are multilingual and multicultural in Southwest, Pennsylvania, who have global expertise and a combined over 100 years of legal immigration experience.
We take a proactive approach, which has led to us successfully getting approved over 20,000 visa and green card cases. That's 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 seeking to take advantage of the best talent the world has to offer, trust Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for your H-1B and TN visa needs in Southwest, PA. Get a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not ensure a similar outcome.