Westmoreland City, PA H-1B Visas Explained
An H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows foreign nationals in specialized areas of employment to work in Westmoreland City, PA and the rest of the U.S. for a specific amount of time. To qualify for an H-1B, applicants must already have been offered a job in a specialized profession like science, healthcare, education, technology, or engineering. Any professional field where that the employer can demonstrate that a bachelor’s degree is the minimum entry requirement might qualify. H-1B visas are initially three years long but have the option to be extended up to six years and potentially more if the employee applies for permanent residency.
Typically, securing an H-1B visa is the first step towards eventually applying for permanent residency and citizenship. Those with an H-1B visa can pursue permanent residency (also called a green card) through sponsorship from their Westmoreland City, PA employer and then petition to obtain U.S. citizenship.
TN Visas in Westmoreland City, PA: What Are They?
Another type of nonimmigrant visa for working professionals is the TN visa, which is specifically for Canadian and Mexican citizens. TN visas have more strict qualifications for professions because the list of occupations is closed. This includes pharmacists, accountants, engineers, management consultants, and scientists. TN visa applicants are required to have a U.S. job offer (e.g., in Westmoreland City, PA) in order to qualify. Canadian citizens can apply directly at the border or airport and do not need to have a visa stamped at the consulate, but Mexican citizens must obtain a visa stamp.
TN visas are initially valid for three years but visa holders can extend them for additional three-year periods. Similar to H-1B visas, those with a TN visa in Westmoreland City, PA can choose to shift to a green card if eligible.
How an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Westmoreland City, PA Can Help You
H-1B visas could seem simple but actually require you to go through a complex, potentially convoluted process. An H-1B visa lawyer in Westmoreland City, PA can help you work through this system and successfully petition your visa.
Visa Caps - The biggest hurdle Pennsylvania applicants encounter is the cap on the number of new H-1B visas that may be issued yearly. The annual cap is currently set at 65,000 visas per fiscal year, with an additional 20,000 visas available under the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Since H-1B visas are extremely limited and in high demand, it's critical that your paperwork is submitted correctly and with accurate information.
For the 2023 fiscal year, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services received 758,994 eligible H-1B registrations and selected 188,400 to apply for only 65,000 visas. An H-1B visa lawyer in Westmoreland City, PA can help you with preparing your petition and be more competitive in this highly selective process.
Application Deadlines - The registration window to apply for an H-1B visa is usually open for only a couple of weeks in March each year, and once selected, applicants and their employers only have a few weeks to apply from the date of selection. H-1B lawyers in Westmoreland City, PA have expertise in this application process and can assist you in filling out the required forms properly in the fast process.
Employer Sponsorship - Employers have a lot to manage, so they often turn to Pennsylvania corporate immigration lawyers to help alleviate the stress of preparing the employer’s portion of the application in this highly-regulated legal process. Precision and timeliness are critical for visa applications, and your H-1B visa lawyer can help keep track of essential information and track time limits on your behalf.
Shifting Policies - Just about each year, the policies around H-1B visa adjudication change. An experienced Westmoreland City, PA immigration lawyer can help you understand those policy changes to make sure your registration and application are finalized correctly.
Get Help from a TN Visa Attorney in Westmoreland City, PA
Much like H-1B visas, TN visas require proper paperwork from both the applicant and the employer. A knowledgeable Westmoreland City, PA TN visa attorney can assist you with this process to a fruitful outcome.
Review Eligibility - A TN visa attorney in Westmoreland City, PA can assess your or your potential new hire's education and experience to determine their eligibility for a TN visa, saving you time, effort, and potential legal difficulties. They can also help you assemble the necessary paperwork and ensure that a TN visa is the right choice for your situation.
Visa Renewal - TN visas must be renewed before their expiration, so your Westmoreland City, PA TN visa attorney can help ensure you remain updated with any policy changes and the guidance you need for visa renewal. Your TN visa attorney can help you prevent gaps in your visa and maintain your legal employment status.
Employer Visa Compliance - Employers are the party responsible for immigration and employment law compliance in Westmoreland City, PA which includes staying up to date with visa paperwork, properly document job duties and wages, keeping H-1B visa Public Access Files, and additional obligations. Westmoreland City visa lawyers from our team can ensure your team is trained and prepared to remain legally compliant during the process and reduce the risk of audits and legal troubles.
Why You Should Hire an H-1B or TN Visa Attorney in Westmoreland City, PA
If you or a potential employee is pursuing a TN or H-1B visa for temporary work in Westmoreland City, PA, the process can be complicated and taxing. In addition, mistakes in the application may lead to your petition being denied.
An H-1B visa attorney or TN visa lawyer in Westmoreland City, PA is familiar with the intricacies of these visas and can assist in managing the deadlines, lotteries, and correct paperwork that correspond with each one. Furthermore, Westmoreland City, PA immigration lawyers can help with your individual situation, especially if you need to bring dependents or other immediate relatives with you to Pennsylvania.
Why Choose The Visa Pros as Your H-1B Immigration Lawyer in Westmoreland City, PA?
Karen Weinstock established Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she intimately understands the immigration process – she moved to the United States and went through various immigration steps personally! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers has a multilingual, multicultural staff in Westmoreland City, Pennsylvania and beyond, with wide-reaching expertise and together, they have more than 100 years of legal immigration experience.
Our hands-on approach 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.* Whether you’re looking to obtain a work visa to work in the USA or an employer seeking to take advantage of the best talent the world has to offer, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for your TN and H-1B visa needs in Westmoreland City, PA. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior outcomes do not guarantee similar results.