Carolina, RI H-1B Visas Explained
Classified as a nonimmigrant visa, the H-1B visa allows foreign nationals in specialized fields of work to work in Carolina, RI and the rest of the U.S. for a specific amount of time. In order to apply for an H-1B, applicants must already have a job offer in a professional specialty including healthcare, engineering, IT, science, education. Any professional field where employers can show it is necessary to have a bachelor's degree might qualify. The initial term for an H-1B visa is three years, but it may be extended to a total of six years or more if the applicant pursues a green card.
Often, an H-1B is the first application towards eventually applying for permanent residency and citizenship. holders of H-1B visa may seek permanent residency (also called a green card) via sponsorship through their Carolina, RI job and then apply for United States citizenship.
Carolina, RI TN Visas Explained
Another type of work visa for professionals is the TN visa, which is designated for Mexican and Canadian 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 Carolina, RI). Canadian citizens can apply directly at the border or airport and do not need to apply for a visa stamping at the consulate ahead of time, but Mexican citizens must go to a consulate to apply for a visa.
TN visas are valid for three years initially but can be extended for additional three-year periods. Akin to H-1B visa holders, TN visa holders in Carolina, RI can apply for a green card if eligible.
Challenges an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Carolina, RI Can Help You Overcome
The steps to acquiring H-1B visas could look straightforward but actually require you to go through a complex, sometimes vague system. An H-1B visa attorney in Carolina, RI can assist you with this system and achieve a great result.
Cap Limitations - The biggest hurdle Rhode Island applicants encounter is the cap on how many new H-1B visas may be issued each year. The annual cap is currently set at 65,000 visas per fiscal year, and then 20,000 additional visas in 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 Carolina, RI can help you with preparing your petition and be more competitive in this highly selective process.
Application Deadlines - Registration for H-1B visa application is routinely open for a few short weeks each March, and once selected, applicants and their employers have a few short weeks to apply once they've been notified of selection. An H-1B attorney in Carolina, RI is well-versed in the process and can assist you in filling out the required forms properly in the short turnaround time.
Required Employer Sponsorship - Employers who want to file correctly commonly look to Rhode Island corporate immigration attorneys to help put together the entire visa application in this highly-regulated legal process. Accuracy and timeliness are crucial for visa applications, and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with organizing essential information and deadlines on your behalf.
Policy Changes - Almost each and every year, the policies around H-1B visa adjudication change. A knowledgeable, skilled Carolina, RI immigration attorney can help you understand and navigate the changes so your registration and application are filed on time and completely.
How TN Visa Lawyers in Carolina, RI Can Help
In similar fashion to H-1B visas, TN visas also require documentation on both the employer's and Mexican or Canadian citizens' sides. A knowledgeable Carolina, RI TN visa attorney can walk you through the process to help you achieve a successful outcome.
Review Eligibility - A TN visa lawyer in Carolina, RI can analyze your or your potential new 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 with the necessary documents and confirm the TN visa is the right type to pursue.
Extensions - Before they expire, TN visas require an extension, and your Carolina, RI TN visa attorney can help keep you updated with changing policies and the necessary information that you need to renew your visa. Your TN visa attorney can help you prevent gaps in your visa and retain your legal right to work.
Employer Visa Compliance - Employers are the party responsible for immigration and employment law compliance in Carolina, RI which includes staying up to date with visa paperwork, documenting wages and job duties, maintaining Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and additional requirements. Your Carolina visa lawyers can prepare and train relevant staff to stay compliant throughout the process and minimize the chances of a government audit.
Why Hire an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Carolina, RI?
Whether you or your employee needs to apply for an H-1B or TN visa to work in Carolina, RI, the process can be complicated and taxing. Additionally, erroneous information on any piece of the application may lead to your petition being denied.
An H-1B visa attorney or TN visa lawyer in Carolina, RI is knowledgeable about the intricacies of each visa type and can help you understand the required documentation, lotteries, and deadlines that are associated with each one. Additionally, an H-1B visa lawyer in Carolina, RI can assist with your unique situation, which include additional dependents or members of your family to Rhode Island with you.
Trust The Visa Pros for Your H-1B and TN Visa Needs in Carolina, RI
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! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers has a multilingual, multicultural staff in Carolina, Rhode Island and beyond, with wide-reaching expertise and over 100 years of legal immigration experience together.
We take a proactive approach, which means that we boast over 20,000 cases of approved green cards and visas. We're proud to have one of the highest approval rates in the industry with only 1% of cases being denied.* Whether you’re looking to obtain a work visa to work in the USA or an employer hoping to hire global talent, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers is here for all H-1B and TN visas in Carolina, RI. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior outcomes do not guarantee similar results.