Bluffton, SC H-1B Visas Explained
H-1B visas are a type of nonimmigrant visa that authorizes foreign nationals in specialized fields of work to temporarily work and live in Bluffton and the entire United States. H-1B applicants must have a job offer from a U.S. employer in a professional specialty including healthcare, engineering, IT, science, education. Any line of work where the employer can prove a bachelor’s degree is the minimum entry requirement could potentially fit. Initially, H-1B visas are valid for three years but have the option to be extended up to six years and potentially more if the employee applies for permanent residency.
Often, an H-1B is the first application towards eventually applying for permanent residency and citizenship. Those with an H-1B visa can pursue permanent residency (also known as a green card) as sponsored by their Bluffton, SC job and then apply for United States citizenship.
TN Visas for Mexican and Canadian Citizens in Bluffton, SC
Another type of work visa for professionals is the TN visa, which is specifically for Canadian and Mexican citizens. The qualifications for TN visa applicants are stricter because the list of occupations is finite. It includes accountants, engineers, pharmacists, management consultants, and scientists. TN visa applicants are required to have a U.S. job offer (e.g., in Bluffton, SC) in order to qualify. If you are a Canadian citizen, you are able to apply directly at an airport or border and do not need to have a visa stamped at the consulate, however, Mexican citizens must apply for a visa ahead of time.
To start, TN visas are valid for three years but can be extended for additional three-year periods. Akin to H-1B visa holders, Bluffton, SC TN visa holders are eligible to shift to a green card if they meet specific qualifications.
How an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Bluffton, SC Can Help You
H-1B visas could seem simple but in reality, require working through a complex, often convoluted system. An H-1B visa lawyer in Bluffton, SC can help you work through this system and achieve a great result.
Cap Limitations - One of the biggest obstacles that South Carolina applicants face is the H-1B visa cap, or the limit on how many new visas can be issued annually. The annual cap is currently set at 65,000 visas per fiscal year, with 20,000 additional visas issued through the H-1B advanced degree exemption. With a limited number of visas available, it's imperative you ensure your paperwork is submitted accurately with all the right information.
In 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reported receiving 758,994 eligible registrations and selected 188,400 to apply for the 65,000 available visas. An H-1B visa lawyer in Bluffton, SC can help you with preparing your petition to be more competitive in pursuing this highly selective visa.
Dates To Remember - When applying for an H-1B visa, registration is normally only allowed during a few weeks in March, 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 Bluffton, SC, they are familiar with this process and can assist you in filling out the required forms properly in the fast process.
Sponsorship by Employers - Employers who want to file correctly will frequently turn to South Carolina corporate immigration lawyers to assist the employer with preparing the visa application in this legal process that involves many regulations. Accuracy and punctuality are critical for visa applications, and your H-1B visa lawyer can help monitor important paperwork and deadlines on your behalf.
Visa Policies Change Frequently - Just about each year, changes are made to H-1B visa adjudications. An experienced Bluffton, SC immigration lawyer can help you understand those policy changes to make sure your registration and application are prepared accurately.
How TN Visa Lawyers in Bluffton, SC Can Help
Similarly to H-1B visas, TN visas need proper documentation from both the applicant and the employer. An experienced Bluffton, SC TN visa lawyer can guide you through this process to the desired outcome.
Review Eligibility - A TN visa attorney in Bluffton, SC can help review your or your potential employee’s qualifications and information to determine if they meet the eligibility requirements for a TN visa, saving you time, headaches, and legal problems. They can also assist you with the necessary documents and make sure that a TN visa is the correct one for this situation.
Visa Renewal - Because TN visas must be extended prior to expiration, your Bluffton, SC TN visa lawyer can help ensure you remain updated with changes in policy and the necessary information that you need to renew your visa. Your TN visa lawyer can assist you and avert gaps in your visa and ensure you can keep legally working.
Employer Legal Compliance - The duty for Bluffton, SC immigration and employment compliance lies with the employer, which includes staying up to date with visa paperwork, documenting wages and job duties, maintaining Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and additional obligations. Bluffton visa lawyers from our team can prepare and train relevant staff to maintain compliance throughout the petition and minimize the chances of a government audit.
Why You Should Hire an H-1B or TN Visa Attorney in Bluffton, SC
Whether you or your employee is seeking an H-1B or TN visa to work in Bluffton, SC, it can be a time-consuming, complicated process. Sometimes, an inaccurate piece of information on the application may lead to your petition being denied.
A TN visa attorney or H-1B visa lawyer in Bluffton, SC is knowledgeable about the intricacies of each visa type and can assist you in navigating the lotteries, deadlines, and correct documentation correlated with each. Furthermore, Bluffton, SC immigration lawyers can adjust to special circumstances, which include additional dependents or members of your family to South Carolina with you.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Bluffton, SC?
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, who is intimately familiar with the United States immigration process – she moved to the United States and went through multiple immigration processes herself! The Weinstock team is made up of multilingual, multicultural staff in Bluffton, SC, and throughout, who have global expertise and a combined over 100 years of legal immigration experience.
Our forward-thinking attitude means we have over 20,000 approved cases of visas and green cards. 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 who wants to tap into the global talent pool, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers can help with all H-1B and TN visas in Bluffton, SC. Get a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.