H-1B Visas in Fort Lawn, SC: What Are They?
H-1B visas are a type of nonimmigrant visa that authorizes foreign nationals in specialized fields of work to temporarily work in Fort Lawn, SC and the rest of the United States. To qualify for an H-1B, applicants must already have been offered a job in a professional specialty including healthcare, engineering, IT, science, education. Any area of work where employers can show it is required to have a bachelor's degree could be eligible. H-1B visas are initially three years long but have the option to be extended up to six years or longer if the applicant decides to apply for permanent residency.
Typically, securing an H-1B visa is the first step immigrants take when they want to eventually apply for permanent residency and citizenship. Many H-1B visa applicants file for permanent residency (known as a green card) as sponsored by their Fort Lawn, SC job and eventually apply for citizenship.
Fort Lawn, SC TN Visas Explained
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. Applicants must already have a job offer in the United States (for example in: Fort Lawn, SC) to qualify. For Canadian citizens, you can apply directly at the border or at the airport and do not need to have a visa stamped at the consulate, 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 three-year periods at a time. Akin to H-1B visa holders, TN visa holders in Fort Lawn, SC are able to change to a green card if they meet specific qualifications.
Challenges an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Fort Lawn, SC Can Help You Overcome
H-1B visas could seem simple but in actuality, they require navigating a complicated, potentially convoluted process. An H-1B visa attorney in Fort Lawn, SC can assist you with this system and obtain a successful outcome.
H-1B Cap Issues - The biggest hurdle South Carolina applicants encounter 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. Since visas are severely limited and many apply, your paperwork must be without errors and submitted correctly.
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 Fort Lawn, SC can help you with preparing your petition so you may ensure proper filing in this selective process.
Deadlines - Registration for H-1B visa application 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. H-1B lawyers in Fort Lawn, SC have expertise in this application process and can help make sure your application has been filed correctly in the small window of opportunity.
Employer Sponsorship - Busy employers and their HR teams commonly look to South Carolina corporate immigration attorneys to assist the employer with preparing the visa application in this regulated, high-stakes legal process. Accuracy and timeliness are vital for visa petitions and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with keeping track of important information and track time limits on your behalf.
Visa Policies Change Frequently - Almost each and every year, the policies around H-1B visas shift. A knowledgeable, skilled Fort Lawn, SC immigration attorney can assist you with those adjustments to ensure that your registration and application are filled out correctly.
How a TN Visa Attorney in Fort Lawn, SC Can Help You
In similar fashion to H-1B visas, TN visas need proper documentation from both the applicant and the employer. A knowledgeable Fort Lawn, SC TN visa attorney can walk you through the process to help you achieve a successful outcome.
Review Eligibility - A TN visa lawyer in Fort Lawn, SC can assess your or your potential new hire's education and experience 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 make sure that the TN visa is the right one for your employee.
Extensions - Before they expire, TN visas require an extension, and your TN visa attorney in Fort Lawn, SC can help keep you updated with potential policy changes and the required details needed to renew your visa each time. 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 Fort Lawn, SC immigration and employment compliance lies with the employer, which means staying current with visa paperwork, documenting wages and job duties, managing Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and additional requirements. Your Fort Lawn visa attorneys can prepare and train relevant 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 Fort Lawn, SC?
If you or a potential employee is pursuing an H-1B or TN visa to work in Fort Lawn, SC, it can be a lengthy and extremely complex process. Sometimes, an inaccurate piece of information on the application can cause it to be denied outright.
Fort Lawn, SC H-1B or TN visa attorneys are familiar with the intricacies of these visas and can help you understand the required documentation, lotteries, and deadlines associated with them. Moreover, an H-1B or TN visa lawyer in Fort Lawn, SC can aid in your specific situation, such as bringing spouse and children or close relatives to South Carolina with you.
Trust The Visa Pros for Your H-1B and TN Visa Needs in Fort Lawn, SC
Karen Weinstock started Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she intimately understands the immigration process – she moved to the United States and went through multiple immigration processes herself! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers is comprised of team members who are multilingual and multicultural in Fort Lawn, South Carolina, who possess international expertise and together, they have more than 100 years of legal immigration experience.
Our forward-thinking attitude 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.* If you're trying to get a work visa to legally work in the United States or an employer who wants to tap into the global talent pool, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers is here for your TN and H-1B visa needs in Fort Lawn, SC. Get in touch today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not ensure a similar outcome.