Gresham, SC H-1B Visas Explained
Classified as a nonimmigrant visa, the H-1B visa permits foreign citizens in specialized areas of employment to temporarily work in Gresham, SC and the rest of the United States. In order to apply for an H-1B, applicants must already have a job offer in a specialized profession like science, healthcare, education, technology, or engineering. Any profession where the employer can prove it is necessary to have a bachelor's degree could potentially fit. The initial term for an H-1B visa is three years, but it have the option to be extended up to six years and potentially more if the applicant decides to apply for permanent residency.
For many, an H-1B visa is the first filing individuals take towards permanent residency and citizenship. Those with an H-1B visa can pursue permanent residency (known as a green card) sponsored by their Gresham, SC employer and eventually apply for citizenship.
What Is a TN Visa in Gresham, SC?
Another type of work visa for professionals is the TN visa, which is designated for Mexican and Canadian 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 Gresham, 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, but citizens of Mexico need to have a visa stamped in their passport.
TN visas are valid for three years initially but can be extended for three-year periods at a time. Much like H-1B visas, TN visa holders in Gresham, SC are able to apply for a green card if they meet specific qualifications.
Do I Need a Lawyer for an H-1B Visa in Gresham, SC?
H-1B visas may seem straightforward but actually require you to go through a complex, often convoluted system. H-1B visa lawyers in Gresham, SC can help you navigate this system and successfully petition your visa.
Cap Limitations - One of the most difficult challenges that South Carolina applicants must meet is the cap on how many new H-1B visas may be issued each year. The current Congressional cap per fiscal year is 65,000, with 20,000 additional visas issued through the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Due to the limited number of approvable visas, it's critical that your paperwork is submitted correctly and with accurate 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. Gresham, SC H-1B visa attorneys can help you take the necessary steps for your petition to be more competitive in pursuing this highly selective visa.
Application Deadlines - Registration for H-1B visa application is usually open for only a couple of weeks in March each year, and once selected, applicants and their employers have just a few more weeks after being notified during which to apply. An H-1B attorney in Gresham, SC is well-versed in the process and can help make sure your application has been filed correctly in the limited timeframe.
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 regulated, high-stakes legal process. Accuracy and timeliness are critical 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 visas shift. An immigration lawyer with expertise in Gresham, SC can assist you with those adjustments so your registration and application are filed on time and accurately.
What a TN Visa Lawyer in Gresham, SC Can Do
In similar fashion to H-1B visas, TN visas need proper documentation from both the applicant and the employer. A TN visa lawyer in Gresham, SC with experience can guide you through this process to the desired outcome.
Eligibility Determination - Gresham, SC TN visa attorneys can analyze your or your potential new employee's education and experience to help decide if they meet the requirements for a TN visa, saving you from potential legal problems in the future. They can also help you assemble the necessary paperwork and make sure that the TN visa is the right one for your employee.
Renewal - Since TN visas must be renewed before they expire, your Gresham, SC TN visa attorney can help you remain current with any policy changes 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 maintain your legal employment status.
Employer Compliance - Employers are responsible for complying with immigration and employment laws in Gresham, SC, which means staying on top of visa documentation, logging job duties and wages, preserving H-1B visa Public Access Files, and additional obligations. Your Gresham visa attorneys can coach the necessary staff to maintain legal compliance throughout the application and reduce the risk of audits and legal troubles.
Benefits of Hiring TN or H-1B Visa Lawyers in Gresham, SC
If you or a potential employee is pursuing an H-1B or TN visa to work in Gresham, SC, it can be a time-consuming, complicated process. Additionally, erroneous information on any piece of the application may cause your application to be denied.
A TN visa attorney or H-1B visa lawyer in Gresham, SC is knowledgeable about the complexities of these visas and can assist in managing the necessary paperwork, deadlines, and lotteries that correspond with each one. In addition, a TN visa lawyer or H-1B attorney in Gresham, SC can adjust to special circumstances, including bringing dependents and immediate family members to South Carolina with you.
Why Choose The Visa Pros as Your H-1B Immigration Lawyer in Gresham, SC?
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, and she is intimately familiar with the United States immigration process – she relocated to the U.S. and went through multiple immigration processes herself! The Weinstock Immigration Lawyers team is multilingual and multicultural, located in Gresham, SC, and beyond, who have global expertise and together, they have more than 100 years of legal immigration experience.
We take a proactive approach, which means that we boast over 20,000 cases of approved green cards and visas. We also have one of the highest approval rates in the industry, with only a 1% denial rate.* If you're trying to get a work visa to legally work in the United States or an employer seeking to take advantage of the best talent the world has to offer, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers is here for your H-1B and TN visa needs in Gresham, SC. Get in touch today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Previous results do not ensure a similar outcome.