Understanding H-1B Visas in Santee, SC
Classified as a nonimmigrant visa, the H-1B visa allows citizens of foreign countries in specialized fields of work to temporarily work in Santee, SC and the rest of the United States. Potential H-1B applicants are required to have a job offer in a specialized professional field including healthcare, engineering, IT, science, education. Any professional field where employers can show it is necessary to have a bachelor's degree might qualify. Initially, H-1B visas are valid for three years but have the option to be extended up to six years or longer if the employee applies for permanent residency.
Frequently, obtaining 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 known as a green card) via sponsorship through their Santee, SC job and then apply for United States citizenship.
TN Visas in Santee, SC: What Are They?
TN visas are another type of nonimmigrant visa for professionals, for which only Canadian and Mexican citizens qualify. There are stricter qualifications for TN visas because the list of occupations is restricted. It includes accountants, engineers, pharmacists, management consultants, and scientists. A full-time U.S. job offer is required for TN visa applicants in Santee, SC. Canadian citizens can apply directly at the border or airport and don’t have to go to a consulate to get a visa stamped, however, Mexican citizens must apply for a visa ahead of time.
TN visas are initially valid for three years but can be extended for additional three-year periods. Akin to H-1B visa holders, Santee, SC TN visa holders are eligible to apply for a green card if eligible.
How an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Santee, SC Can Help You
H-1B visas could seem simple but actually require you to go through a complex, sometimes vague system. H-1B visa lawyers in Santee, SC can help you navigate this system and obtain a successful outcome.
Cap Limitations - 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 cap is set at 65,000 per government fiscal year, with an additional 20,000 visas available under 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.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reported receiving 758,994 eligible registrations in 2023, and selected 188,400 to apply for just 65,000 available H-1B visas. An H-1B visa lawyer in Santee, SC can help you prepare your application 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 the selected employers and applicants have just a few more weeks after being notified during which to apply. H-1B lawyers in Santee, SC have expertise in this application process and can help make sure your application has been filed correctly in the fast process.
Required Employer Sponsorship - Busy employers and their HR teams normally will hire South Carolina corporate immigration attorneys to help alleviate the stress of preparing the employer’s portion of the application in this legal process that involves many regulations. Accuracy and timeliness are vital for visa petitions and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with keeping track of important information and manage deadlines for you.
Policy Changes - Nearly every year, the policies around H-1B visas shift. An experienced Santee, SC immigration lawyer can help you understand and navigate the changes to make sure your registration and application are prepared completely.
How TN Visa Lawyers in Santee, SC Can Help
Similarly to H-1B visas, TN visas require proper paperwork for both the employer and the Canadian or Mexican citizen applicant. A TN visa lawyer in Santee, SC with experience can assist you with this process to a fruitful outcome.
Check for Eligibility - TN visa lawyers in Santee, SC can help review your or your potential employee’s educational background and experience to figure out if they qualify for a TN visa, saving you time, headaches, and legal problems. They can also help you assemble the necessary paperwork and make sure that a TN visa is the correct one for this situation.
Extensions - Before they expire, TN visas require an extension, and your TN visa lawyer in Santee, SC can help you stay up to date with changes in policy 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 maintain your legal employment status.
Employer Compliance Requirements - Employers are the party responsible for immigration and employment law compliance in Santee, SC which means staying current with visa paperwork, logging job duties and wages, managing Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and many more obligations. One of our Santee visa lawyers can prepare and train relevant staff to maintain compliance throughout the petition and minimize the chances of a government audit.
Why Hire an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Santee, SC?
No matter if you or your employee is seeking an H-1B or TN visa so that they can legally work in Santee, SC, it can be a time-consuming, complicated process. Sometimes, an inaccurate piece of information on the application may cause your application to be denied.
An H-1B visa attorney or TN visa lawyer in Santee, SC is knowledgeable about the complexities of these visas and can help you work through the lotteries, deadlines, and correct documentation associated with them. Furthermore, Santee, SC immigration lawyers can help with your individual situation, especially if you need to bring dependents or other immediate relatives with you to South Carolina.
Trust The Visa Pros for Your H-1B and TN Visa Needs in Santee, SC
Karen Weinstock started Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she 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 Santee, SC, and throughout, who have global expertise and together, they have more than 100 years of legal immigration experience.
We take a proactive approach, which means we have over 20,000 approved cases of visas and green cards. That gives us 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 who wants to tap into the global talent pool, trust Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for all H-1B and TN visas in Santee, SC. Get in touch today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure the same outcome.