Understanding H-1B Visas in Watertown, SD
An H-1B visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa which permits foreign citizens in certain specialized careers to work for a finiteamount of time in Watertown, SD and the United States in general. Potential H-1B applicants are required to have a job offer in a specialized profession like science, healthcare, education, technology, or engineering. Any professional field where the employer can prove it is required to have a bachelor's degree could be eligible. H-1B visas are good for three years but can be extended to a six-year maximum and potentially more if the employee chooses 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. H-1B visa holders may apply for permanent residency (known as a green card) as sponsored by their Watertown, SD job and then petition to obtain U.S. citizenship.
What Is a TN Visa in Watertown, SD?
Another type of nonimmigrant visa for working 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. These occupations include management consultants, scientists, accountants, engineers, and pharmacists. TN visa applicants are required to have a U.S. job offer (e.g., in Watertown, SD) in order to qualify. Canadian citizens can apply directly at the border or airport and don’t have to go to a consulate to get a visa stamped, but Mexican citizens must go to a consulate to apply for a visa.
The initial length of a TN visa is three years but can be extended for three-year periods at a time. Much like H-1B visas, Watertown, SD TN visa holders are eligible to change to a green card if certain requirements are met.
What an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Watertown, SD Can Help You With
H-1B visas may seem straightforward but in reality, require working through a complex, sometimes vague system. An H-1B visa attorney in Watertown, SD can assist you with this system and achieve a great result.
Visa Cap Limitations - The main challenge South Dakota applicants must overcome 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, and then 20,000 additional visas in the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Since visas are severely limited and many apply, 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 Watertown, SD can help you with preparing your petition to be more competitive in pursuing this highly selective visa.
Application Turnaround Times - The registration window to apply for an H-1B visa is routinely open for a few short weeks each March, and then the employers and applicants that are chosen have just a few more weeks after being notified during which to apply. An H-1B attorney in Watertown, SD is well-versed in the process and can help make sure the proper forms and documents are filled out correctly in the limited timeframe.
Employer Sponsorship - Employers who already have a lot on their plates normally will hire South Dakota corporate immigration attorneys to help alleviate the stress of preparing the employer’s portion of the application in this highly-regulated legal process. Accuracy and punctuality are vital for visa petitions and your H-1B visa lawyer can help monitor important paperwork and deadlines on your behalf.
Visa Policies Change Frequently - Just about each year, H-1B adjudication policies change. An experienced immigration attorney in Watertown, SD can help you understand those policy changes so your registration and application are filed on time and correctly.
How a TN Visa Attorney in Watertown, SD Can Help You
Much like H-1B visas, TN visas need proper documentation for both parties, the Canadian or Mexican citizen and the employer. An experienced Watertown, SD TN visa lawyer can guide you through this process to the desired outcome.
Check for Eligibility - TN visa lawyers in Watertown, SD can help review your or your potential employee’s educational background and experience to help decide if they meet the requirements for a TN visa, saving you time, effort, and potential legal difficulties. They can also assist you with the necessary documents and make sure that the TN visa is the right one for your employee.
Visa Extension - TN visas must be renewed before their expiration, so your TN visa lawyer in Watertown, SD can help you remain current with changing policies and the information needed 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 responsible for complying with immigration and employment laws in Watertown, SD, which includes staying up to date with visa paperwork, recording wages and job assignments, managing Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and additional requirements. Your Watertown visa lawyers can coach the necessary staff to remain legally compliant during the process and reduce the chance of government audits.
Benefits of Hiring TN or H-1B Visa Lawyers in Watertown, SD
If you or a potential employee is pursuing a TN or H-1B visa for temporary work in Watertown, SD, it can be a time-consuming, complicated process. Additionally, erroneous information on any piece of the application can result in automatic denial.
A TN visa attorney or H-1B visa lawyer in Watertown, SD is knowledgeable about the intricacies of each visa type and can help you work through the required documentation, lotteries, and deadlines correlated with each. Furthermore, Watertown, SD immigration lawyers can adjust to special circumstances, such as bringing spouse and children and immediate family members to South Dakota with you.
Why Choose The Visa Pros as Your H-1B Immigration Lawyer in Watertown, SD?
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, who understands the immigration procedures deeply – she moved to the United States and went through several immigration procedures herself! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers has a multilingual, multicultural staff in Watertown, South Dakota and beyond, with wide-reaching expertise and over 100 years of legal immigration experience together.
Our hands-on approach means that we boast over 20,000 cases of approved green cards and visas. That gives us one of the highest approval rates in the industry, with only a 1% denial rate.* No matter if you're an individual hoping to secure a temporary visa in the U.S. or an employer who wants to tap into the global talent pool, trust Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for all of your TN and H-1B visa needs in Watertown, SD. Contact us for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.