H-1B Visas for Temporary Work in Alexandria, VA
An H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa that authorizes foreign nationals in certain specialized careers to temporarily work and live in Alexandria and the entire United States. In order to apply for an H-1B, applicants must already have a job offer in a highly-specialized industry including healthcare, engineering, IT, science, education. Any professional field where employers can show it is necessary to have a bachelor's degree may qualify. Initially, H-1B visas are valid for three years but can be extended to a six-year maximum and potentially more if the applicant pursues a green card.
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 (a U.S. green card) via sponsorship through their Alexandria, VA job and ultimately apply for citizenship.
TN Visas in Alexandria, VA: What Are They?
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. In order to qualify for a TN visa, applicants must have a full-time U.S. job offer (ex.: in Alexandria, VA). Canadian citizens can apply directly at the border or 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 by three-year increments each time. Similar to H-1B visas, Alexandria, VA TN visa holders are eligible to apply for a green card if they are qualified.
Do I Need a Lawyer for an H-1B Visa in Alexandria, VA?
H-1B visas may seem straightforward but in reality, require working through a complex, sometimes vague system. An H-1B visa attorney in Alexandria, VA can assist you with this system and achieve a great result.
Visa Caps - The biggest hurdle Virginia applicants encounter is the cap on how many new H-1B visas may be issued each year. The cap is set at 65,000 per government fiscal year, plus an additional 20,000 visas allocated 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 attorney in Alexandria, VA can assist you in preparing your visa application and be more competitive in this highly selective process.
Dates To Remember - Registration to apply for an H-1B visa is usually open for only a couple of weeks in March each year, and once selected, applicants and their employers only have a few weeks to apply from the date of selection. Hiring an H-1B visa lawyer in Alexandria, VA is a smart move. They are experienced with the process and can assist you in filling out the required forms properly in the fast process.
Employer Visa Sponsorship - Employers have a lot to manage, so they often turn to Virginia corporate immigration lawyers to assist the employer with preparing the visa application in this heavily regulated legal system. Accuracy and punctuality are crucial for visa applications, and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with keeping track of important information and due dates on your behalf.
Visa Policies Change Frequently - Just about each year, the policies around H-1B visa adjudication change. A knowledgeable, skilled Alexandria, VA immigration attorney can help you understand those policy changes to ensure that your registration and application are filled out accurately.
Get Help from a TN Visa Attorney in Alexandria, VA
In similar fashion to H-1B visas, TN visas necessitate correct documentation from both the applicant and the employer. An experienced TN visa attorney in Alexandria, VA can walk you through the process to help you achieve a successful outcome.
Eligibility Determination - Alexandria, VA TN visa attorneys can assess your or your potential new hire's information and qualifications to figure out if they qualify for a TN visa, saving you time, effort, and potential legal difficulties. They can also help you assemble the necessary paperwork and ensure that a TN visa is the right choice for your situation.
Renewal - Because TN visas must be extended prior to expiration, your TN visa attorney in Alexandria, VA can help keep you updated with changes in policy and the required details needed to renew your visa each time. They can help you prevent delays in your visa and continue your legal working status.
Employer Legal Compliance - Employers are the party responsible for immigration and employment law compliance in Alexandria, VA which means staying current with visa paperwork, documenting wages and job duties, maintaining Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and many more obligations. Your Alexandria visa attorneys can coach the necessary staff to maintain legal compliance throughout the application and reduce the chance of government audits.
Why Hire an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Alexandria, VA?
No matter if you or your employee is seeking an H-1B or TN visa so that they can legally work in Alexandria, VA, it can be a complex and time-consuming process. In addition, mistakes in the application may cause your application to be denied.
A TN visa attorney or H-1B visa lawyer in Alexandria, VA is knowledgeable about the intricacies of each visa type and can assist in managing the lotteries, deadlines, and correct documentation that correspond with each one. Additionally, an H-1B visa lawyer in Alexandria, VA can assist with your unique situation, including bringing dependents or other immediate relatives with you to Virginia.
Why Choose The Visa Pros as Your H-1B Immigration Lawyer in Alexandria, VA?
Karen Weinstock started Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she is deeply familiar with the immigration procedures– she migrated to the United States and went through multiple immigration processes herself! The Weinstock Immigration Lawyers team is multilingual and multicultural, located in Alexandria, VA, and beyond, with wide-reaching expertise and boasts a combined 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. That gives us one of the highest approval rates in the industry, with only a 1% denial rate.* Whether you’re looking to obtain a work visa to work in the USA or an employer hoping to hire global talent, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers can help with all of your TN and H-1B visa needs in Alexandria, VA. Get a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure the same outcome.