Understanding H-1B Visas in Amherst, VA
H-1B visas are a type of nonimmigrant visa that allows citizens of foreign countries in specialized fields of work to temporarily work in Amherst, VA and the rest of the United States. To qualify for an H-1B, applicants must already have been offered a job in a highly-specialized industry including healthcare, engineering, IT, science, education. Any area of work where employers can show it is required to have a bachelor's degree may qualify. H-1B visas are initially three years long but may be extended up to six years and potentially more if the applicant pursues a green card.
For many, an H-1B visa is the first filing towards permanent residency and citizenship. H-1B visa holders may apply for permanent residency (also known as a green card) through sponsorship from their Amherst, VA employer and eventually apply for citizenship.
TN Visas in Amherst, VA: What Are They?
TN visas are another temporary work visa type, but they are exclusively for citizens of Canada and Mexico. The qualifications for TN visa applicants are stricter because the list of occupations is finite. This includes pharmacists, accountants, engineers, management consultants, and scientists. TN visa applicants are required to have a U.S. job offer (e.g., in Amherst, VA) in order to qualify. Canadian citizens may apply at the airport or border crossing and do not need to apply for a visa stamping at the consulate ahead of time, but Mexican citizens must obtain a visa stamp.
TN visas are valid for three years initially but can be extended for three-year periods at a time. Similar to H-1B visas, those with a TN visa in Amherst, VA can choose to transition to a green card if eligible.
Challenges an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Amherst, VA Can Help You Overcome
The steps to acquiring H-1B visas could look straightforward but in actuality, they require navigating a complicated, potentially convoluted process. An H-1B visa attorney in Amherst, VA can assist you with this system and successfully petition your visa.
Cap Limitations - One of the most difficult challenges that Virginia applicants must meet is the annual cap placed on how many new H-1B visas are issued. 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. With a limited number of visas available, 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 Amherst, VA 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 then applicants and employers who are selected only have a few weeks to apply from the date of selection. An H-1B attorney in Amherst, VA 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 - Busy employers and their HR teams often turn to Virginia corporate immigration lawyers to help alleviate the stress of preparing the employer’s portion of the application in this regulated, high-stakes legal process. Accuracy and punctuality are paramount for these applications, and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with organizing essential information and due dates on your behalf.
Changing Policies - Nearly every year, the policies around H-1B visas shift. An immigration lawyer with expertise in Amherst, VA can assist you with those adjustments to make sure your registration and application are finalized correctly.
Get Help from a TN Visa Attorney in Amherst, VA
Like H-1B visas, TN visas need proper documentation for both parties, the Canadian or Mexican citizen and the employer. A knowledgeable Amherst, VA TN visa attorney can guide you through this process to the desired outcome.
Eligibility Determination - Amherst, VA TN visa attorneys can analyze your or your potential new employee's education and experience to determine their eligibility for a TN visa, saving you time, headaches, and legal problems. They can also assist you with the necessary documents and make sure that a TN visa is the correct one for this situation.
Renewal - Because TN visas must be extended prior to expiration, your TN visa lawyer in Amherst, VA can help you stay up to date with potential policy changes and the information needed to renew your visa. Your TN visa lawyer can assist you and avert gaps in your visa and continue your legal working status.
Employer Visa Compliance - Employers hold the responsibility for complying with Amherst, VA employment and immigration laws, which means staying current with visa paperwork, properly document job duties and wages, maintaining Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and many more obligations. Your Amherst visa attorneys can ensure your team is trained and prepared to maintain compliance throughout the petition and minimize the chances of a government audit.
Why Hire an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Amherst, VA?
If you or a potential employee is pursuing a TN or H-1B visa to work in Amherst, VA, it can be a time-consuming, complicated process. In addition, mistakes in the application can result in automatic denial.
An H-1B visa lawyer or TN visa attorney in Amherst, VA is knowledgeable about the complexities of these visas and can help you work through the required documentation, lotteries, and deadlines that are associated with each one. Furthermore, Amherst, VA immigration lawyers can aid in your specific situation, which include additional dependents and immediate family members to Virginia with you.
Trust The Visa Pros for Your H-1B and TN Visa Needs in Amherst, VA
Karen Weinstock started Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she understands the immigration procedures deeply – she moved to the United States and went through various immigration steps personally! The Weinstock Immigration Lawyers team is multilingual and multicultural, located in Amherst, VA, and beyond, with worldwide expertise and over 100 years of legal immigration experience together.
Our proactive perspective 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.* No matter if you're an individual hoping to secure a temporary visa in the U.S. or an employer seeking to take advantage of the best talent the world has to offer, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers for all of your TN and H-1B visa needs in Amherst, VA. Contact us for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.