H-1B Visas in Arlington, VA: What Are They?
An H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows foreign nationals in particular job industries to temporarily work in Arlington, VA and the rest of the United States. H-1B applicants must have a job offer from a U.S. employer in a professional specialty such as engineering, science, healthcare, education, or IT. Any line of work where the employer can prove it is required to have a bachelor's degree could potentially fit. Initially, H-1B visas are valid for three years but may be extended to a total of six years and potentially more if the employee chooses to apply for permanent residency.
Often, an H-1B is the first application towards permanent residency and citizenship. H-1B visa holders may apply for permanent residency (a U.S. green card) sponsored by their Arlington, VA employer and then apply for United States citizenship.
What Is a TN Visa in Arlington, VA?
TN visas are another temporary work visa type, but they are for which only Canadian and Mexican citizens qualify. TN visas have more strict qualifications for professions because the list of occupations is closed. The list includes engineers, pharmacists, management consultants, scientists, and accountants. TN visa applicants are required to have a U.S. job offer (e.g., in Arlington, VA) 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, however, Mexican citizens must apply for a visa ahead of time.
The initial length of a TN visa is three years but can be extended by three-year increments each time. Much like H-1B visas, TN visa holders in Arlington, VA are able to shift to a green card if certain requirements are met.
Challenges an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Arlington, VA Can Help You Overcome
The steps to acquiring H-1B visas could look straightforward but require navigating a complex, potentially convoluted process. An H-1B visa lawyer in Arlington, VA can help you work through this system and obtain a successful outcome.
Visa Cap Limitations - The biggest hurdle Virginia 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 20,000 additional visas issued through the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Due to the limited number of approvable visas, your paperwork must be without errors and submitted correctly.
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 attorney in Arlington, VA can assist you in preparing your visa application so you may ensure proper filing in this selective process.
Dates To Remember - When applying for an H-1B visa, registration is typically open for just a few weeks in March, and the selected employers and applicants only have a few weeks to apply from the date of selection. An H-1B attorney in Arlington, VA is well-versed in the process and can help make sure the proper forms and documents are filled out correctly in the short turnaround time.
Employer Visa Sponsorship - Busy employers and their HR teams commonly look to Virginia corporate immigration attorneys to help take the stress of composing the visa application in this heavily regulated legal system. Precision and timeliness are paramount for these applications, and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with organizing essential information and deadlines on your behalf.
Changing Policies - Just about each year, H-1B adjudication policies change. A knowledgeable, skilled Arlington, VA immigration attorney can help you navigate those shifts to make sure your registration and application are finalized correctly.
What a TN Visa Lawyer in Arlington, VA Can Do
Similarly to H-1B visas, TN visas require proper paperwork on both the employer's and Mexican or Canadian citizens' sides. An experienced TN visa attorney in Arlington, VA can walk you through the process to help you achieve a successful outcome.
Review Eligibility - Arlington, VA TN visa attorneys can analyze your or your potential new employee's information and qualifications 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 a TN visa is the correct one for this situation.
Renewal - Because TN visas must be extended prior to expiration, your Arlington, VA TN visa attorney can help keep you updated with changes in policy and the guidance you need for visa renewal. Your TN visa attorney can help you prevent gaps in your visa and retain your legal right to work.
Employer Compliance - Employers are responsible for complying with immigration and employment laws in Arlington, VA, which includes staying up to date with visa paperwork, recording wages and job assignments, managing Public Access Files for H-1B visas, along with other requirements. Arlington visa lawyers from our team can train and prepare your staff members to remain legally compliant during the process and reduce the chance of government audits.
Benefits of Hiring TN or H-1B Visa Lawyers in Arlington, VA
Whether you or your employee is seeking an H-1B or TN visa so that they can legally work in Arlington, VA, it can be a time-consuming, complicated process. Additionally, erroneous information on any piece of the application may lead to your petition being denied.
An H-1B visa attorney or TN visa lawyer in Arlington, VA is knowledgeable about the intricacies of each visa type and can help you understand the deadlines, lotteries, and correct paperwork associated with them. Additionally, an H-1B visa lawyer in Arlington, VA can assist with your unique situation, including bringing dependents or other immediate relatives with you to Virginia.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Arlington, VA?
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, who is deeply familiar with the immigration procedures– she immigrated to the USA and went through multiple immigration processes herself! The Weinstock Immigration Lawyers team is multilingual and multicultural, located in Arlington, VA, and beyond, with worldwide expertise and over 100 years of legal immigration experience together.
Our forward-thinking attitude has led to us successfully getting approved over 20,000 visa and green card cases. That's 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 can help with your TN and H-1B visa needs in Arlington, VA. Contact us for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure the same outcome.