Understanding H-1B Visas in Keokee, VA
H-1B visas are a type of nonimmigrant visa that permits foreign citizens in specialized areas of employment to work for a finiteamount of time in Keokee, VA and the United States in general. Potential H-1B applicants are required to have a job offer in a professional specialty like science, healthcare, education, technology, or engineering. Any line of work 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 have the option to be extended up to six years or more if the applicant decides to apply for permanent residency.
Often, an H-1B is the first application immigrants take when they want to eventually apply for permanent residency and citizenship. Those with an H-1B visa can pursue permanent residency (also called a green card) through sponsorship from their Keokee, VA employer and then petition to obtain U.S. citizenship.
TN Visas for Mexican and Canadian Citizens in Keokee, VA
Another type of work visa for professionals is the TN visa, which is exclusively for citizens of Canada and Mexico. TN visas have more strict qualifications for professions because the list of occupations is closed. It includes accountants, engineers, pharmacists, management consultants, and scientists. TN visa applicants are required to have a U.S. job offer (e.g., in Keokee, VA) in order to qualify. For Canadian citizens, you can apply directly at the border or at the airport and don’t have to go to a consulate to get a visa stamped, but citizens of Mexico need to have a visa stamped in their passport.
TN visas are valid for three years initially but can be extended by three-year increments each time. Akin to H-1B visa holders, those with a TN visa in Keokee, VA can choose to change to a green card if they meet specific qualifications.
How an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Keokee, VA Can Help You
The steps to acquiring H-1B visas could look straightforward but in reality, require working through a complex, frequently vague bureaucracy. Keokee, VA H-1B visa attorneys can help guide you through this system and achieve a great result.
H-1B Cap Issues - The biggest hurdle Virginia applicants encounter is the annual cap placed on how many new H-1B visas are issued. The current Congressional cap per fiscal year is 65,000, 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.
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 lawyer in Keokee, VA can help you prepare your application to be more competitive in pursuing this highly selective visa.
Application Turnaround Times - When applying for an H-1B visa, registration is normally only allowed during a few weeks in March, and the selected employers and applicants only have a few weeks to apply from the date of selection. Hiring an H-1B visa lawyer in Keokee, VA is a smart move. They are experienced with the process and can help ensure that your paperwork is submitted correctly in the limited timeframe.
Employer Sponsorship - Employers who want to file correctly often turn to Virginia corporate immigration lawyers to help take the stress of composing the visa application in this legal process that involves many regulations. Accuracy and punctuality are vital for visa petitions and your H-1B visa attorney can assist with organizing essential information and track time limits on your behalf.
Shifting Policies - Almost each and every year, changes are made to H-1B visa adjudications. An immigration lawyer with expertise in Keokee, VA can help you understand those policy changes to ensure that your registration and application are filled out correctly.
How TN Visa Lawyers in Keokee, VA Can Help
Similarly to H-1B visas, TN visas require proper paperwork for both parties, the Canadian or Mexican citizen and the employer. A TN visa lawyer in Keokee, VA with experience can assist you with this process to a fruitful outcome.
Check for Eligibility - TN visa lawyers in Keokee, VA can help review your or your potential employee’s information and qualifications to determine if they meet the eligibility requirements for a TN visa, helping save time and prevent future legal issues. They can also help you assemble the necessary paperwork and confirm the TN visa is the right type to pursue.
Visa Extension - Since TN visas must be renewed before they expire, your TN visa attorney in Keokee, 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 avoid delays in your visa and ensure you can keep legally working.
Employer Compliance - Employers hold the responsibility for complying with Keokee, VA employment and immigration laws, which means keeping up with visa documentation, recording wages and job assignments, keeping H-1B visa Public Access Files, along with other requirements. Your Keokee visa attorneys can coach the necessary staff to maintain compliance throughout the petition and reduce the risk of audits and legal troubles.
The Benefits of Hiring an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Keokee, VA
If you or a potential employee is pursuing an H-1B or TN visa so that they can legally work in Keokee, VA, it can be a lengthy and extremely complex process. In addition, mistakes in the application may cause your application to be denied.
Keokee, VA H-1B or TN visa attorneys are knowledgeable about the complexities of these visas and can help you work through the lotteries, deadlines, and correct documentation correlated with each. Furthermore, Keokee, VA immigration lawyers can assist with your unique situation, such as bringing spouse and children or close relatives to Virginia with you.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Keokee, VA?
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, and she intimately understands the immigration process – she moved to the United States and has navigated a few immigration filings herself! The Weinstock Immigration Lawyers team is multilingual and multicultural, located in Keokee, VA, and beyond, with wide-reaching expertise and boasts a combined more than 100 years of legal immigration experience.
Our hands-on approach means we have over 20,000 approved cases of visas and green cards. We're proud to have one of the highest approval rates in the industry with only 1% of cases being denied.* Whether you're attempting to get a work visa in the U.S. or an employer who wants to tap into the global talent pool, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers is here for your H-1B and TN visa needs in Keokee, VA. Get a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure the same outcome.