Portsmouth, VA H-1B Visas Explained
Classified as a nonimmigrant visa, the H-1B visa allows foreign nationals in specialized areas of employment to work for a finiteamount of time in Portsmouth, VA and the United States in general. To qualify for an H-1B, applicants must already have been offered a job in a highly-specialized industry like science, healthcare, education, technology, or engineering. Any area of work where the employer can prove it is required to have a bachelor's degree could be eligible. Initially, H-1B visas are valid for three years but have the option to be extended up to six years or longer if the applicant pursues a green card.
Often, an H-1B is the first application individuals take towards permanent residency and citizenship. Many H-1B visa applicants file for permanent residency (a U.S. green card) sponsored by their Portsmouth, VA employer and eventually apply for citizenship.
Portsmouth, VA TN Visas Explained
Another type of nonimmigrant visa for working professionals is the TN visa, which is designated for Mexican and Canadian citizens. The list of occupations for TN visas is closed, so this visa type has more stringent qualifications. 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 Portsmouth, VA) in order to qualify. For Canadian citizens, you can apply directly at the border or at the airport and need not obtain a visa stamp at a consulate ahead of time, but Mexican citizens must obtain a visa stamp.
TN visas are initially valid for three years but can be extended for three-year periods at a time. Akin to H-1B visa holders, Portsmouth, VA TN visa holders are eligible to shift to a green card if eligible.
Do I Need a Lawyer for an H-1B Visa in Portsmouth, VA?
The steps to acquiring H-1B visas could look straightforward but in reality, require working through a complex, potentially convoluted process. Portsmouth, VA H-1B visa attorneys can help guide you through this system and achieve a great result.
Cap Limitations - One of the biggest obstacles that Virginia applicants face is the cap on the number of new H-1B visas that may be issued yearly. 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. With a limited number of visas available, all of your application paperwork must be accurate and submitted properly.
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 attorney in Portsmouth, VA can assist you in preparing your visa application and be more competitive in this highly selective process.
Dates To Remember - Registration for H-1B visa application is typically open for just a few weeks in March, and then the employers and applicants that are chosen only have a few weeks to apply from the date of selection. H-1B lawyers in Portsmouth, VA have expertise in this application process and can help ensure that your paperwork is submitted correctly in the small window of opportunity.
Employer Visa Sponsorship - Busy employers and their HR teams normally will hire Virginia corporate immigration attorneys to help take the stress of composing the visa application in this highly-regulated legal process. Precision and timeliness are vital for visa petitions and your H-1B visa lawyer can help monitor important paperwork and track time limits on your behalf.
Changing Policies - Just about each year, the policies around H-1B visa adjudication change. An experienced Portsmouth, VA immigration lawyer can help you understand those policy changes so your registration and application are filed on time and correctly.
How TN Visa Lawyers in Portsmouth, VA Can Help
Like H-1B visas, TN visas necessitate correct documentation on both the employer's and Mexican or Canadian citizens' sides. An experienced Portsmouth, VA TN visa lawyer can help you navigate this process to a successful outcome.
Check for Eligibility - A TN visa attorney in Portsmouth, VA can assess your or your potential new hire's educational background and experience to determine if they meet the eligibility requirements for a TN visa, helping save time and prevent future legal issues. 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 - Because TN visas must be extended prior to expiration, your Portsmouth, VA TN visa attorney can help keep you updated with any policy changes and the information needed to renew your visa. They can help you prevent delays in your visa and retain your legal right to work.
Employer Visa Compliance - Employers hold the responsibility for complying with Portsmouth, VA employment and immigration laws, which means staying current with visa paperwork, recording wages and job assignments, keeping H-1B visa Public Access Files, and additional requirements. One of our Portsmouth visa lawyers can train and prepare your staff members to remain legally compliant during the process and reduce the risk of audits and legal troubles.
Why Hire an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Portsmouth, VA?
Whether you or your employee is seeking an H-1B or TN visa to work in Portsmouth, VA, the process can be complicated and taxing. Sometimes, an inaccurate piece of information on the application can cause it to be denied outright.
Portsmouth, VA H-1B or TN visa attorneys are knowledgeable about the complexities of these visas and can help you work through the necessary paperwork, deadlines, and lotteries that correspond with each one. Moreover, an H-1B or TN visa lawyer in Portsmouth, VA can assist with your unique situation, especially if you need to bring dependents and immediate family members to Virginia with you.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Portsmouth, VA?
Karen Weinstock established Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she is intimately familiar with the United States immigration process – she immigrated to the USA and went through several immigration procedures herself! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers has a multilingual, multicultural staff in Portsmouth, Virginia and beyond, who possess international expertise and boasts a combined more than 100 years of legal immigration experience.
We take a proactive approach, which has resulted in over 20,000 cases of approved 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.* 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, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers is here for all H-1B and TN visas in Portsmouth, VA. Get in touch today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.