Rockville, VA H-1B Visas Explained
H-1B visas are a type of nonimmigrant visa that allows foreign nationals in particular job industries to work for a finiteamount of time in Rockville, VA and the United States in general. Potential H-1B applicants are required to have a job offer in a professional specialty such as engineering, science, healthcare, education, or IT. Any profession where employers can show it is required to have a bachelor's degree could potentially fit. The initial term for an H-1B visa is three years, but it can be extended to a six-year maximum and potentially more if the employee chooses to apply for permanent residency.
For many, an H-1B visa is the first filing individuals take towards permanent residency and citizenship. Those with an H-1B visa can pursue permanent residency (also called a green card) through sponsorship from their Rockville, VA employer and then apply for United States citizenship.
TN Visas in Rockville, VA: What Are They?
Another type of nonimmigrant visa for working 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. 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 Rockville, VA) in order to qualify. For Canadian citizens, you can apply directly at the border or at the airport and do not need to have a visa stamped at the consulate, however, Mexican citizens must apply for a visa ahead of time.
To start, TN visas are valid for three years but can be extended by three-year increments each time. Similar to H-1B visas, TN visa holders in Rockville, VA are able to apply for a green card if eligible.
Challenges an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Rockville, VA Can Help You Overcome
H-1B visas may seem straightforward but in actuality, they require navigating a complicated, often convoluted system. An H-1B visa lawyer in Rockville, VA can help you work through this system and gain a desired outcome.
Cap Limitations - One of the biggest obstacles that Virginia applicants face is the H-1B visa cap, or the limit on how many new visas can be issued annually. Currently, the cap is set at 65,000 visas per fiscal year, and then 20,000 additional visas in the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Since H-1B visas are extremely limited and in high demand, 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. Rockville, VA H-1B visa attorneys can help you take the necessary steps for your petition and be more competitive in this highly selective process.
Application Deadlines - The registration window to apply for an H-1B visa is usually open for only a couple of weeks in March each year, and then the employers and applicants that are chosen have just a few more weeks after being notified during which to apply. Hiring an H-1B visa lawyer in Rockville, VA is a smart move. They are experienced with the process and can help make sure your application has been filed correctly in the small window of opportunity.
Sponsorship by Employers - Busy employers and their HR teams often turn to Virginia corporate immigration lawyers to help put together the entire 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 keeping track of important information and manage deadlines for you.
Shifting Policies - Practically every single year, the policies around H-1B visa adjudication change. An immigration lawyer with expertise in Rockville, VA can help you navigate those shifts so your registration and application are filed on time and completely.
Get Help from a TN Visa Attorney in Rockville, VA
In similar fashion to H-1B visas, TN visas also require documentation for both parties, the Canadian or Mexican citizen and the employer. An experienced Rockville, VA TN visa lawyer can assist you with this process to a fruitful outcome.
Eligibility - A TN visa lawyer in Rockville, VA can help review your or your potential employee’s educational background and experience to determine their eligibility 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 the TN visa is the right one for your employee.
Renewal - Since TN visas must be renewed before they expire, your Rockville, VA TN visa attorney can help ensure you remain updated with changes in policy and the necessary information that you need to renew your visa. Your TN visa attorney can help you prevent gaps in your visa and continue your legal working status.
Employer Compliance Requirements - Employers are responsible for complying with immigration and employment laws in Rockville, VA, which includes staying up to date with visa paperwork, properly document job duties and wages, managing Public Access Files for H-1B visas, and many more obligations. Your Rockville visa lawyers can prepare and train relevant staff to remain legally compliant during the process and minimize the chances of a government audit.
Why Hire an H-1B or TN Immigration Lawyer in Rockville, VA?
Whether you or your employee needs to apply for a TN or H-1B visa for temporary work in Rockville, VA, it can be a lengthy and extremely complex process. Additionally, erroneous information on any piece of the application may cause your application to be denied.
An H-1B visa lawyer or TN visa attorney in Rockville, VA is knowledgeable about the complexities of these visas and can assist in managing the deadlines, lotteries, and correct paperwork that correspond with each one. Additionally, an H-1B visa lawyer in Rockville, VA can help with your individual situation, including bringing dependents or close relatives to Virginia with you.
Why Should You Choose The Visa Pros as Your TN Visa Lawyer in Rockville, VA?
Karen Weinstock established Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, and she intimately understands the immigration process – she relocated to the U.S. and went through several immigration procedures herself! Weinstock Immigration Lawyers has a multilingual, multicultural staff in Rockville, Virginia and beyond, with wide-reaching expertise and a combined over 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's one of the highest approval rates in the industry, with only a 1% denial rate.* No matter if you're an individual hoping to secure a temporary visa in the U.S. or an employer ready to hire the best global talent, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers is here for all H-1B and TN visas in Rockville, VA. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure the same outcome.