H-1B Visas in Stafford, VA: What Are They?
An H-1B visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa which permits foreign citizens in specialized areas of employment to temporarily work and live in Stafford and the entire United States. Potential H-1B applicants are required to have a job offer in a highly-specialized industry such as engineering, science, healthcare, education, or IT. 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 or more if the employee chooses to apply for permanent residency.
Frequently, obtaining an H-1B visa is the first step towards eventually applying for permanent residency and citizenship. H-1B visa holders may apply for permanent residency (known as a green card) through sponsorship from their Stafford, VA employer and then apply for United States citizenship.
TN Visas for Mexican and Canadian Citizens in Stafford, VA
TN visas are another type of nonimmigrant visa for professionals, designated for Mexican and Canadian citizens. The list of occupations for TN visas is closed, so this visa type has more stringent qualifications. It includes accountants, engineers, pharmacists, management consultants, and scientists. Applicants must already have a job offer in the United States (for example in: Stafford, VA) to qualify. If you are a Canadian citizen, you are able to apply directly at an airport or border and don’t have to go to a consulate to get a visa stamped, but Mexican citizens must go to a consulate to apply for a visa.
To start, TN visas are valid for three years but can be extended by three-year increments each time. Like H-1B visa applicants, TN visa holders in Stafford, VA can shift to a green card if eligible.
What an H-1B Visa Lawyer in Stafford, VA Can Help You With
H-1B visas might appear to be simple but actually require you to go through a complex, potentially convoluted process. H-1B visa lawyers in Stafford, VA can help you navigate this system and gain a desired outcome.
Cap Limitations - One of the most difficult challenges that Virginia applicants must meet is the cap on how many new H-1B visas may be issued each year. The current Congressional cap per fiscal year is 65,000, and then 20,000 additional visas in the H-1B advanced degree exemption. Since visas are severely limited and many apply, 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 lawyer in Stafford, 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 routinely open for a few short weeks each March, and then applicants and employers who are selected have just a few more weeks after being notified during which to apply. An H-1B attorney in Stafford, VA is well-versed in the process and can help make sure your application has been filed correctly in the limited timeframe.
Employer Sponsorship - Employers who already have a lot on their plates commonly look to Virginia corporate immigration attorneys to help put together the entire visa application in this heavily regulated legal system. Timeliness and accuracy are paramount for these applications, and your H-1B visa lawyer can help monitor important paperwork and manage deadlines for you.
Changing Policies - Practically every single year, changes are made to H-1B visa adjudications. An experienced immigration attorney in Stafford, VA can help you navigate those shifts to make sure your registration and application are prepared correctly.
What a TN Visa Lawyer in Stafford, VA Can Do
Much like H-1B visas, TN visas require proper paperwork for both the employer and the Canadian or Mexican citizen applicant. An experienced Stafford, VA TN visa lawyer can walk you through the process to help you achieve a successful outcome.
Check for Eligibility - Stafford, VA TN visa attorneys can help review your or your potential employee’s qualifications and information to determine their eligibility for a TN visa, saving you time, headaches, and legal problems. They can also help prepare the necessary paperwork for this process and confirm the TN visa is the right type to pursue.
Visa Renewal - TN visas must be renewed before their expiration, so your TN visa lawyer in Stafford, VA can help you remain current with any policy changes and the necessary information that you need to renew your visa. Your TN visa attorney can help you prevent gaps in your visa and maintain your legal employment status.
Employer Compliance Requirements - Employers hold the responsibility for complying with Stafford, 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. One of our Stafford visa lawyers can train and prepare your staff members to remain legally compliant during the process and reduce the chance of government audits.
Why You Should Hire an H-1B or TN Visa Attorney in Stafford, VA
Whether you or your employee needs to apply for an H-1B or TN visa so that they can legally work in Stafford, VA, it can be a time-consuming, complicated process. Sometimes, an inaccurate piece of information on the application can cause it to be denied outright.
Stafford, VA H-1B or TN visa attorneys are knowledgeable about the intricacies of each visa type and can assist in managing the deadlines, lotteries, and correct paperwork associated with them. In addition, a TN visa lawyer or H-1B attorney in Stafford, VA can aid in your specific situation, including bringing dependents or close relatives to Virginia with you.
Trust The Visa Pros for Your H-1B and TN Visa Needs in Stafford, VA
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers, The Visa Pros, was founded by Karen Weinstock, and she is deeply familiar with the immigration procedures– she migrated to the United States and has navigated a few immigration filings herself! The Weinstock team is made up of multilingual, multicultural staff in Stafford, VA, and throughout, with worldwide expertise and over 100 years of legal immigration experience together.
Our proactive perspective has resulted in over 20,000 cases of approved visas and green cards. We also have 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 seeking to take advantage of the best talent the world has to offer, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers is here for all of your TN and H-1B visa needs in Stafford, VA. Get a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.