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Are You Ready to Apply For The H-1B Visa?
A new year is approaching and for those interested in working in the US, the H-1B application deadline will be fast approaching. Each year Congress sets a limit on how many H-1Bs will be accepted. Over the last few years the number has been 65,000 which is not very high considering the huge demand for foreign workers and the size of the US labor force. Â This has meant that there is a “mad rush” to send in your H-1Bs as soon as the gates open April 1st.
Move Quickly!
The key is to ensure that your application is prepared well in ADVANCE of the dead line. The last thing you want is to scramble to assemble your documentation at the last minute. H-1Bs applications involve a lot of paper work from your prospective US employer and yourself in terms of gathering the necessary documentation to show your credentials. The H-1B process is somewhat complicated involving filings to the Department of Labor (DOL), prevailing wage analysis, posting of occupation by the employer and other compliance requirements. So it’s important to get organized soon.
Hire an Experienced Immigration Lawyer for Your H-1B
It’s important that if you have a job offer in the US and the H-1B category is appropriate for you, you consider hiring a US licensed immigration attorney with experience in H-1B cases. And do so as soon as possible given the pending deadline. You will be surprised how quickly April comes.
And if you are one of the lucky ones who get approved for the H-1B in 2014, then you can start working in October of that year. So your employer has to be aware that just because you get approved, that does not mean you can tart working right away.
Some Additional Details About H-1B Visas
H-1Bs are usually valid for 3 years and can be extended for another 3 typically. Further, your employer could, on the basis of your H-1B, petition for a Green Card (US Permanent Residence) on your behalf. Usually, we process such cases at least one year into the H-1B visa. Green Card applications are of a completely different nature than H-1Bs but the adjustment of status process is common from Hs to Green Cards.
So the big message here is that if you do qualify for an H-1B Visa, get cracking! Find an experienced lawyer and start that paperwork right away. Â We do have an experienced US team that can help you with your H1-B Visa applications. Â If you are interested contact VisaPlace to book a consultation.
President & CEO
Michael Niren
Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
