Houston is a bustling hub of energy that has become a thriving business center for multiple industries, including energy, healthcare, technology, and international trade. If you are planning to start or expand a business in the area, you may be looking to hire from the deep pool of international talent.
Understanding the different types of business visas in Houston will allow you to hire with confidence and ensure you are considering the right candidates for your needs. Contact J. Lopez Law today to schedule a consultation with a dedicated employment-based immigration attorney.
Choosing the right kind of visa is crucial for long-term business success, as using the wrong visa may lead to denials and penalties.
A B-1 visa does not allow any paid work to be done in the United States, but can still be an important tool for business owners who need to bring guests into the country for meetings, training, or contract negotiations. While paid work is prohibited, the B-1 visa may lay the groundwork for a different kind of visa application in the future. A B-1 visa lasts up to six months with possible renewal.
If a business is working with individuals from countries where the United States has a treaty of commerce, an E-1 (for treaty traders) or E-2 (for treaty investors) visa may be the most appropriate visa. These visas allow for entrepreneurial ventures with a wide variety of foreign business partners.
If an employee transfers from a foreign branch of a company to a U.S. office of the same company, an L-1 visa may be the most appropriate. An L1-A is for executives and managers, while an L1-B is for those with specialized knowledge.
An H1-B visa is among the most commonly used visas, and it extends work opportunities to skilled workers, typically those with a college degree in an in-demand field like IT, medicine, or finance. These visas are subject to annual caps and a lottery system.
To determine which type of business visa is right for you, contact our skilled Houston lawyers.
An immigration lawyer could use their knowledge of the USCIS system and the legal requirements of each visa type to offer pivotal guidance to businesses. Consulting a Houston lawyer from the very beginning of the hiring process could help you ensure you have selected the best type of visa for your business’s needs and avoid legal pitfalls.
A lawyer could also help navigate critical timelines and submit thorough documentation. These actions can be especially important for visas issued in limited numbers with strict deadlines.
Once you have employees on visas, an immigration lawyer could help respond to Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs) with legally compelling arguments to help keep your business running smoothly. A lawyer from our firm could also help educate employees about visa compliance, decreasing the risk of violations. This kind of compliance can be especially important during mergers and acquisitions.
At any stage in the business visa process, we are here for you. Contact our office today for a consultation and to get answers to your questions about the different types of business visas in Houston. The dedicated team at J. Lopez Law looks forward to helping you fulfill your immigration needs.
713-955-3323