Employers trying to bring foreign employees to the United States can rely on the talented and proficient immigration attorneys at Shihab & Associates. Their immigration lawyers have several years of experience in helping employers file and obtain visas for foreign executives, managerial staff, and specialized employees. Contact the immigration lawyers of Shihab & Associates today to begin working with a qualified and accomplished immigration team.

H-1B visas

H-1B visas allow employers to fill professional level “specialty occupations” requiring at least a bachelor’s degree. An H-1B can be issued when the applicant meets the requirements for the position (i.e. having the required educational background), the employer meets the prevailing wage standards for the job, and the number of new H-1B petitions for the fiscal year has not been eclipsed. H-1B status is granted initially for three years and can be renewed.

Shihab & Associates Co., LPA's immigration attorneys can work with employers to determine how to best categorize the employees they are trying to qualify, provide counsel on prevailing wage issues, and assist with H-1B renewals or transfers. With the changing annual statutory quota of H-1B’s being reduced in 2003 (from 195,000 to 65,000), it has become increasingly critical to file for visas at the proper time and to explore all applicable exemptions for current H-1B holders. Shihab & Associates Co., LPA can advise you on how to plan for essential filing dates and what employees could be eligible for exemptions.

Common questions about H-1B visas include:

• Because of the shortage of new H-1B’s available for the fiscal year, when may employers begin filing new petitions?
  
• We would like to hire a foreign national who currently has H-1B status with another employer. Can we hire this person?
  
• Can we ask a new H-1B employee to pay the costs of the H-1B petition?
  

Overseas Hiring │Intra-Company Transferees

In addition to the H-1B, L-1 visas allow intra-company transfers of foreign executives, managers, or employees with specialized knowledge to the United States. Categorized as L-1A (managers and executives) and L-1B (specialized knowledge employees), these visas are issued if the applicant has worked abroad for one continuous year within the preceding three years for the transferring company or an affiliate.

In addition to filing the L-1 application and supporting documents, Shihab & Associates assists clients obtaining blanket petitions, extensions, and permanent residence for employees as needed.

Common L-1 visa questions include:

• We brought a manager to the United States on L-1A status. Now we would like to sponsor him for a green card. Can we do so, and how long should we expect it to take?

• Our company is bringing a foreign executive to the United States from one of our subsidiaries, and he wants to bring his wife so that she can pursue her career, as well as her doctorate. Is this possible?

• Our business requires a number of intra-company transfers each year. Is there a way to streamline this process?

• Special Requirements: Are you H-1B Dependent?
• LCA Violations and Consequences
• Definition of “specialized knowledge” for L visa petitions
• Enforceability of Employment Agreements

Shihab & Associates Co., LPA
Immigration Lawyers