Lost the Lottery? Alternatives to the H-1B visa

Visa Lottery

Selection Notices have been sent to user accounts for this years H-1B Cap Season.

If your employer did not receive a notice, that means that you were not selected to apply for an H1B visa this year. There are almost always more people who apply for the H-1B visa lottery than are chosen, as a result of the CAP limits.

But all is not lost!

If you were not chosen for the H1B visa, you may still have options!

The pathways for legal immigration and citizenship are just as diverse as our population, and numerous factors are to be considered when entering the U.S., such as your country of origin and your intentions upon entering the country. Depending on your abilities and the job opportunity you have, you may qualify for one or more of the following visas:

H-1B visa cap-exempt – Institutions of Higher Education, Certain Nonprofits and Government Research

O-1 Visas – Individuals with extraordinary talent in the arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics

EB-1 - Priority Worker and Persons of Extraordinary Ability

EB-2 - Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees

EB-2 NIW - National Interest Waiver

EB-3 - Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Unskilled Workers

EB-4 - Certain Special Immigrants

EB-5 - Immigrant Investors

R Visa – Religious Workers

TN Visa - Canadian and Mexican Citizens

If you have relatives in the United States, you may also qualify for a family-based immigration visa.

With increasing wait times and denials, it is more important than ever to properly assess which of these options is best for you. Failure to apply for the correct visa could result in years of additional wait time and/or outright denial of your application.

Additionally, filing the employment-based immigration documents can be quite complex. One mistake could mean reapplying or even rejection, which is why having a skilled attorney assist you throughout the process can ensure you get the job done right the first time around.

The employment immigration attorneys at the Scott Law Firm are experienced with assisting clients through every step of the immigration process, including choosing which visa is best for your unique situation. Contact us today!

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