Visas For Teachers: H-1B and Green Card Immigration Attorneys
Whether you are seeking to immigrate to the United States as a teacher, or you are taking appropriate legal steps to hire foreign instructors, consulting with an attorney can protect your rights, minimize delay, and ensure compliance with federal regulations. At Ilagan & Associates, P.C. we offer experienced advocacy and counseling to protect the interests of our immigrant and business clients.
Our attorneys will protect your rights and prevent delay in obtaining a non-immigrant teaching visa. Call 713-888-0811 (or toll-free at 866-664-2603) or contact us by e-mail for an initial consultation or case evaluation.
H-1B Non-immigrant visas for teachers
With the shortage of teachers in the United States, an increasing number of elementary education, secondary education and higher educational institutions are seeking the assistance of instructors from Canada, Mexico, Philippines, and other countries. There is a particular need for teachers in the areas of math, science, and bilingual education. Our firm represents companies, school districts, colleges and other institutions seeking to hire foreign teachers.
Specialty occupations to obtain a non-immigrant visa
The H-1B visa allows professionals in "specialty occupations" to make a valuable contribution to the American economy. There are 65,000 H-1B visas issued every fiscal year. The H-1B visa is issued for up to three years, but may be extended for a general maximum stay of six years. In order for an employee to stay beyond the 6-year mark, he or she must achieve certain steps in the green card process sponsored by a company or an educational institution.
Other temporary work visas
There are other temporary visa options for teachers. Australian teachers are eligible for E-3 professional visas and Canadian and Mexican teachers can apply for TN work visas. As your attorneys, you can trust that we will explore every alternative to accomplish your objectives.
Green Card Process for teachers
When an employer decides to sponsor a teacher for permanent status, the process will most likely require labor certification. Labor certification is a process which requires the company or institution to first search for employees in the U.S. to verify a shortage or need in the workforce. Our attorneys will explore alternative options for teachers and employers to bypass this stage. You may be able to forego the labor certification process in the following instances:
- The teacher holds an advanced degree and may qualify for the "national interest waiver"
- The teacher is nationally or internationally renowned and could qualify as an employee with "extraordinary ability" in his or her profession or discipline
Please call 713-888-0811 (or toll-free at 866-664-2603) or e-mail our office to schedule an initial consultation or case evaluation with an experienced non-immigrant visas lawyer serving Harris County, Houston, Texas, and nationwide.
Fluent or conversant in Spanish, French, Tagalog, Dutch and German.
