When it comes to employment-based immigration services in the Bay Area, California, there are various immigration law firms and service providers that can assist individuals and employers with employment-based immigration processes. These services may include:
- Visa Application Assistance: Immigration professionals can guide individuals and employers through the application process for various employment-based visas. Such as H-1B visas for skilled workers, L-1 visas for intracompany transfers, O visas for individuals with extraordinary abilities, and more.
- PERM Labor Certification: For employment-based green card applications, immigration service providers can assist employers in navigating the labor certification process, including preparing and filing the Program Electronic Review Management (PERM) application.
- I-9 Compliance: Immigration service providers can help employers ensure compliance with Form I-9 requirements, which verify the identity and employment eligibility of their employees.
- Compliance with Immigration Laws and Regulations: Immigration professionals can provide guidance to employers on compliance with immigration laws, regulations, and requirements, helping them avoid penalties and maintain lawful immigration practices.
- Employer-Sponsored Green Cards: Immigration service providers can assist employers and foreign workers in obtaining employment-based green cards. Such as EB-1 (priority workers), EB-2 (professionals with advanced degrees), EB-3 (skilled workers and professionals), and EB-5 (immigrant investors).
- Documentation and Petition Preparation: Immigration professionals can help with the preparation and submission of employment-based immigration petitions, ensuring that all necessary documentation is complete, accurate, and filed within the designated timelines.
How long does employment-based immigration take?
The timeline for employment-based immigration can vary significantly depending on several factors. Including the specific visa category, the country of origin of the individual, the complexity of the case, and the current processing times at the relevant government agencies. Here are some general guidelines for the processing times of commonly used employment-based immigration categories:- H-1B Visa: The H-1B visa is subject to an annual numerical cap, and the application process typically begins on April 1st each year. The processing time can range from a few months to several months, depending on the volume of applications and any additional requests for evidence (RFEs) from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- PERM Labor Certification: The PERM labor certification process, which is often the first step in obtaining employment-based green cards. Involves advertising the job position and completing a recruitment process to demonstrate that there are no qualified U.S. workers available for the position. The processing time for PERM can range from several months to over a year, depending on the backlog at the Department of Labor (DOL).
- Employment-Based Green Cards: The processing times for employment-based green cards can vary depending on the preference category (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, etc.) and the individual's country of chargeability. The overall timeline can range from several months to several years, depending on visa availability, backlogs, and any additional processing required.