LCA/H1B with or without attorney ?

SandySkil

Registered Users (C)
Hi,

I am hiring a foreign worker (currently student on F1 visa/OPT)
for my small start-up in Florida, and was wondering
if it is necessary to hire an attorney for the paperwork/filings.

What are "reasonable" attorney fees for such filings
(LCA and H1B) ?

Thanks for sharing your experience/comments.
 
Hi,

I am hiring a foreign worker (currently student on F1 visa/OPT)
for my small start-up in Florida, and was wondering
if it is necessary to hire an attorney for the paperwork/filings.

What are "reasonable" attorney fees for such filings
(LCA and H1B)?

You don't need to hire an attorney. It is pretty straight forward process. Key is if your employer agrees. Most employers don't know how to and get a little un-easy doing it yourself.

I would not pay more than $1K.
 
I haven't used a lawyer yet (knock on wood)

It is possible to do this entire process without a lawyer.
 
He is the employer! :) Employee cannot file and there is no question of needing attorney for filing.
 
Thank you for your replies.

Yes, I'm the employer, and a US citizen.
Immigrant myself, I went through the H1B process
several years ago, which got handled by a lawyer.

Meanwhile, the procedure for LCA has changed, and I wasn't
sure for the H1B filing. I want to avoid any
mistake, know well enough the consequences
it can have on the immigrant.

Can you shed some light on the LCA-H1B procedure ?
Share your experience ?

Is there a web site with some information
on the application process, from employer's
perspective, other than the BCIS web site ?

Thanks !
 
If you cannot afford the lawyer for this, your company's financial state is inadequate to support an H1B who must be paid at all times. You need to reassess your financials if this is the case.
 
Sound's like you had a bad experience ?
Fortunately, not all employers are jerks.

Finances are perfectly fine, including
worker's pay already set aside.

Does this mean we should spend money
on lawyer's fees, if we do not need to ?

I do not think so.
 
I would say it is worthwhile spending 1000-2000 bucks for an attorney's services, but then it is your choice.
 
My employer is a public school system, so there was (is) no money for immigration lawyers, even though there is a shortage of teachers in my specialty and hiring a "foreigner" became necessary.

After much research and a few early mistakes, I have been working full time in H1B status since 2002. My employer has an approved I140 for me, so I renew my H1b yearly to keep working. We have done all of this and continue doing it without the attorney fees.

The LCA for H1B is actually pretty easy to do and quick. As for the actual H1B forms - read carefully, ask questions as you go in this forum, and you should be fine.

I'd be happy to help if you have specific questions (I do renew EVERY year, so it's pretty fresh), but I am not the ultimate expert, that's for sure. If I do not know an answer, I will say so. My english is excellent (I'm Canadian), so that will not be an issue if you need help.

Good luck.
 
snowns: thanks a lot for your reply and offer to help.

Due to bad economy and high jobless rate, DOL is likely to
look very close such things like job description, skills and
training needed, and so on.

Therefore I decided to hire a lawyer, the same lawyer who handled
my own immigration matters. He is doing the LCA and H1B for
my future employee. Just to make sure things will go smoothly.

Good luck to you too, and I hope you will
get your I485 approved soon !
 
SandySkil,

I'm glad you made a decision that will work best for your situation. It will probably save you much stress and many headaches in the long run!
 
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