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Columbus, Ohio: 614-647-2773 | Irving, Texas: 214-810-3933

HD | Harrison-Donaldson Attorney At Law
214-810-3933

Kimberly E. Harrison

Smart, Creative U.S. Immigration Law Solutions

NonImmigrant Visa Attorney For Texas Businesses And Employers

In competitive industries such as energy and tech, the specific skills you need are not always available locally. To keep projects on schedule, companies often must access a global talent pool.

Nonimmigrant visas provide a solution. They allow you to hire or transfer international staff for a temporary period. However, applying for the wrong visa category can lead to immediate denials or long delays.

My name is Kimberly Harrison-Donaldson, and I am an immigration attorney with over 20 years of experience. Throughout my career, I have advised employers and companies in Houston, Dallas, and other major cities across Texas and Ohio on the appropriate legal path to get their employees on the job. Having earned an MBA myself, I understand the operational side of hiring. As your attorney, I will ensure your immigration strategy supports your broader business objectives.

What Makes Applying For Temporary Visas Complex?

Hiring foreign nationals can involve undergoing strict federal processes. HR managers may face:

  • Uncertainty: The H-1B lottery is random, meaning you cannot guarantee a spot for your candidate.
  • Scrutiny: Government agencies frequently challenge whether a role is truly “complex” enough to warrant a visa.
  • Compliance issues: Errors in your public access files can lead to government audits.

As your legal counsel, I will provide a clear assessment of your candidate before we file, evaluating their education and job duties to ensure they meet federal standards. This proactive approach can help reduce the risk of unexpected hurdles.

Professional And Priority Occupation Visas

These visas are for candidates with specific degrees or professional credentials. I assist clients with:

  • H-1B visas: This is the standard for roles requiring specific university degrees or their professional equivalent, such as for engineering or IT jobs. I will provide guidance on the annual lottery registration and the certification process with the Department of Labor.
  • TN visas (NAFTA/USMCA): This option is specifically for qualified professionals from Canada and Mexico. If your candidate works in a designated profession, such as an accountant or engineer, this can be a faster alternative to the H-1B.
  • E-3 visas: This category is for nationals of Australia who are coming to the U.S. to perform services in a specialty occupation.

As your lawyer, I will manage the petition process to ensure your job descriptions match the strict criteria required by immigration officials.

Intracompany Transfers And Investment

If you are a multinational company, you may not need to hire new staff. You can transfer qualified team members based abroad to the U.S. This can be possible through:

  • L-1A and L-1B visas: These allow you to transfer managers, executives or employees with specialized knowledge from your overseas office to a U.S. branch. This can be a critical tool for expanding operations or managing U.S. projects.
  • E-1 and E-2 visas: These are for treaty traders and investors. They allow citizens of countries with specific treaties to enter the U.S. to direct investment operations or engage in substantial trade.

Proving the link between your overseas and U.S. operations is critical to securing these transfer visas. I will work to establish this relationship and ensure your corporate documentation meets the strict criteria for approval.

Extraordinary Ability And Other Categories

In some cases, the standard professional visas have a limit, may not apply or are unavailable. In these cases, I can help you look for alternatives based on the candidate’s specific achievements.

For example, individuals with sustained national or international acclaim in the sciences, arts or business may qualify for the O-1 visa. This is a key alternative to the H-1B because it has no annual cap. I can also assist with P visas for internationally recognized athletes and performers, as well as R visas for religious workers.

Protect Your Bottom Line: Discuss Your Strategy With Me Today

The longer that a key role sits vacant, the more it can negatively impact your project timelines and revenue. At Harrison-Donaldson, Attorney at Law, my team and I will treat your staffing goals with the urgency they deserve. Call my firm at 214-810-3933 (Texas office) or 614-647-2773 (Ohio office) or fill out this online form to get started.