How to Apply for the H1B Visa?
- Make sure you qualify for the H1B visa..
- Find a petitioner by applying for a job opening in the United States..
- Have the petitioning initiated by your employer..
- Apply for the H1B visa at the nearest US Embassy/Consulate in your home country.. Have a Labor Condition Application...
- Applicant must find an H1B sponsor.
- Employer must submit a Labor Conditions Approval (LCA)
- Employer must submit Form I-129.
- Applicant completes an H1B visa application at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
What are the requirements for H1B visa?
H-1B Visa Requirements. H-1B visa applications require a petitioner (the employer) and beneficiary (employee). The beneficiary must meet a minimum of one of the following requirements: Have completed a bachelor's degree (or higher) in the same field as their specialty occupation from an accredited university.
What is the process of H1B visa?
In addition to the employers, employees or H1B applicants also have to complete these steps:
- Fill in Form DS-160. The DS-160 is the most important part of the application. ...
- Schedule an interview. Try to schedule the interview as early as possible. ...
- Pay the H1B visa fees. The application fee is $190.
- Submit required documents for H1B Visa.
- Attend the H1B interview. ...
When is the H1B filing deadline?
The registration lottery will be held and notifications sent to employers no later than March 31. Employers will have 90 days beginning April 1 to file full H-1B visa petitions with supporting documents and filing fees.
What is H1b1 visa, processing time?
H-1B1 Visa Processing Time. Since the H-1B1 visa is not available for premium processing, it takes more time than the H-1B. Processing times vary from country to country, but in general it takes 4 to 6 months for the H-1B1 visa to be processed.
Who is eligible for H1B visa?
H-1B Visa Eligibility In order to be eligible for the H1B visa, you will need: A job offer from a U.S. employer for a role that requires specialty knowledge. Proof of a bachelor's degree or equivalent in that field. Your employer must show that there is a lack of qualified U.S. applicants for the role.
Is it easy to get H1B visa in USA?
How Difficult Is It To Get an H1B Visa? H1B visa requirements can be difficult to meet because you must first be hired by a U.S. employer who is willing to sponsor you. Competition for jobs in the United States is fierce, and demand for visas to enter the US grows daily.
How can I get H1B job in USA?
Here are the top 6 ways to find an H1B visa sponsor for 2022 so that you can file your petition:Look for a Job in the H1B Visa Sponsors Database.Apply for the Job and Get an Offer.Find an Internship.Look for Boutique Consulting Companies.Look for Global Consulting Companies.Find a Job at a US University.
Can I apply for H1B visa myself?
Q: Can I apply for an H-1B if I am self-employed? A: In general, it is required to show a valid employer-employee relationship in order to obtain an H-1B visa. This is determined by whether the U.S. employer may hire, pay, fire, supervise, or otherwise control the work of the H-1B worker.
How much does H1B visa cost?
How Much Does it Cost to Apply for H-1B Visa? The H-1B visa cost can range from $1,720 to $6,470 or more depending on attorney fees, optional fees, and employer criteria. However, only lottery-selected petitions will pay more than the $10 registration fee.
What is the minimum H-1B salary?
The H-1B nonimmigrant, whether full-time or part-time, must actually receive hourly wages or an annual salary totaling at least $60,000 in the calendar year. The salary must be paid “cash in hand” and “free and clear.” It must also be paid when due.
How long is H1B visa valid?
Typically, the initial duration of an H-1B visa classification is three years, which may be extended for a maximum of six years. Before an employer can file a petition with USCIS, the employer must take steps to ensure that hiring the foreign worker will not harm U.S. workers.
Who can sponsor me in USA?
Who You Can Help ImmigrateWho Can Sponsor WhoWho You AreImmigrants You Can PetitionU.S. citizenMarried children or adult childrenU.S. citizen age 21 or olderBrothers and sistersU.S. permanent residentUnmarried children4 more rows
Can I apply for H-1B without a job?
No, this is not possible. To apply for this visa, you must have a job offer from a U.S. company or organization.
Which visa is easy to get to US?
For many, a "B" visitor visa is the easiest and most appropriate one to get. (See 8 U.S. Code §? 1101.) The B visa a nonimmigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2).
How can I increase my chances of H-1B visa?
4 Tips to Increase Your Chances at an H1B VisaGet your application in as quickly as possible. The USCIS accepts applications in April and, believe us, they come in thick and fast. ... Only apply once. ... Don't pay your own fee. ... Make sure your employer is a “good” one.
What is the success rate of H-1B visa?
Since 65,000 are designated for the visa cap, that's a 23 percent chance of selection. However, you need to subtract the 6,800 petitions allocated for Chile and Singapore, so the odds were a bit lower than 23% for that year.
How long does IT take to get a H-1B visa approved?
3 months to 1 yearH1B regular application processing time is 3 months to 1 year for approvals. H1B premium processing is getting approval within 1 to 15 days of filing.
How can I increase my chances of H-1B visa?
4 Tips to Increase Your Chances at an H1B VisaGet your application in as quickly as possible. The USCIS accepts applications in April and, believe us, they come in thick and fast. ... Only apply once. ... Don't pay your own fee. ... Make sure your employer is a “good” one.
How long does IT take to get H-1B visa?
USCIS takes 15 days to adjudicate plus mailing time for Approval Notice; a total of approximately 5 weeks. Employee has to obtain visa and travel to U.S., that takes approximately one month (longer if a background check is initiated). That means: You should send us your request 2 1/2 - 3 months ahead of time.
Overview
The H-1B program applies to employers seeking to hire nonimmigrant aliens as workers in specialty occupations or as fashion models of distinguished merit and ability. A specialty occupation is one that requires the application of a body of highly specialized knowledge and the attainment of at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
Key News
On January 15, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (Department) issued an Office of Foreign Labor Certification H-1B Program Bulletin and a Wage and Hour Division Field Assistance Bulletin (FAB) revising its interpretation of its regulations concerning which employers of H-1B workers must file Labor Condition Applications.
How do I submit my H1B Visa?
The H1B Visa application process is electronic as it works with an online process created by the USCIS . However, the Petition Filing Process is very important and to complete it you must follow these steps:
How much does it cost to get an H1B visa?
Firstly, the initial registration fee is USD10,00, which is required to enter an H1B lottery. Be aware that all H-1B visa applications are subject to a lottery system, meaning that, even if you qualify for all the requirements, you might not be awarded your visa if you don’t win the lottery.
How does applying with iVisa.com work?
iVisa.com is ready to help with your visa and travel document needs. We know applying for a visa can be complicated, and that’s why our full service includes the following once it is launched:
What is an H1B visa?
The H1B Visa is a US visa designed for “specialty occupation”, which means the holder of this document is well-prepared in a position that requires exclusive knowledge or skill.
How long does it take to get an H1B visa?
The selection process can take from four to six months, and it depends on many aspects, including if the petitioner can continue with the selection process or not.
What is the minimum requirement for a specialty visa?
In general, the basic requirement is that the applicant has a university degree or an equivalent (for example, 3 years of work experience), and there might be other requirements needed, including highly specialized knowledge or ability.
Is there an online registration for H1B visa?
In 2020, the USCIS launched an online registration process to get the H1B Visa (H-1B cap). This method has reduced paperwork and data exchange, and it has also made the application process a lot easier for applicants.
What is an H1B visa?
The H1B is a special visa that allows foreign nationals to perform specialty occupations in the United States. This work can be in - but is not limited to - any of the following fields:
What is H1B in the US?
The H1B allows foreign nationals to perform specialty occupations in the United States. This allows highly qualified individuals to work and live in the US. This benefits both the beneficiaries and the US economy.
How long do you have to work to get an H1B visa?
Begin work in the United States. H-1B beneficiaries may arrive in the United States up to 10 days before the start date of their petition and stay up to 60 days (with some exceptions) after the termination of their H1B status. Upon arrival, you should present your passport, H1B visa, and Form I-797 approval.
What are the benefits of H1B?
One big advantage of H1B visa is the portability benefits. This means that if you are on an H1B and change employers, you can begin working for a different employer upon filing your new petition.
How long before I can apply for a visa can I apply for a visa?
Note that you cannot apply for a visa more than 90 days before the start date of the job . Upon scheduling a consular interview, the foreign national will meet with a US consular officer and show them their I-797 approval.
Is H1-B a multistep process?
The H1-B visa is a multistep process . The following is a general guideline followed by a more detailed explanation:
Can you come to the US if you have a petition approved?
Although, if the petition has already been approved, the process will be suspended, and you will be unable to come to the US.
How to find companies that have sponsored H1B visas?
You can do this by searching “H1B visa sponsors database” or “companies that sponsor H1 B visas.” Then, change the wording slightly to obtain lists of company names that have sponsored H1B visas in the past.
When do you have to tell a company you want to be in the H1B visa sponsorship?
Once you get a job offer, you have to tell the company that you want to be in the H1B visa sponsorship petition in 2021. This lets the company know that they have to act fast to get everything ready for April.
What companies sponsor H1B?
There are many, many companies in the U.S. that off H1B sponsorship. These companies exist in all fields and offer some of the best employment opportunities for H1B visa holders in the U.S. Some of the largest, most lucrative companies offering H1B sponsorship include: 1 Amazon 2 Google 3 Microsoft 4 Salesforce 5 Facebook
Is paying for an H1B visa a crime?
This is a big problem because paying for an H1B visa is considered a crime in the United States. If you decide to pay for an H1B visa, this year’s new regulations and laws can really come back to haunt you. You also never know whether what they’re saying is true or not, so we recommend you be very careful.
Who can use H1-B visas?
Nonimmigrants who are slated to work under a “specialty occupation” are eligible to be sponsored by their future employer for an H1-B visa. They must hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited university. Those with higher education can also receive this visa.
What is an H-1B visa?
Obtaining an H1-B visa will allow a United States company or employer to sponsor a nonimmigrant to come to the United States and work in what’s known as a “specialty occupation.”
How are H-1B visas different from other nonimmigrant visa programs?
However, an H1-B visa provides the most streamlined process to gain permanent resident status for a foreign employee through a concept known as “dual intent.”
How long can a nonimmigrant work in the US?
A nonimmigrant worker that receives an H-1B visa can work in the U.S. for up to three years on an initial grant of status. The employer has the ability to extend the status of that worker for only an additional three years, unless the employer seeks an employment-based green card for that worker while they’re in the U.S. on their H-1B visa.
Where do I get an I-797?
Employers will receive a Form I-797 Notice of Action if the petition is approved. The nonimmigrant worker will take a copy of the completed petition with all its forms and apply for their visa with the Department of State. They can do this at a consulate within their home country or at a U.S. embassy.
When did Trump suspend H-1B workers?
Before we go further, an important note: President Trump issued a proclamation in June 2020 that suspended the entry of many H, J, and L temporary workers into the U.S., specifically including H-1B workers. In October 2020, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White halted the implementation of the proclamation with a preliminary injunction ...
Can an employer hire highly educated non-immigrant workers?
Employers sometimes have the option of hiring highly educated nonimmigrant workers if they are unable to find workers domestically. Nonimmigrant workers can typically be sponsored for a limited time by an employer through the H-1B visa program, issued under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Though the program provides benefits for both parties, employers should review and consider the program’s terms and conditions before beginning the application process.
What is an H-1B visa?
Canadian citizens seeking temporary work in a “specialty occupation” that requires the skills of a professional may be eligible for an H-1B visa.
How do I apply for an H-1B visa?
An H-1B application can only be filed the employer. USCIS begins accepting H-1B petitions on April 1st of every fiscal year. The employer is the petitioner and the employee is the beneficiary.
H-1B lottery
There is an annual of 65,000 H-1B visas available for applicants with bachelor’s degree. An additional 20,000 H-1B visas are made available for applicant’s with a U.S. Master’s degree.
H-1B validity period
The H-1B visa is valid for up to three years, and it can be renewed for another three years for a total of six years. After six years, you have to leave the United States for a period of one year before you can re-apply for a new H-1B.
Dual intent under H-1B status
The H-1B allows for “dual intent,” which means that you can be sponsored for permanent residency while on the visa through an employment-based green card, family-based green card or marriage-based green card. This is important because some work visas, such as the TN visa, does not allow for dual intent.
H-1B visa versus TN visa
Canadians have the benefit of being able to choose between an H-1B visa and a TN visa. The question is, which one is better? The answer is that it depends on many things.
H-1B Advantages
More occupations and professions are available under an H-1B visa than the TN visa. There is a specific list of TN occupations. If you don’t fall under a TN profession, you won’t qualify for a TN visa
What is an H-2A visa?
An H-2A visa allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary agricultural jobs for which U.S. workers are not available. An H-2A nonimmigrant classification applies to you if you seek to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature in the United States on a temporary basis. A U.S. employer (or an association of U.S. agricultural producers named as a joint employer) must file a Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, on your behalf.
Where to bring I-129?
You must bring your I-129 petition receipt number to your interview at the Embassy or Consulate General in order to verify your petition's approval. Please note that approval of a petition does not guarantee issuance of a visa if you are found to be ineligible for a visa under U.S. immigration law.
What is the form I-129?
The petition, Form I-129, must be approved before you can apply for a work visa at the Embassy or Consulate General. When your petition is approved, your employer or agent will receive a Notice of Action, Form I-797, which serves as your petition's approval notification. The consular officer will verify your petition approval through ...
What is a temporary visa?
This visa is required if you are coming to the United States to perform a job which is temporary or seasonal in nature and for which there is a shortage of U.S. workers. Your employer is required to obtain a Department of Labor certification confirming that there are no qualified U.S. workers eligible for the type of employment on which your petition is based.
How many days prior to I-797 can I travel?
However, when making your travel plans, please note that due to Federal regulations, you can only use the visa to apply for entry to the United States starting ten days prior to the beginning of the approved status period noted on your I-797.
What is a Type P visa?
Type P visas are issued to certain athletes, entertainers, artists, and essential support personnel who are coming to perform in the United States.
Where to conduct H and L interviews?
Please also note that starting March 1, 2019, interviews for H and L visas will only be conducted at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing or at one of the U.S. Consulates General in Guangzhou or Shanghai. We will no longer be conducting H or L interviews at the U.S. Consulates General in Chengdu and Shenyang .
Overview
- The H-1B program applies to employers seeking to hire nonimmigrant aliens as workers in specialty occupations or as fashion models of distinguished merit and ability. A specialty occupation is one that requires the application of a body of highly specialized knowledge and the attainment of at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. The intent of the H-1B provisions is t…
Key News
- On January 15, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (Department) issued an Office of Foreign Labor Certification H-1B Program Bulletin and a Wage and Hour Division Field Assistance Bulletin (FAB) revising its interpretation of its regulations concerning which employers of H-1B workers must file Labor Condition Applications. The Department simultaneously submitted a Notice for p…
General Guidance
- Field Assistance Bulletin 2019-3: Compliance with the H-1B Notice Requirement by Electronic Posting(PDF)
- Employment Law Guide: Workers in Professional and Specialty Occupations (H-1B and H-1B1 Visas)
- Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Prevailing Wage Determinations for Nonagricultural Programs
- Wages under Foreign Labor Certification
Forms
Disqualified and Willful Violator Employers
- DOL maintains a list of individuals or corporations who, as a result of an H-1B investigation/final agency action, have been disqualified from approval of petitions to participate in the nonimmigra...
Nonimmigrant Worker Related Agency Links