The H1B visa is a temporary or non-immigrant “specialty occupation” US visa, which means the holder is employed in a position that requires specialized skills or knowledge.
Jobs that suit the H1B visa typically need a university degree or equivalent (which can mean 3 years’ work experience for each year that would normally be spent at university). The position should be one that would normally require that level of experience.
The visa is valid for three years, with one possible additional three-year extension, making six years’ maximum stay in total.
Any application must be sponsored by a valid company. So the individual must have an offer of work, education, or internship prior to submitting the application.
The H1B Cap
USCIS normally issue a maximum of 65,000 regular H1B visas each year, with some exceptions:
- The first 20,000 visas awarded to people who hold master’s degrees or higher do not count against the limit.
- Visas for people entering the US to work in higher education or in affiliated research/non-profit organizations may also be exempt from the cap.
- 6800 visas are normally reserved for citizens of Chile and Singapore, under the special H1-B1 visa. This number is deducted from the total (65,000 regular plus 20,000 masters’) visa allocation.
Because of the strict limits, visas are granted on a lottery basis. This means there is no guarantee that, even if you qualify, you will be awarded your visa. (Of course, if you do not apply, you cannot win the lottery.)
Be aware that 236,000 petitions for H1B visas were submitted in the 2016 window, and the lottery allocation was completed on April 9, 2016. That means there were 2.7 applications for each visa granted.
We recommend you speak to one of our attorneys for advice on the cap.
How to Get H1B Visa
Because of the limited number of visas issued, there is a specific window for applications, which usually starts on April 1st for the fiscal year starting October 1st of the following year. So you can apply from April 1st, 2017 for entry in the year starting October 1st, 2018.
Specialized fields for H1B Visas
may include (but are not limited to) the following. If your area of work is not in one of the fields of work listed below, please contact us and we will be happy to advise.
- accountancy
- architecture
- arts
- computer programming
- education
- engineering
- international business management
- journalism
- law
- mathematics
- medicine / health
- modeling
- nursing
- research
- sciences
- social sciences
- theology
Labor Condition Application
A further condition to H-1B applications is that the employer must assure that it will pay the visa holder a comparable wage to other workers who have similar qualifications. This is known as the prevailing wage.
Determining the prevailing wage can be difficult, and is one of the most common areas where an application can be held up, so you are advised to get advice from an attorney as early as possible in the process.
Advice for H1B Applicants
Online Visas’ founder Jon Velie gives some tips on your application strategy, including credentialing, prevailing wage, and the lottery.
How to Apply
Here are the steps involved in applying for your H1-B visa:
- You must accept a job that meets the above mentioned requirements.
- You must meet one of the following prerequisites:
- Have completed a bachelors degree or higher in the field of the specialty occupation from an accredited university.
- Hold a foreign degree which is equivalent to a bachelors degree or higher in the field of the specialty occupation.
- Hold an unrestricted state license registration or certification in the field of the specialty occupation in the intended state of employment.
- Have verifiable and recognized education, experience, or training in the specialty that is equivalent to the completion of a bachelors degree or higher.
- Contact Online Visas to arrange a free strategy session with one of our attorneys. We will discuss your options and costs, and help you decide on the best way forward.
Possible Alternatives to the H1B Visa
People who may be eligible for the H1-B may also be eligible for:
- the TN visa (for citizens of Canada or Mexico);
- the E3 (for citizens of Australia);
- O1 (extraordinary ability in a wide range of fields);
- L1 visa (if they have been employed overseas for at least one continuous twelve-month period within the last three years);
- The E1 (treaty trader) or E2 (treaty investor) visas may also be worth looking into.
Green Cards
Many H1-B holders apply for Labor Certification Green Cards under EB2 or EB3 categories.
If considering a green card application, note that there is a rule that dictates that, if a green card application is submitted prior to the end of the 5th year on H1-B, the H1-B holder can continue to extend the H1-B in one-year increments.
For those who gain extraordinary skills during their stay, they may become suitable for the EB1-1 (exceptional ability).
If a person has access to sufficient funds, they may consider applying for the EB-5 “Investor Green Card”, however note that the investment must be the applicant’s own money and may not be borrowed.
H1B Visa Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I stay in the US on an H1B visa and be self-employed?
A: No You cannot be self-employed under an H-1B visa. You must be employed by a US-based sponsoring company.
Q: Can my degree be issued by any university?
A: Yes, in principle, however you may need to have your credentials evaluated by an approved organization. We can advise and help with this.
Q: What is credential evaluation?
A: This is simply the process of assessing to what extent education or work experience gained outside the United States is equivalent to similar experience in the US. Foreign education may be evaluated by evaluators outside the US, but work experience gained in other countries must be supported with documentation.
Q: Is there a minimum length of degree study?
A: To qualify for the H1B, you typically need minimum four years of study on a degree course. If you have completed more than one degree, it may be possible to combine the time spent on multiple degree-level courses. You may also use a combination of university study plus progressive work experience.
Q: What does “progressive” experience mean?
A: The USCIS has not specified exactly what is meant by “progressive” but you can take it to mean that your work must have required continual advancement over time.
Q: I do not have a degree. Can I still qualify for an H1B visa?
A: Yes. If you have relevant work experience in you speciality field, you may qualify with equivalent experience. You will normally need three years’ work experience per one year of degree study, so typically twelve years’ minimum.
Q: Can I bring my family with me to the United States?
A: Yes, your immediate family (i.e. spouse and any unmarried children under the age of 21) may accompany you to the US under an H4 visa. They will be permitted to study but not work in the United States.
Q: Is it possible to stay longer than 6 years on an H1B visa?
A: No, the visa itself is strictly limited to the initial 3 years plus possible 3-year extension. However you may be able to stay longer if you apply for permanent residency (Green Card) while holding an H-1B visa. But, it is important you apply for the Green Card by the end of year 2 of your extension.
H-1B Questions Answered
“USCIS’ updated policy states that an application, petition, or request can now be denied without issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE). What will be the implication of this on H1B Visa holders?”
The new policy implementation allowing USCIS officers the ability to deny a visa or green card application, petition or request without issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) gives adjudicators almost full discretion to make complex judgments without clear standards nor proper oversight to safeguard against unequal treatment.
What this means is that immigration officials who have questions about a case or see a technical issue can merely deny instead of give applicants or petitioners an opportunity to correct clerical errors or provide U.S. employers and attorneys the right to address concerns.
The intensified restrictions to immigration still allow for the official to issue an RFE, but will they? In some cases yes.
However, past actions signal that denials will rise, even in cases that would ultimately be approved given the opportunity to rectify concerns or submit additional evidence.
The implication for an H1-B visa holder seeking an extension is this: dot your i’s and cross your t’s. Make sure you have a seasoned law professional with high approval success in your corner.
The changes could be devastating to American employers and employees who use legal processes to file visa petitions on behalf of the foreign nationals to extend their employment.
“Is USCIS not sending RFE for H1 petition this year?”
Effective Sept. 11, 2018, USCIS officers are no longer required to issue a Request For Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) and may outright deny an application, petition or request for even minor clerical mistakes.
The new policy implementation allowing USCIS officers the ability to deny a visa or green card application, petition or request without issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) gives adjudicators almost full discretion to make complex judgments without clear standards nor proper oversight to safeguard against unequal treatment.
What this means is that immigration officials who have questions about a case or see a technical issue can merely deny instead of give applicants or petitioners an opportunity to correct clerical errors or provide US employers and attorneys the right to address concerns.
The intensified restrictions to immigration still allow for the official to issue an RFE, but will they? In some cases yes.
However, past actions signal that denials will rise, even in cases that would ultimately be approved given the opportunity to rectify concerns or submit additional evidence.
“What would be the consequences if the US ended H1-B visas?”
It would adversely effect our tech, medical, science, higher education ad many others. US companies require the best and brightest to compete. We have massive numbers of jobs in the tech and other industries that can not find enough talented workers in the STEM fields.
Jobs and companies would leave the US for more welcoming nations. International students will also drastically drop in numbers impacting US colleges and universities.
“Will restricting legal immigration destroy the country economically as H1B visa holders pay billions of dollars in taxes annually and they get no benefits (no social security, no medicare or other benefits)?”/strong>
Restricting H-1B visa issuance has a number of negative impacts on our economy. Statistically every H-1B visa creates almost two jobs for Americans on average. In smaller companies it can create almost 7 jobs per each H-1B. Reducing H-1Bs reduces jobs for Americans at almost double a rate.
Makjng these high skilled visas tougher to obtain for American companies forces jobs and companies to leave America. It also has caused foreign nation students to lose interest in attending US Universities. Indian students have decreased admissions by 28% while Chinese students havre decreased by 24%. This translates to a loss of approximately $2 Billion in tuition to US universities annually.
Other countries like Canada and India are already enjoying increase migration of American companies and foreign nationals to bolster their economy especially in the tech industry.
The US has lead the world in technology by importing the top skill in the world to come to our inviting and innovative environment, visa regulations are chilling this environment, this could cause us to lose our leadership position and adversely impact our economy.
“Are F2 visa holders allowed to attend a job interview in order to get H1B sponsors?”
Yes, attending an interview is not considered work and not in violation of the F-2 or other visas that do not permit unauthorized work. If you are offered a position. You may change your status to an H-1B subject to its filing procedures.
“Can I port my H1B to a new employer after an H1B amendment denial?”
You can port your H-1B if you are still working on the original H-1B, however if you left the first job went to another position and the previous H-1B has expired, you may have broken the chain. I would need more information, please feel free to contact us directly to better address your situation.
“What kinds of RFEs USCIS are imposing on H1B Extensions?”
FYI: Effective Sept. 11, 2018, USCIS officers are no longer required to issue a Request For Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) and may outright deny an application, petition or request for even minor clerical mistakes.
4 major issues with H-1B visas that can trigger an RFE
1. Deference to previously approved visas
The first major hurdle for H-1B visa holders came in the form of Policy Memorandum 602-0151 issued on October 23, 2017. The new memorandum rescinded previous guidance, issued April 23, 2004, that gave deference to prior determinations of eligibility for H-1B visa holders filing for extensions that involved the same parties and underlying facts as the initial petition.
In other words, USCIS introduced a series of policies with more stringent standards to apply to previously approved petitions.
2. Level 1 wage
The second complication to H-1B petitions is wage levels. More H-1B RFEs now question wage level 1. On March 31, 2017, USCIS issued a policy memorandum that put into question the qualification of ‘computer programmer’ as a specialty occupation. Specifically, entry-level positions that require a university degree, but no experience are typically classified under level 1 wage. USCIS has argued that the job duties paying level 1 wages are not complex enough to qualify as specialized but too complex to be considered entry-level because they involve the exercise of judgment and thus require oversight from a wage level 3 supervisor. Quite the predicament.
3. Specialty occupation
This brings us to the problem of singular degrees and specialization. USCIS contends that a specialty occupation requires a theoretical and practical application of a body of specialized knowledge and together with at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. The issue with the singular degree requirement is that often the coursework of a related degree provides the specialized knowledge needed to perform job duties.
For instance, to fill a computer programmer position an applicant does not necessarily require a computer science degree to carry out tasks. Instead, a person with a mathematics or information technology degree can adequately fulfil such job responsibilities. Under the new policy, if an employer determines that an applicant with a mathematics degree is most qualified for a computer programmer position, a technical evaluation must then be submitted with solid documentation demonstrating how the applicant’s coursework is directly connected to the job description, adding time and money to an already complex process.
4. Right to control
Another obstacle to the H-1B visa is the “right to control” in which USCIS scrutinizes the employer-employee relationship by weighing multiple factors such as who directly supervises the H-1B worker and whether supervision is performed on or off-site.
If the work is performed off-site, then the method and frequency of supervision are analyzed. USCIS further evaluates the employer-employee relationship in a myriad of ways, most common are: who pays the H-1B worker, sets their hours, directs their daily tasks, is in charge of hiring and firing, provides benefits and claims the worker for tax purposes. The use of proprietary information and whether the end work product is directly linked to the H-1B employer’s (petitioner’s) business is closely examined.
To combat such intrusive investigation by USCIS, project management software that indicates oversight and services provided by all constituents should be used. Furthermore, submitting an itinerary or any and all documentation demonstrating the employer-employee relationship with specific job duties that is signed by all parties can help increase the chances of success.
“Will it be a good option to switch jobs after 9/11 with H1B filed under normal processing and waiting for the final approval?”
Obtaining H-1B transfer approval to switch jobs without premium processing, which is suspended until mid-February, will be an extremely SLOW process. Exploring H-1B visa alternatives could be a solution to avoid long wait times.
“Are there increase in H1B RFEs and/or rejects in the recent past?”
At Online Visas we have not witnessed such a major spike in the number of Requests For Evidence (RFE) and denials (USCIS data indicates 400%) in the recent past.
The severity of consequences for even minor clerical mistakes is expected to increase as USCIS officers are no longer required to issue an RFE or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) as of today, Sept. 11, 2018, when PM-602-0163 goes into effect.
“What are the possibilities for an H1B visa in the entertainment industry, for someone with the higher education in a totally different background?”
Obtaining an H-1B visa hinges on the ability to demonstrate the applicant’s specialized knowledge that qualifies them for the position.
An O1 visa may be an option if you meet at least three of the following conditions:
- Have received national or international awards or prizes of excellence in their field.
- Being a member of associations whose membership requires outstanding achievement, judged by nationally or internationally recognized experts in the respective discipline.
- Their work has been featured in professional or high-profile trade publications or mainstream media.
- The applicant has served in some capacity as a judge of others in the same (or closely related) field. This could either be individual or as part of a judging panel.
- Have had articles published in professional or notable trade publications.
- Have made original scientific, academic, or business contributions of major significance in their respective field.
- Have served in a leading or critical capacity for highly regarded organizations or establishments.
- Command a high salary or remuneration for their services.
- Other relevant evidence of exceptional expertise that does not fit any of the above criteria.
“Is the LCA filed for the H1B process tied to a specific employee?”
The Labor Certification Application (LCA) is submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to ensure that there are no American’s willing or qualified to take the job and that the employer pays the prevailing wage.
Determining the prevailing wage is one of the most common areas where an application can be held up.
“What is the process of sponsoring (for the company) and qualifying for (the person) an H1B visa? What are the hoops that have to be jumped through? How much does it cost?”
In order to protect the interest of US citizens and residents, the H-1B requires a Labor Condition Application (LCA) which is set in place to ensure equal opportunity, pay, and working conditions for foreign workers and US citizens and residents.
One step in this process is the LCA Notice of Posting. Essentially, this is a requirement that the employer formally informed their employees and the public in writing that the LCA is being filed.
The notice of posting can come in two forms – a hard copy notice or an electronic notice. To post a hard copy notice, after the LCA attestation is accepted, the employer must print and sign the LCA. Then, they must post it in two conspicuous places in the work area where the beneficiary would be working.
An electronic notice should be given on or within 30 days before the labor certification is filed. It should be made available for viewing by affected employees for at least 10 days. The employer may make the notice available using any means it normally uses to communicate with workers such as a “home page” or “electronic bulletin board”.
Rules for the notice of posting vary slightly depending on if there is a bargaining representative or not.
According to the Code of Federal Regulation, if there is not a bargaining representative, the notice should include:
- that H-1B nonimmigrants are sought;
- the number of such nonimmigrants the employer is seeking;
- the occupational classification; the wages offered;
- the period of employment;
- the location(s) at which the H-1B nonimmigrants will be employed;
- and that the LCA is available for public inspection at the H-1B employer’s principal place of business in the U.S. or at the worksite.
The notice should also include the statement:
“Complaints alleging misrepresentation of material facts in the labor condition application and/or failure to comply with the terms of the labor condition application may be filed with any office of the Wage and Hour Division of the United States Department of Labor.”
If there is collective bargaining representative for the occupational classification in which the beneficiary will be employed, the notice should pinpoint:
- the number of H-1B nonimmigrants the employer is seeking to employ;
- the occupational classification in which the H-1B nonimmigrants will be employed;
- the wages offered;
- the period of employment;
- and the location(s) at which the H-1B nonimmigrants will be employed.
In addition to posting the labor certification, the employer must develop and maintain documentation to support the statements made in the notice of posting.
The Code of Federal Regulation States that the employer should retain records for one year beyond the period which the H-1B nonimmigrant was employed under the labor condition application or, if no beneficiary was employed, one year after the date the LCA expired. Moreover, the documentation must be made available for public and Department of Labor examination upon request.
