The H-1B is a temporary nonimmigrant work visa that helps employers bring foreign workers in specialty occupations to the United States.
To be eligible for H-1B, a prospective employee must meet one of the following requirements:
The H-1B Visa is a U.S. non-immigrant visa for foreign professionals hired by U.S. employers to work in specialty occupations that require a high level of theoretical and practical specialized knowledge, typically evidenced by a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
For the employer: must offer a job in a specialty occupation, must pay the required wage and comply with the Labor Condition Application (LCA) requirements. For the beneficiary: must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in the specialty field, must have a valid job offer in that field and the employer must sponsor the petition.
Yes — there is an annual cap of 65,000 visas for regular H-1B petitions plus an additional 20,000 for individuals with a U.S. master’s degree or higher.
The initial period is typically up to three years, and it can be extended up to a maximum period of six years in most cases.
Yes, but a new H-1B petition must be filed by the new employer or for the new role; the beneficiary must maintain authorized status during the change.
Yes. A spouse and unmarried children under 21 may come under the dependent category (H-4 status), though certain work authorisations may be limited.
One significant update is the requirement that new H-1B petitions filed on or after September 21 2025 must be accompanied by an additional payment of $100,000 as per a presidential proclamation. Also, the selection process (lottery) may shift toward a “weighted selection” favoring higher-paid or more highly specialised roles.
