H-1B Visa : Program To Renew
The U.S. State Department recently launched a program to renew the much sought-after H-1B foreign work visas domestically.
- H-1B Visa is a non-immigrant visathat allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise for a specified period.
- A speciality occupation is one that requires the application of a body of highly specialised knowledge and the attainment of at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
- The intent of the H-1B provisions is to help employers who cannot otherwise obtain needed business skills and abilities from the U.S. workforce by authorising the temporary employment of qualified individuals who are not otherwise authorised to work in the United States.
- Occupations that qualify for the H-1B visa are typically in fields such as technology, finance, engineering, architecture, or more.
- The H-1B visa is valid for three yearsand can be extended one time for an additional three years. In general, the H-1B is valid for a maximum of six years.
- There is no limit to the number of H1-B Visas that an individual can have in his or her lifetime.
- H1-B holders can seek a Green Card or Lawful Permanent Residency for themselves and their families.
- If the H1-B holder is changing jobs, he or she must reapply for a new visa.
Eligibility:
In order to be eligible for the H1B visa, you will need:
- A valid job offer from a U.S. employer for a role that requires speciality knowledge
- Proof of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in that field
- The US employer must show that there is a lack of qualified U.S. applicants for the role.
- The annual H-1B visa limit is 85,000. There are 65,000 regular H-1B visas each year, and an additional 20,000 visas are reserved for applicants with advanced degrees.
- Some exceptions to the H-1B visa cap include people entering the U.S. to work in higher education or affiliated research/non-profit organisations.
- Applicants are selected for adjudication via a lottery system
