As a nonimmigrant work visa, the H1B allows U.S. employers to hire foreign individuals with the required set of skills. To apply for it, you must have a valid job offer to prove that you will be performing a specialty occupation and get a wage for it. Every year, there is a cap to fill with foreign workers. If the cap is 65,000, the first 20,000 applicants with a U.S. Master’s Degree or higher are exempt from that number.
In recent years, Obama Executive Actions in addition to the CIR (Comprehensive Immigration Reform) have tried to increase the H1B cap from 65,000 to 110,000 or to 180,000 per year, in case of excessive demand. Nevertheless, there still haven’t been any changes when it comes to the H1B quota increase – it’s not happening in 2017. H1B cap is confirmed to be 65,000 for regular applicants and 20,000 for those with Master’s Degrees.
As you can see, a very large number of applications are expected every year, so have yours ready and triple check in time. An H1B visa’s validity is subject to the worker’s permanence in the position. If the foreign worker wishes to change jobs, he or she would have to submit a visa transfer petition with a new sponsor. It is not necessary to wait until the transfer is issued to begin working with the new employer.
- Being a working visa holder means you will enter the United States legally and employed. Having employment stability is a critical factor for every individual who relocates to a different country.
- While having your H1B visa, you can still apply for a permanent residence status. Which would include your immediate family as well.
- The H1B visa allows you to switch employers as long as you apply for a transfer. So your options as a specialized professional are not limited. H1B visas allow you to stay in the country for up to 6 years.
You Need to Know about
THE H1B VISA
Alice Antonovsky
for:
• Family-Based Immigration
• Deferred Action for Childhood arrivals (DACA)
• Naturalization
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• Asylum
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