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H-1B Visa Program

H-1B VISA

Overview

The H-1B Visa is a non-immigrant work visa that enables U.S. employers to hire skilled foreign professionals in specialty occupations including IT, engineering, healthcare, finance, and science. The USA H-1B Work Visa requires employer sponsorship and is typically granted to candidates with a bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field. The visa is initially issued up to three years and it can be extended to six years. It also offers a potential pathway to permanent residency. The H-1B Visa is subject to an annual cap and selection through a lottery system.

What Is the H-1B Visa?

The H-1B Visa is a non-immigrant work visa that allows U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals in specialty occupations that require specific technical or academic expertise. These roles typically demand at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in fields such as IT, engineering, science, finance, or healthcare.

Many visas that applicants can seek on their own, H-1B visa sponsorship must come from a U.S. employer — meaning a company must file the petition on behalf of the worker.

Why apply for a H-1B Visa?

Apply for a US H-1B Visa to work legally in the United States.

This visa is ideal for professionals with a bachelor’s degree in fields like IT, Finance, Architecture, Medicine, and Science.

Earn a salary in US dollars, which is often much higher than salaries in India.

The H-1B visa offers a clear pathway to a US Green Card

You can move to the USA with your spouse and children and settle there.

The US H-1B Visa is one of the most popular ways for skilled professionals to work in the United States. This visa must be applied for by a U.S. employer on behalf of a specialized employee. Typically, H-1B applicants hold at least a bachelor’s degree and work in fields such as IT, Finance, Architecture, Medicine, or Science.

Why apply for a H-1B Visa

Eligibility Requirements for US H-1BVisa:

VISA to be eligible for an H-1B visa, candidates need to fulfil the requirements

The applicant must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field.

A U.S. employer must sponsor the applicant.

The employer must register the applicant in the H-1B lottery (ballot system) during the registration period.

The ballot selection is random and conducted by USCIS if applications exceed the annual limit.

The H-1B employer must file a Labour Condition Application (LCA).

The employer must pay the prevailing wage.

The applicant must be selected under the H-1B cap/lottery (if applicable).

The visa is granted for up to 3 years, extendable to 6 years.

Dual intent is allowed. – the applicant may apply for permanent residency (green card).

H-1B Visa Program or Lottery (Ballot) System

H1-B Program is an U.S. employer sponsored work visa program. An employer must offer a job to apply for this visa. U S employer should apply for petition. Then get approved by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Then apply for Visa

Since the number of applicants exceeds the number of visas available each and every year, the U.S. government uses a Lottery System, also called the H-1B Ballot System, to randomly select eligible applicants.

How the H-1B Visa Program Works

Companies and other employers in the United States can employ foreign workers in H-1B program.

The applicant should have a bachelor’s degree or higher in a specific specialty related to the job

The applicant should have theoretical and practical highly specialized knowledge.

The number of H-1B applicants is subject to an annual cap, which may change every year.

An electronic registration process is used to select applicants.

Applicants who have done U S Master’s degree are given preference.

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) conducts a lottery (ballot) to select candidates

You can file an H-1B petition six months before the employment start date requested for the employer.

Fill Form I-129, Petition for a Non-immigrant Worker

H-1B Lottery / Ballot System Explained

The H-1B visa is subject to an annual cap, which is why the lottery system is required.

65,000 visas under the Regular H-1B cap
20,000 additional visas under the U.S. Master’s Cap

Applicants with a U.S. Master’s degree or higher are given preference and receive two chances in the lottery

H-1B Ballot Selection Process

Employers submit basic details about themselves and the employee during the registration period (usually in March).

USCIS first selects candidates with a U.S. master’s degree.

Remaining candidates are included in the regular quota.

USCIS selects applications randomly by computer.

Employers are informed of the results through the USCIS online system.

US H-1B Visa Details & Who Can Participate in the H-1B Lottery

The H-1B Visa is one of the most competitive work visas in the United States due to the annual visa cap and high demand from U.S. employers. As it also offers a pathway to a U.S. Green Card, due to the annual cap and the large number of skilled professionals applying each year. Because demand exceeds supply, USCIS uses a lottery (ballot) system to randomly select eligible applicants.

Only candidates who meet specific eligibility requirements and are registered by a U.S. employer are allowed to participate in the H-1B lottery.

Under the H-1B Visa, successful applicants can:

Live and work legally in the United States

Extend their stay based on employment and eligibility

Change employers while remaining on H-1B Visa status

Stay with their dependent spouse and children (under 21 years of age) in the US

To enter the H-1B ballot system, the applicant must:

Have a valid job offer from a U.S. employer

Work in a specialty occupation

Hold at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Be sponsored by an employer willing to file the H-1B petition

What Happens If You Are Not Selected?

If an applicant is not selected in the first ballot:

USCIS may conduct additional ballot rounds if visas remain unused

The employer can reapply in the next year’s lottery

Alternative U.S. work or study visa options may be explored

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