H-1B Visa: Professional Workers

The H-1B visa is a versatile business visa that offers flexibility, which makes it a great fit for a wide variety of companies and their employees.  This category allows US companies to sponsor foreign workers in any industry and covers short- or long-term contracts.

The H1B may be for part- or full-time employment; and the visa holder may work for more than one employer at a time.  Originally issued for a three-years, H1B status is renewable for an additional three years.  An employer is allowed to extend their employee’s H1B status pas the six years, if they are sponsoring the worker for a green card and have met specific filing deadlines.

Primary Eligibility Requirements

Three main factors determine eligibility for this visa:

  • The position offered must require a bachelor’s degree or higher in a specified field or fields

  • The applicant must have the specified bachelor’s degree OR have the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree via work experience/education

  • The sponsoring company must be willing to pay the “prevailing wage” for the position

Examples of Successful Cases that Qualify for an H1B

The H-1B visa may be issued to a wide variety of professional workers. A few examples of successful cases on which we have worked include:

  • Software Engineer/Developer

  • Computer Systems Analyst

  • UX or UI Designer

  • Mechanical/Chemical Engineer

  • Research Scientist

  • Director of Aquatics

  • Financial Analyst

  • Pre-school/elementary school Teacher

  • University Professor

  • Intern Architect

  • Accountant

  • Winemaker

  • Therapist/Caseworker/Social Worker

  • Account Executive

  • Food and Beverage Manager

  • Jeweler

H1B Lottery

H1B Lottery for First Time Applicants:

  • Only 85,000 new H-1B visas are issued each fiscal year, which begins on October 1 

  • Under the H-1B lottery, employers register in March with random selections occurring by April. If selected, employers have 90 days in while to file an H1B petition for their applicant.  The requested start date will be October 1 of that same year. 

  • If not selected in the lottery, employees may still be eligible for other visas, which will enable them to work with their sponsoring employer

H-1B Application Procedures

We have more than twenty years’ experience navigating the ever changing landscape of H1B petitions. Our success rate is exceptionally high, as we work closely with our clients to ensure well documented and argued cases. These applications need to meet the basic legal criteria and also the current trends that may change numerous times throughout the year. In your initial consult with us, we will analyze your company and offered position in this context.

Green Card Procedures for H-1B Visa Holders

We know how valuable well trained, professional employees are to the success of your business. When your H1B employee is someone you’d like to retain long term, we can assist you in obtaining their green card, which can lead to employee loyalty and business growth.