Only 65,000 H-1B visas are issued in the US each year. These are considered “specialty” visas and are available to professionals in certain occupations. To qualify for an H-1B visa, the applicant generally must have at least a bachelor’s degree. For example, doctors, engineers, or computer programmers are examples of professionals who may qualify. Researchers, professors and architects would also be good, although less thoughtful, examples of professionals who could be accepted.
The new filling season begins on April 1 of each year, and that is the best time to apply. That means that both the employee and the potential employer must complete the paperwork well in advance of that date. Since there is always a high demand for the limited number of visas that are allowed, that also means that employers must start their recruitment process early if they plan to use H-1B applicants to fill positions.
There are some exceptions to the 65,000 visa limit. For example, students who graduate from a US university with a degree higher than a master’s degree may qualify for an additional 20,000 visas. However, these visas are also in high demand. Of course, the normal limit of 65,000 visas is not just about the time of filing. The United States has a preferred schedule and will allocate visas according to that schedule. A person with special skills, or who has obtained national or international recognition, will be the first on the list. In other words, a Nobel Prize-winning science or a famous musician is likely to get a visa.
People who have advanced degrees, or those with special expertise in a chosen field, or who have demonstrated special skills in the arts or sciences will be second on the list. These would be highly qualified individuals for positions for which the United States has shown that it has a labor shortage.
However, there are also many places for other professionals. The first two preference groups do not make up the majority of visas issued, probably because not many eligible people apply.
If you want to work in the US, make sure you understand the work visa rules. That way, you’ll understand how you qualify to work here, so you know under which preference level your visa will be considered. It is also important to have the correct documentation in order and submit it promptly.
