US H1B Visa Process in 2023: The H1B Visa program enables employers in the United States to hire foreign workers for positions in their companies. This visa is a nonimmigrant temporary resident visa issued for an initial period of three years.
Applicants from any country can apply online for the US H1B Work Visa, provided they possess a bachelor's degree qualification, which is a prerequisite for eligibility. Notably, the H1B Visa is among the most popular work visa in the United States.
Annually, the US Government selects 85,000 new H1B applicants. Among these, 20,000 slots are reserved for individuals with a Master's degree or higher qualification.
Many companies in the United States sponsor H1B Visa jobs as the country's size and economy necessitate workers from around the globe. In this post, I will comprehensively cover the H1B Visa process, requirements, and the various types of H1B Work Visas.
Eligibility Criteria for the US H1B Visa in 2023
To determine if you qualify for the US H1B Visa, consider the following criteria
▪ A four-year Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent degrees) OR
▪ A Master's or Doctoral Degree OR
▪ Advanced training or vocational skills (examples include fashion models)
Additionally, you must have a job offer from a US employer.
Examples of Jobs Eligible for an H1B Visa
The H1B Visa program allows individuals in various fields to work in the United States. Eligible occupations include:
1. Architecture
2. Engineering
3. Mathematics
4. Physical Sciences
5. Social Sciences
6. Medicine and Health
7. Education
8. Business Specialties
9. Accounting
10. Law
11. Theology
12. The Arts
For more detailed information about the H-1B program and specialty occupations, you can visit the H-1B Specialty Occupations webpage.
Types of H1B Visas
▪ H-1B: The H-1B visa requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree or its equivalent.
▪ H-1B1: This visa is designed for specialty workers from Chile and Singapore.
▪ H-1B2: The H-1B2 visa is reserved for specialty occupations that mandate a bachelor's degree or its equivalent.
▪ H-1B3: This visa category is specifically for fashion models who will be working in the United States.
H1B Visa Cap
Applications for the H1B visa open each year in the spring. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approves approximately 65,000 petitions annually, covering the period from October 1st to September 30th of the following year. Moreover, an additional 20,000 visas are reserved for individuals with a master's degree or higher qualification.
H1B Selection Process (H1B Visa Lottery)
The H1B Visa lottery is a random selection process through which the US Government chooses applicants at random to be granted a Work Visa.
Here's how the process works:
1. Your employer/company, who has offered you a job, will apply for each prospective H-1B worker.
2. The USCIS then conducts a random selection of 85,000 registrations to fulfill the annual quota for H-1B visas.
3. The H-1B visa lottery takes place each year in March.
In simple terms, here's what you need to do:
1. Apply for jobs online with US companies.
2. Once you receive an offer letter, stay in contact with your employer to proceed with the work visa process.
3. Gather all the required documents and apply for the H1B Work Visa online through the US Embassy website.
After the US Government completes the selection process for H1B Visa applications, if your name is selected in the lottery, you will be granted an H1B Work Visa.
Period of Stay
Initially, the H1B Visa is issued for a duration of three years. It is possible to apply for an extension, but the total period of stay generally cannot exceed six years.
US H1B Visa Process 2023
The application process for the H1B Visa is not simple or straightforward; it requires time and effort from both the employer and the employee, involving several online application forms.
Here are the steps you need to follow before applying for the H1B Visa:
1. Find a job first.
2. Once you find a job opening in the United States, secure a petitioner for your application.
3. Have your employer initiate the petition on your behalf.
4. Apply for the H1B visa at the nearest US Embassy/Consulate in your home country.
H1B Petition Process
To hire a foreign worker, the employer must complete the following steps:
1. Obtain a Labor Condition Application (LCA).
2. File a petition with USCIS.
3. Fill in Form I-129.
4. Submit the forms and necessary documents.
5. Wait for USCIS review.
How to Apply for the US H1B Work Visa in 2023
The H1B application is filled out by the applicant, and the process involves the following steps:
1. Fill in Form DS-160.
2. Schedule an interview with the US Embassy in your country.
3. Pay the H1B visa fees.
4. Present the required documents at the Embassy.
To learn more about the H1B Visa, please visit the USCIS website.
US H1B Visa Requirements
To be eligible for the H1B Visa, the following requirements must be met:
1. You must have a valid job offer from a US employer.
2. You must possess a valid bachelor's degree or a master's degree qualification.
3. You must apply online and pay the Visa Application Fee.
4. Make an appointment for an interview at the US Embassy.
5. Wait for the Visa decision."