H1B Visa: Everything Indians Need to Know

Have you wondered why American companies would want so many Indian employees? Is it because of cheap labor? NO.

The visa procedure already makes it an expensive deal for an American employer to hire an Indian employee. The answer is that America does not have enough qualified experts to fill the position. And as for Indians, an opportunity to work and settle in America is a dream for many. A poll suggests more than 10 million Indians would like to move to the US permanently.

For decades, job seekers in India have been chasing this dream, not just for the sake of bagging dollars but in search of affluence and a better lifestyle.

So, our focus today is on the non-immigration American visa, often called the famous H-1B visa. From understanding its criteria to the application process, here we will unpack everything you need to know about the visa process and tips to make it through its lottery petition. But before that, let's begin with understanding the H-1B visa.

What is an H1B visa?

An H1B visa is a non-migrant work visa issued by U.S. administrators. This allows American employers to hire foreign workers with specific technical skills to work in the United States for a limited period (usually 3 years).?

To apply for this visa, you will need professional expertise and knowledge in technology, finance, architecture, engineering, and more.?

Thanks to its hyped-up demand, this visa is considered one of the most competitive work visas in the world, and as of this year, only 85,000 visas have been opened for registration.

Eligibility Criteria for an H1B Visa

• You must have a bachelor's or master's degree from a prominent college or university in America.
• ?However, if you don't have a degree from an American university, you can apply for a foreign degree equivalent to the US's bachelorette degree.
• You must possess 12 years of work experience in the field in which you want to work, and your job must be considered a specialty occupation in the United States by the Department of Labor.

How to obtain an H1B visa

Every year, thousands of Indians eagerly apply for the H1B visa, seeking better opportunities. And though Indian-born employees receive a significant share of 58.7% of the annual visa limit, an awful lot of applicants are left in a state of despair.?

However, there are two ways for an applicant to get an H1B visa:?

H1B cap petition

This is the regular process, and it is done by the employer who wants to hire you. However, since the number of petitions is way higher than the actuarial cap, the US government has developed a lottery system to randomly select applicants from a large pool. Here is how it works:

Lottery registration

It begins with the lottery registration with USCIS , which usually starts on March 1 and goes up to 15–20 days. During this time, companies register the candidate they want to hire under an H1B visa. Once the registration period is closed, USCIS will run a random selection process, the results of which will be submitted by April 1.

Lottery Petition

Let's say fortune smiles upon you, and your name gets selected in the lottery; then your employer will have to file a complete H1B petition under the usual process, including the Labor Condition Application (LCA), fees, and documentation regarding the H1B job offer for the selected applicant.

Pro-tips

• Always choose an employer with a strong track record with H1B sponsorship.
• Keep your document error-free during the petition period.
• Seek expert advice from an immigration attorney.

Remember that this year, the annual limit for H1B visas has been set at 85,000, but 20,000 are kept exempt for advanced degree holders from US universities.

H1B cap exempt

As the name suggests, this visa form allows certain employers to be exempt from the annual cap set by the US government. Under this exemption, visa petitioners can file for a visa anytime during the year. There are three main categories of H1B cap-exempt employers:

1. Non-profit organisation
2. Non-profit research organization
3. Institutions of higher education

In simple terms, though you have to submit all the documents and possess the required qualifications, if you are hired by employers affiliated with any of the above-listed categories, you don't have to go through the hassle of a regular H1B visa cap.

Validity of the H1B visa

If you are lucky enough to get the visa, then it will be valid for 3 years, which can be extended to 6 years. However, once the validity is over, you can either leave the country or apply for a new visa.

And there you have it - a comprehensive guide to the H1B visa. We hope this edition has enlightened you with valuable insights into the application process and the opportunities this visa presents.

If you are looking for enhanced career prospects, consider applying through Pitch N Hire's job portal, where you can discover jobs that perfectly align with your skills and aspirations. Until next time, keep following for more guidance, insightful tips, and job opportunities to propel your career forward.