What is H1B Visa?

The H1B is a non-immigrant visa category established by the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services). This visa option permits the U.S. companies and universities to temporarily employ foreign workers who have the equivalent to a US Bachelor's Degree. The following professionals are eligible to apply for H1B work visa.

IT / Computer professionals
University professors and teachers
Healthcare workers
Engineers
Accountants
Financial analysts
Lawyers
Architects
Scientists
Foreign Law advisors

Initially, H1B visa is issued for a period of 3 years at a time. It is extendable by another 3 years on renewal. Through H4 visa, H1B visa holder is allowed to bring their dependants during the validity of the visa. The foreign nationals employed under this visa category may file permanent positions ("USA Green Cards") in the United States, as long as they leave the United States at the end of their authorized periods of stay, including any extensions of stay. H1B visa is generally aside for foreign workers in "specialty occupations".

Specialty occupation refers to certain USA jobs that require theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge along with at least a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution. For example, engineering, architecture, medicine and health, business specialties, accounting, education, physical sciences, social sciences, mathematics, law, theology, and the arts may be considered to be specialty occupations.

Posted Friday, February 23, 2007 @ 11:26 PM