H-1B Work Visa
H-1B Visas are temporary employment visas for Professional Positions, which are subject to a numerical cap of 65,000 visas available per fiscal year. In addition, 20,000 visas are available for those with graduate degrees from U.S. universities. In addition, a separate cap of 6,800 for those citizens from Chile and Singapore.
To be eligible for H-1B status you must have:
(1) A minimum of a four-year university degree or equivalent;
(2) Be paid the positions “prevailing wage” based on the County and State issued by the Department of Labor of the State the position‘s duties will be performed; and
(3) The position must require a minimum of a four-year university degree or equivalent to perform.
The H-1B is valid in 3 year increments with no more than 6 years allowed. Applicants may apply in full time or part time positions (no less than 20 hours per week), but the applicant must be an employee of the petitioning company and cannot be a contract worker. The H-1B allows an applicant to hold multiple H-1Bs if the applicant will be employed by multiple employers. The H-1B holder can only be employed by a company that has petitioned and been issued a valid H-1B. Spouse and children of the H-1b applicant will be admitted as H-4 and are not eligible for work authorization.