What is an H1B Visa? How to get it?

By Ergul Celiksoy, Immigration Attorney at CK Law Firm

What is an H1B Visa? The H1B visa is a work visa designed for professionals who want to work temporarily in the United States. It is a type of visa applied by individuals working in fields such as technology, engineering, finance and health. This visa makes it easier for US employers to hire talented employees.

The H-1B visa application is made with the support of an employer operating in the US. In other words, this visa is not open to individual application. The employer submits a petition to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of the applicant. Once approved, the applicant can enter the US with a work permit. If you want to pursue a career in the US, it is critical that you have detailed information about the H1B visa and create the right strategy. In this article, I will discuss the following topics about the H-1B visa:

• What is an H–1B Visa?
• How to Get an H-1B Visa?
• H-1B Visa Application Requirements and Dates
• H-1B Visa Prices: What are the Current Costs?
• H-1B Visa and Advantages of Working in the USA

If you have any other questions about the H1B visa, please feel free to contact me via the comments section at the bottom of this article, by sending me a message directly via Linkedln, or via the Webpage of CK Law Firm Immigration Law Firm, which I co-founded!

What is an H-1B Visa?

The H1B work permit is an immigration program that allows qualified individuals to work in the United States for specific periods of time. It is usually also intended for foreign professionals working in specialized sectors such as technology, healthcare, engineering and finance.

The H-1B visa makes it easier for US employers to hire qualified and skilled workers from abroad. The H1B work permit, which cannot be applied for without the sponsorship of an employer, is initially granted for 3 years and can be extended under certain conditions.

For foreigners aiming for a career in the US, H1B work authorization can help them take their work experience to a global level and create long-term residency opportunities. In addition, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in the relevant field or equivalent professional experience.

How to Get an H-1B Visa?

There are certain conditions for obtaining an H-1B visa. If you comply with these conditions, your application is more likely to be successful. The process proceeds in two different ways for the employer and the employee. First of all, what the employer must do:

• Employer Sponsorship: The first step of the application is for an American employer to sponsor you. The employer applies to USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) with documents proving the requirements of the position and your qualifications.
• Labor Condition Application (LCA): The employer must submit the LCA to the U.S. Department of Labor, along with documentation confirming that you are a suitable candidate for the job conditions and that the workplace is available.
• Petition for Foreign Employee (Form I-129): The employer files an H1B petition on your behalf. This petition is necessary to prove that the employer needs a foreign worker for the position.

Different procedures are applied for those who want to become employees. The process here proceeds as follows:

• Educational Qualifications: You must provide proof of licensure that proves you are skilled and qualified for the position offered.
• Job Offer: You must have a valid job offer from a US employer for a specialized occupation.
• Work Experience: You should prepare documents to prove your experience that you are competent enough in your profession.

After USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) reviews the application and approves the petition, you move on to the other stages of the process. The consular interview is an important part of the H-1B visa process. In this interview, your documents supporting your work permit are examined and if found appropriate, your visa is approved. Apart from this, if you have any questions about how to get an H-1B visa, you can contact us via our CK Law Firm Immigration Law Firm’s Web Page.

H-1B Visa Application Requirements and Dates

H-1B visa requirements include educational level, professional specialization and employer support. The applicant must have at least a bachelor’s degree and the position requires special expertise. The employer must prove that the position applied for cannot be filled in the pool of employees in the US. Salary and working conditions must also be in line with industry standards.

US H-1B visa application deadlines usually start in April each year and continue until the quota set by USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) is filled. The annual quota is usually limited to 85,000 people and therefore applications are completed within a few days. If the number of registrations exceeds the limit due to high demand, people can be randomly selected through a lottery system.

H-1B Visa Prices: What are the Current Costs?

H-1B visa prices are an intriguing cost for both the applicant and the employer. As of 2024, I can say that the application fee has changed for both the employee and the employer. At this point, with the fees changing every year, you need to follow the amount you plan for your application correctly.

For example, for H-1B visa prices, the amount that the employee has to pay in 2023 is $10, while in 2024 this amount is $215. While the amount that the employer has to pay was $2,500 in 2023; this payment increased to $2,805 in 2024. In this case, the total payment for H-1B visa in 2024 is $3,020.

H-1B Visa and Advantages of Working in the USA

The H-1B visa offers many advantages to international workers. First of all, these visa holders can work legally in the US for 3 years. In addition, those who work under certain conditions have the opportunity to extend this period if they wish. At the same time, the family of the visa holder can accompany him/her by obtaining an H-4 visa. H-4 visa holders can study in the US and in some cases, they can also obtain a work permit.

The H-1B visa provides a strong foundation to realize your career goals. Working in the US is a unique opportunity for those who want to gain international experience and expand their future career opportunities.

If you are planning to apply for an H-1B visa, you can contact us about the process. If you have any questions, please do not forget that you can contact me via the comments section at the bottom of this article, by sending me a message directly on Linkedln or via the website of CK Law Firm Immigration Lawyer, which I co-founded!