H1B Visa 1

The H-1B is a foreign worker visa in the United States that allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in so-called specialty occupations. The regulation and implementation of the visa program is carried out by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Although U.S. law does not specify what it considers "specialty occupations," they are defined as a category of specialized knowledge and eligible applicants must have at least a bachelor's degree or higher qualification, or the equivalent work experience.

The visa allows an initial three-year stay in the U.S., which may be extended to a maximum of six years. After this period, the visa holder must either leave the U.S. or reapply. The number of H-1B visas issued each fiscal year is capped at 65,000, with an additional 20,000 visas available for individuals who have earned a master's degree or higher from a U.S. institution. Sponsorship by an employer is required for applicants.