H1 Visa

The H-1B visa is an employment-based non-immigrant visa for an alien coming temporarily to the U.S. to perform services in a specialty occupation. A specialty occupation is one, which requires the theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge to perform the occupation. Find out all you want and need to know at myaliflaila.com.

The employee must be a professional or otherwise possess highly specialized theoretical and practical knowledge for the position offered. This individual must have the equivalent to a bachelor's degree or higher pertaining to the position sought. The position must also require a bachelor's degree or higher and must be a professional level position.

The H-1B visa may be extended for a maximum period of six aggregate years. H-1B visas are "job-site specific", meaning that each H-1B is "specific" to one particular job description, time frame, location, department and institution. If any of these change, a new or amended H-1B petition must be filed. Departments wishing to employ international faculty and researchers under the provisions of an H-1B visa should allow a minimum of 3-4 months for processing an application. This may vary depending upon the current visa status of a prospective employee, i.e. J-1 or J-2 status. In this case a considerable amount of time may be necessary, therefore contacting ISS as soon as possible is advised.

Steps in Obtaining an H-1B

Upon receipt of the I-797 approval notice ISS will contact the department liaison. Copies of the I-797 as well as the certified LCA will be provided to the departments. The H-1B beneficiary is asked to come to the ISS to pick-up the original I-94 card and to discuss such matters as traveling and obtaining an H-1B visa stamp. The department business office will need to see a copy of this notice to extend or begin the employment of the beneficiary.