What is H 1 visa in USA?
Christopher Davis
Updated on March 21, 2026
The H-1B is a temporary (nonimmigrant) visa category that allows employers to petition for highly educated foreign professionals to work in “specialty occupations” that require at least a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent.
What is H1 visa requirements in USA?
Hold a U.S. bachelor’s or higher degree required by the specialty occupation from an accredited college or university. Hold a foreign degree that is the equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s or higher degree required by the specialty occupation from an accredited college or university.
Is H1 a non-immigrant visa?
The H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa designed to allow U.S. employers to recruit & employ foreign professionals in specialty occupations within the U.S.A. for a specified period of time. The petitioner must file an H-1B petition for hiring the employee, while the foreign worker is the beneficiary.
What is visa category for H-1B?
H-1B (specialty occupation) An H-1B visa is required if you are coming to the United States to perform services in a pre-arranged professional job. To qualify, you must hold a bachelor’s or higher degree (or an equivalent degree) in the specific specialty for which you seek employment.
What are the requirements for a H-1 visa?
The H-1 visa comes with a number of specific requirements. You will need to meet all of these requirements if you wish to qualify for a U.S. H-1B work visa. Form I-129 is a petition form filed by your future employer on behalf of you. Your employer files form I-129 to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
How does the H-1B visa program work?
The H-1B visa program lets employers hire foreign workers for specific needs that cannot be met by American workers. The visa is tied to the employer who sponsors it — if the visa holder quits or loses their job, they must leave the country or petition for another temporary work visa.
How long can a H1 visa stay in the US?
The H1 visa is a work permit visa that lets foreign nationals with special skills and education work in the United States. H1 visas can last for up to 6 years. 9 min read 1. What Is the H1 Visa? 2. How Do You Get an H1B Visa? 3. What Can You Do With an H1B Visa? 4. What Limits the H1B Visa? 5. Frequently Asked Questions 6.
When to apply for an H1B visa extension?
The H1B extension processing time is around three months, so you should plan ahead. USCIS allows you and your employer to apply for extension six months before your H1B visa expires. If the H1B visa has expired, you are allowed to work for another 240 days or until your H1B extension is approved or declined.