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H-1B — Specialty Occupation Worker

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

2 weeks – 9 months

Varies by processing route

Estimated Cost

$102,680–$107,015 USD

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

3 to 6 years

3 yr initial · extendable to 6 · Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information Browse H-1B Jobs

Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$51,000

Quality of Life

186/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Employer-sponsored US work visa for specialty-occupation professionals requiring a bachelor's degree; 85,000 annual cap, 3+3 years stay with dual intent.

The H-1B is a US specialty-occupation visa administered by USCIS for foreign professionals in roles requiring at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field. The employer must obtain a certified Labor Condition Application from DOL and pay at least the prevailing wage. Annual cap is 85,000 (65,000 general + 20,000 US master's) selected by lottery; cap-exempt employers face no limit.

Initial stay is 3 years, extendable to 6 - with longer extensions if a green card petition is pending. Standard I-129 filing fee is $780 ($460 for small employers/nonprofits), with optional $2,965 premium processing for a 15-business-day decision. Standard adjudication runs 5-8+ months. H-1B allows dual intent and a green-card pathway; spouses join on H-4 and may work with an approved I-140.

This visa is ideal for foreign professionals with a US specialty job offer in tech, engineering, or medicine seeking a renewable work pathway toward permanent residence.

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Cost Breakdown

H-1B Registration Fee$215 USD

Base Filing Fee (Standard)$780 USD

Base Filing Fee (Small Employer/Nonprofit)$460 USD

Anti-Fraud Fee$500 USD

ACWIA Training Fee (Standard)$1,500 USD

ACWIA Training Fee (Small Employer)$750 USD

Asylum Program Fee (Standard)$600 USD

Asylum Program Fee (Small Employer)$300 USD

Premium Processing Fee$2,965 USD

optional

Presidential Proclamation Surcharge (H-1B Entry Fee)$100,000 USD

Visa Integrity Fee$250 USD

DS-160 Visa Application Fee (MRV Fee)$205 USD

Total$102,680–$107,015 USD

Processing Time

Premium Processing	2 weeks
Standard Processing	5–9 months

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant	3 years
Extendable up to	6 years

Annual Cap & Quota

85,000 per fiscal year (65,000 general cap + 20,000 U.S. master's degree exemption); cap-exempt positions unlimited

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

EB-1 — Employment First Preference - Priority Worker

United States

EB-1 — Employment First Preference - Priority Worker

ValidityIndefinite

Processing1–3 years

View Visa Details

EB-2 — Employment Second Preference - Advanced Degree

United States

EB-2 — Employment Second Preference - Advanced Degree

ValidityIndefinite

Processing1.5–10 years

View Visa Details

EB-3 — Employment Third Preference - Skilled Worker/Professional

United States

EB-3 — Employment Third Preference - Skilled Worker/Professional

ValidityIndefinite

Processing3.5–12 years

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Position must qualify as a specialty occupation requiring highly specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent in the specific specialty.

Beneficiary must hold a relevant U.S. bachelor's or higher degree, a foreign equivalent degree, or possess a state license/certification/experience equivalent to the required degree.

Employer must pay at least the local prevailing wage or the wage paid to similarly qualified workers, whichever is higher.

Employer must file a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor.

Beneficiary must be selected in the H-1B cap lottery if the petition is subject to the annual numerical limit.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Approved Labor Condition Application (LCA)

Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker

Evidence of specialty occupation qualification

Evidence of beneficiary's educational credentials or equivalent experience

Form I-797, Notice of Action (if applicable)

Valid passport

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Direct path to permanent residence via employer green card sponsorship.
Dual intent - applying for a green card does not jeopardize H-1B status.
Initial 3-year stay extendable to 6 years, with further extensions if PERM/I-140 is pending.
Portability - change employers under AC21 once a new petition is properly filed.
Spouses on H-4 may obtain work authorization once H-1B holder has approved I-140.
Optional 15-business-day premium processing available for $2,965.
Cap-exempt slots at universities, nonprofit research, and government research orgs are unlimited.

Worth Knowing

Subject to annual lottery cap of 85,000 (65,000 general + 20,000 US master's).
Employer-specific - new petition required for each change of employer.
Employer must obtain certified LCA from DOL and pay prevailing wage.
Standard processing takes 5-8+ months without premium processing.
ACWIA, Anti-Fraud, and Asylum Program fees add $1,300-$2,600+ on top of base filing fee.
Position must qualify as a specialty occupation requiring a bachelor's or higher in a specific field.
Beneficiary must be selected in the H-1B cap lottery unless filing through a cap-exempt employer.
J-1 two-year home residency requirement (if applicable) must be satisfied or waived first.

Application Process

Employer submits electronic registration for each beneficiary during the designated annual registration period.

If selected in the H-1B lottery, employer files the Form I-129 petition with USCIS.

Employer obtains an approved Labor Condition Application (LCA) from the Department of Labor.

Upon petition approval, beneficiaries outside the U.S. apply for an H-1B visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Beneficiary applies for admission to the U.S. with Customs and Border Protection.

Application Forms

Go to application portal

I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker	Fill online
ETA-9035 Labor Condition Application for Nonimmigrant Workers	Fill online
DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application	Fill online
I-907Optional Request for Premium Processing Service (optional)	Fill online

Verified Claims (42)

Last verified Jul 2, 2026

Annual Allocation

85,000 per fiscal year (65,000 general cap + 20,000 U.S. master's degree exemption); cap-exempt posi…

uscis.gov

Application Steps

Employer submits electronic registration for each beneficiary during the designated annual registrat…

uscis.gov

Blockers

Position must qualify as a specialty occupation requiring a bachelor's or higher in a specific field…

uscis.gov

Can Convert To

us-eb-1; us-eb-2; us-eb-3

uscis.gov

Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$51,000

Quality of Life

186/200

Full Country Guide

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Overview

Employer-sponsored US work visa for specialty-occupation professionals requiring a bachelor's degree; 85,000 annual cap, 3+3 years stay with dual intent.

This visa is ideal for foreign professionals with a US specialty job offer in tech, engineering, or medicine seeking a renewable work pathway toward permanent residence.

Cost Breakdown

H-1B Registration Fee$215 USD

Base Filing Fee (Standard)$780 USD

Base Filing Fee (Small Employer/Nonprofit)$460 USD

Anti-Fraud Fee$500 USD

ACWIA Training Fee (Standard)$1,500 USD

ACWIA Training Fee (Small Employer)$750 USD

Asylum Program Fee (Standard)$600 USD

Asylum Program Fee (Small Employer)$300 USD

Premium Processing Fee$2,965 USD

optional

Presidential Proclamation Surcharge (H-1B Entry Fee)$100,000 USD

Visa Integrity Fee$250 USD

DS-160 Visa Application Fee (MRV Fee)$205 USD

Total$102,680–$107,015 USD

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Position must qualify as a specialty occupation requiring highly specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent in the specific specialty.

Beneficiary must hold a relevant U.S. bachelor's or higher degree, a foreign equivalent degree, or possess a state license/certification/experience equivalent to the required degree.

Employer must pay at least the local prevailing wage or the wage paid to similarly qualified workers, whichever is higher.

Employer must file a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor.

Beneficiary must be selected in the H-1B cap lottery if the petition is subject to the annual numerical limit.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Approved Labor Condition Application (LCA)

Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker

Evidence of specialty occupation qualification

Evidence of beneficiary's educational credentials or equivalent experience

Form I-797, Notice of Action (if applicable)

Valid passport

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Direct path to permanent residence via employer green card sponsorship.
Dual intent - applying for a green card does not jeopardize H-1B status.
Initial 3-year stay extendable to 6 years, with further extensions if PERM/I-140 is pending.
Portability - change employers under AC21 once a new petition is properly filed.
Spouses on H-4 may obtain work authorization once H-1B holder has approved I-140.
Optional 15-business-day premium processing available for $2,965.
Cap-exempt slots at universities, nonprofit research, and government research orgs are unlimited.

Worth Knowing

Subject to annual lottery cap of 85,000 (65,000 general + 20,000 US master's).
Employer-specific - new petition required for each change of employer.
Employer must obtain certified LCA from DOL and pay prevailing wage.
Standard processing takes 5-8+ months without premium processing.
ACWIA, Anti-Fraud, and Asylum Program fees add $1,300-$2,600+ on top of base filing fee.
Position must qualify as a specialty occupation requiring a bachelor's or higher in a specific field.
Beneficiary must be selected in the H-1B cap lottery unless filing through a cap-exempt employer.
J-1 two-year home residency requirement (if applicable) must be satisfied or waived first.

Application Process