The H-1B specialty occupation visa.
The H-1B lets U.S. employers hire professionals for roles that require a bachelor’s degree or higher in a specific field. It is the most common work visa for skilled professionals, and most new petitions go through an annual lottery.
- Visa type
- Temporary work visa
- Initial stay
- Up to 3 years
- Maximum stay
- 6 years, with some extensions
- Lottery
- Registration each March
About the H-1B.
The H-1B is a temporary work visa for jobs in a “specialty occupation”: roles where a bachelor’s degree or higher in a specific field is the normal requirement. Your employer files the petition on your behalf, and the visa is tied to that employer.
The number of new H-1B visas is capped each year at 65,000, plus 20,000 more for people with a U.S. master’s degree or higher. When registrations exceed the cap, USCIS runs a selection. Some employers, such as universities and nonprofit research organizations, are exempt from the cap and can file at any time of year.
The H-1B is a “dual intent” visa: you can hold it while pursuing a green card, which is one reason many professionals choose it as their path to long-term residence.
Commonly used by
- Software engineers
- Data scientists
- Financial analysts
- Physicians and researchers
- Architects and engineers
Who may qualify for the H-1B.
Both the job and the worker have to meet the requirements. These are the core criteria USCIS looks at.
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A job offer from a U.S. employer
The employer files the petition and must pay at least the prevailing wage for the role and location.
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A specialty occupation
The role must normally require a bachelor’s degree or higher in a specific field, such as computer science, engineering, or finance.
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A matching degree or equivalent
You need a U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field, a foreign equivalent, or work experience that evaluates as equivalent (often three years of experience for each year of study).
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A license, if the role requires one
Some occupations, such as medicine, require a state license to practice before you can start work.
This is general information, not legal advice. Only a licensed attorney can assess whether you qualify. The free check shows whether the H-1B may be worth exploring for you.
Start for freeH-1B costs and processing times.
Government fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Lottery registration Paid by the employer | $215 |
| Form I-129 filing fee Lower fee for small employers and nonprofits | $460 to $780 |
| Asylum Program fee Depends on employer size and type | $0 to $600 |
| ACWIA training fee Depends on employer size | $750 to $1,500 |
| Fraud prevention and detection fee New petitions and changes of employer | $500 |
| Premium processing (optional) Speeds up the USCIS decision | $2,805 |
| Proclamation payment Certain new petitions for workers outside the U.S., filed after September 21, 2025 | $100,000 |
Processing times
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Registration and selection Results by March 31 | March |
| Petition filing window | 90 days from April 1 |
| Standard processing | 2 to 6 months |
| Premium processing | 15 business days |
| Earliest start date | October 1 |
Government fees come from the USCIS fee schedule. Most are paid by the employer by law. Attorney fees are set by each independent attorney and are separate. Processing times vary by service center and change often. Figures last reviewed October 2026.
How the H-1B application works.
- 01
Your employer registers you for the lottery
MarchYour employer submits an electronic registration with basic details about you and the job.
- 02
USCIS runs the selection
By March 31If you’re selected, your employer is notified and can file a full petition. If not, cap-exempt employers and other visa paths are still worth exploring.
- 03
The employer files a Labor Condition Application
About 7 business daysThe employer confirms the wage and working conditions with the Department of Labor before filing the petition.
- 04
The employer files Form I-129
From April 1The petition includes the job description, your degree and work evidence, and the certified LCA.
- 05
USCIS decides the petition
2 to 6 monthsUSCIS approves the petition, denies it, or issues a Request for Evidence (RFE) asking for more documents.
- 06
Visa stamp or change of status
Before October 1If you’re outside the U.S., you attend a consular interview for the visa stamp. If you’re already here in another status, it can change on the start date.
H-1B questions.
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No. A U.S. employer has to register you for the lottery and file the petition. You can prepare by keeping your degree, transcripts, and work history ready.
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You can be registered again the following year. In the meantime, cap-exempt employers (such as universities and nonprofit research organizations) can file at any time, and other visa paths like the O-1 may apply to your situation.
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Yes. A new employer files a new petition for you. In many cases you can start working for the new employer once that petition is filed.
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Yes. The H-1B allows dual intent, so you can pursue permanent residence while you hold it. A pending green card case can also allow H-1B extensions beyond six years.
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By law, the employer pays most H-1B petition fees, including the ACWIA and fraud prevention fees. Premium processing can be paid by either party when it’s for the worker’s benefit.
Can I apply for an H-1B myself?
What happens if I’m not selected in the lottery?
Can I change employers on an H-1B?
Can I apply for a green card while on an H-1B?
Who pays the H-1B fees?
Other paths people explore.
See whether this visa may apply to you.
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