Why Work in the US as a Specialty Worker?
- Choose US H1B Visa to work in the USA.
- Bachelor’s in IT, Finance, Architecture, Medicine, and Science are eligible.
- Earn in USD (5 times more than your current salary).
- Direct path to get a Green card.
- Settle in the USA along with your family.
The US H1B Visa is one of the most popular ways to work in the US. It is a visa that must be applied for by an employer on behalf of a specialist employee. Since the visa is granted to specialists, typically applicants hold at least a Bachelor’s degree and are from fields such as IT, finance, architecture, medicine, science etc. Y-Axis helps employers with filing for H1B petitions for their employees. We also help employees from across the world get hired by companies likely to sponsor them for an H1B visa.
The H1B Visa is one of the most competitive visas to apply for. Due to there being an annual visa cap, there is a huge demand from US employers applying for this visa. Additionally, since it is a route to a Green Card, it is one of the best visas to apply to work in the US.
Under the H1B, successful petitioners can:
- Live and work in the US
- Extend the stay in the US
- Change employers during H-1B status
- Stay with their dependent spouse & children (aged under 21) in the US
Validity of the Visa
- Visa has a validity of three years with the option to extend it up to a maximum of six years.
- Once the validity is over, a foreign worker must either leave the U.S. or obtain a different visa.
- If he does not comply, he can lose his legal status and can even be deported.
Documents Required:
The H1B is a point based visa system and you need a minimum of 12 points for your application to be assessed. You must have:
- A Bachelors or Masters degree from the US (or an equivalent in your country)
- Or 12 years work experience
- Or a mix of education and work experience
You are awarded points as follows:
- 3 points for every 1 year of college studies
- 1 point for every 1 year of work experience
Once you score a minimum of 12 points, your H1B petition can then be prepared.
H1B visa cost:
Standard H1B Filing Fee is currently – $460.The standard H1B filing fee is for the 1-129 petition.
H1B visa base filing fee is set to increase by 21% from $460 USD to $555. The proposed fee increase will be effective from October 2nd, 2020.
The fee can either be paid electronically as a bank transfer or in cash at a specified bank that has branches across India. Next, create a profile on the US Visa Service website and select the scheduled appointment option to ensure the correct amount is paid and the appointment is scheduled in a timely manner.
On the payment confirmation screen, you will be presented with payment options and further details of how to initiate payment. The fee is good for a year from the date of payment. You must take an appointment within one year for your visa interview.
H4 Visa:
An H4 visa is a non-immigrant dependent visa. The visa does not grant you permanent residency, but it gives you the right to live, study, and work in the US.
Who is eligible?
- Spouse of the H type visa holder
- Children under the age of 21 whose parent is an H visa holder
The validity of the H4 visa
The validity of the visa is dependent on the visa of the sponsor who is also called the principal applicant.
The visa is usually sponsored by the spouse or parent having the H type visa. The H4 visa becomes invalid when the visa of the sponsor expires.
Privileges of the H4 visa
- You can get a driver’s license
- You have opportunities to study in the US
- You qualify for financial services, such as banking and an H4 visa loan
Work permission for the H4 visa holder
- The holder of the H4 visa may work part-time, full-time or not at all.
- The H4 visa holder is permitted to start any form of business.
- The holder of the H4 visa may continue to be eligible for EAD even if he does not seek employment.
Documents required for application
- US visa interview appointment letter
- A valid passport
- Copy of the primary visa holder’s passport
- Photograph of the primary visa holder and applicant together
- Passport-sized photograph of the applicant
- Confirmation page of the online DS-160 form
- Visa fees receipt from the relevant bank
- A copy of the primary visa holder’s form I-797
- A letter from the primary visa holder’s employer stating the nature of the relationship between the primary visa holder and employer
- Pay stubs from the primary visa holder’s current place of work
- Original marriage certificate
- Original birth certificates of children
L-1A Visa:
The L-1A Visa is a US-issued non-immigrant visa. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issues this visa for foreign directors or managers being transferred to U.S. offices of their company. International businesses that do not have associated offices in the U.S. may also use an L-1A visa to send a manager or executive to create one there.
The L-1A visa is one of two categories of work visas in the L-1 visa category. Its equivalent, the L-1B visa is for staff with advanced skills who choose to migrate to the U.S. for a five-year period. Upon expiry, the applicant may again apply for the L-1 visa holder status only after working for the parent, subsidiary, branch or affiliate of the organization for at least one year outside the U.S.
L1 Visa Requirements:
There are two main requirements for an L1 visa: employer requirements and employee requirements.
Employer Requirements:
A qualifying relationship must be formed between the employer within the US and its international branch/subsidiary/affiliate that employs the applicant. This indicates that the two organizations are in some way tied by their ownership or association with each other.
Furthermore, the employer needs to be doing business in the US and at least one other country during the visa holder’s stay in the US.
Employee Requirements:
With an L1 visa, the applicant must have been working for the international employer for at least one year in the preceding three years before they were admitted to the U.S.
This employment must have been in an administrative, corporate, or technical area of expertise and their prospective jobs in the U.S. must be within the same fields.
L1A Visa to Green Card
An L1A visa applicant has a relatively straightforward way of acquiring a green card since it falls under an EB-1C Green Card. This does not require a PERM Labor Certificate, cutting off the processing time by up to 8 months.
The employer just needs to file an I-140 petition to qualify for the green card. If the applicant has been accepted, he files for a status adjustment (Form I-485).
L2 Visa:
L2 visas are also known as L1 dependent visas. The L2 visa is granted to the spouses and dependents of L1 visa holders. An L2 visa is a non-immigrant visa.
L1 dependents include:
Spouses of visa holders
Dependent children under the age of 21
L2 visa holders can:
- Live in the U.S. temporarily
- Study full-time or attend college in the U.S.
- Apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to work in the U.S.
- Change your visa status to another non-immigrant visa like F1, B1/B2, H1, and L1, and
- Travel in and out of the US on brief international trips
Documents required for L2 visa application:
- A completed Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application.
- Valid passport
- Passport photo
- Original marriage certificate
- Original birth certificates for each dependent child
- Written approval of the employer of the primary L1 visa holder
- Employment verification letter from the L1 visa holder’s employer
- L1 holder’s Form I-797
- Visa application fee
- Visas issuance fee
R1 Visa:
An R1 visa is for those who want to work in the United States as religious workers. It is a short-term visa.
Eligibility Conditions
First of all, you will have to work at a part-time job in the US, meaning that you’ll spend at least 20 hours a week at work.
At the same time, you need to get a job that has to do with your religion. To put it another way, you have to either work in a religious position or be a minister there. This means you ‘re not going to be suited to R1 Visas if your work is anything other than religious.
You are also entitled if you have a bona fide religious charitable organization and you were a member of the religious community before applying for a visa and you spent at least two years in that role before applying for an R1 visa.
You can also be a worker for an employer who also has a religious non-profit organization in the US.
You are not eligible if you are not going to work in a religious group or a church or is not going to do anything related to their activities. These visas are particularly for religious workers who have a job in the area, and no one else.
Being a volunteer also won’t bring an R1 Visa. You have to be a paid worker-otherwise you can’t apply.
Documents Required
- A Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) Form
- A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay.
- Passport photo taken in the last six months.
R2 Visa:
The R2 visa is a temporary US visa that authorizes an R1 visa holder’s spouse and unmarried child (under 21 years) to enter the US. The holders of R2 status may remain in the country for as long as the holders of R1 remain in legal status. In other words, once the principal R-1 person loses legal status, an individual loses his / her R-2 status.
R2 visa holders can:
- Take part in a full-time study course in the US
- Travel freely in and out of the US during the validity of the visa
- Apply for permanent residency status
However, the R2 visa holder cannot work in the US.
Documents Required
- All documents required for an R-1 visa.
- Original birth certificate for each child
- Marriage registration certificate
- Copy of spouse’s passport
- Proof of financial support
- Copy of the contract between the employer and the R1 religious worker
How to Get H1B Visa from India
Here are the steps to apply for H1B visa
Step 1
Determine your visa type by reading Common Nonimmigrant Visas. Each visa type explains the qualifications and application items. Choose the visa type that applies to your situation.
Step 2
The next step is to complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form.Be sure to read theGuidelines for Completing the DS-160 Formcarefully. All information must be correct and accurate. Once the form is submitted, you cannot make any changes.
Step 3
Once you have completed the DS-160, you must pay the visa fee.
Step 4
You will need to log into your profile with the same credentials you used to pay your visa fee. On the website, you must schedule two appointments, one for the Visa Application Center (VAC) and one for the visa interview at the Embassy or Consulate.
Step 5
Ensure you take the required documents with you for the Visa Application Centre (VAC) appointment.
Step 6
After your visit to the Visa Application Centre to have your photo and fingerprints taken, you will then visit the U.S Embassy or Consulate on the date and time of your visa interview along with the required documents.
H1B Visa sponsorship
An employer can accept a non-immigrant by hiring them for an H-1B visa to work in the United States. The worker must have at least a bachelor’s degree (or the equivalent in their country) and the position they are applying for must involve the use of specialist skills. Positions can be found in specialist fields such as architecture, law, finance, medicine, etc.
US latest immigration news
January 9, 2024
Elon Musk in favor of increasing H-1B visa caps
Elon Musk suggested increasing the H1-B visa caps and an employment document enabling foreign workers to travel to the US. He said, “Skilled workers should enter the US legally, and illegal migration has to be stopped”.
Read more…
December 23, 2024
Indians waiting for Green Cards can check their status in advance.
The US has released the Visa Bulletin of January 2024, and the Bulletin consists of both the Dates of filling the application and the Final dates of action. Check your Green card status now. The Green card status depends on your specific visa category and the country you are applying from.
Read more…
Indians waiting for Green Cards can check their status in advance.
Dec 11, 2023
USCIS increases the visa fee across various immigration streams
USCIS has made new changes to the visa fee by increasing the fee across various immigration processes and streams. The changes have been made for the H1-B visa, L visa, EB-5 investor, Employment authorization, and citizenship. The H-1B visa fee may see a significant hike of 2000%, and petition fee for H-1B visa application by 70%.
Read More
U.S. to increase H1-B visa fees by 2000%
Oct 13, 2023
H-2B visa cap met for early 2024 by USCIS
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has already reached its limit for H-2B visa applications for temporary non-farming jobs for the first half of fiscal year 2024. As of October 11, 2023, they are no longer accepting applications for positions starting before April 1, 2024. Any H-2B applications for this period submitted after the aforementioned date will not be considered.
Sep 28, 2023
USCIS Awards $22 Million in FY 2023 Citizenship and Integration Grants
Today, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) granted more than $22 million to 65 entities across 29 states. These funds are intended to assist lawful permanent residents (LPRs) in their journey towards naturalization.
Sep 27, 2023
USCIS Increases Employment Authorization Document Validity Period for Certain Categories
USCIS has revised its Policy Manual, extending the maximum validity duration for initial and subsequent Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) to 5 years. This applies to specific noncitizens whose employment permission is tied to their status or situation, including individuals admitted or paroled as refugees, those granted asylum, and individuals who have received withholding of removal.
Sep 25, 2023
USCIS Exempts Biometric Services Fee for all Form I-539 Applicants
Today, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) declared that the biometric services fee for Form I-539, used for extending or changing nonimmigrant status, will be waived. Starting October 1, applicants won’t have to pay the $85 fee for biometric services when submitting Form I-539. Applications dated October 1 or thereafter will be free from this charge.
Aug 19, 2023
DHS Issues Proposed Rule to Modernize H-2 Temporary Visa Programs and Strengthen Worker Protections
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initiated measures to enhance safeguards for workers under the H-2A agricultural and H-2B non-agricultural temporary worker schemes (referred to as H-2 programs). In a recently released notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), DHS aims to update and elevate the H-2 programs by offering more flexibility to workers and streamlining the system. This update also emphasizes safeguarding workers from potential misconduct by employers and introduces whistleblower protections.
Aug 05, 2023
USCIS Updates Receipts Process for Form I-129S
When submitting both Form I-129S, rooted in the Blanket L Petition, and Form I-129 for Nonimmigrant Workers, petitioners can expect two separate notifications: a confirmation of receipt and, if successful, an approval notice. The previous practice of getting a stamped and signed Form I-129S and the Form I-129’s approval will no longer occur. Instead, an independent approval notice for Form I-129S will be issued, acting as the official endorsem*nt.
July 31, 2023
The second round of lottery for US H-1B is likely to be held by August 2, 2023
USCIS earlier announced to conduct the second round of the US H-1B visa lottery for the FY 2024. Following the announcement, the lottery is expected to be held by August 2nd, 2023. Around 20,000 to 25,000 H-1B petitions will likely be selected via the lottery.
July 28, 2023
US to hold second round of H-1B visa lottery of FY-2024. Apply now!
US announced to conduct the second round of H-1B visa lottery selection for Fiscal Year 2024. The initial round of Lottery was held in March 2023 on accurately submitted Electronic registrations for FY 2024. USCIS received 7, 58,994 eligible registrations for the FY 2024 H-1B cap, out of which 1, 10,791 were selected.
Read More…
US to hold second round of H-1B visa lottery of FY-2024. Apply now!
July 24, 2023
The US plas to H-1B visa intake is to double as per the new bill
Indian- Origin Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi passed a bill to double the H-1B annual intake. The current yearly intake of H-1B visas to said to be 65,000, while the latest bill proposes a total intake of 1, 30,000. Approximately 85,000 workers are hired by the U.S. via the H-1B intake, of which 20,000 are international students and 65,000 are foreign workers.
July 04, 2023
‘H-1B & L-Visa restamping in the U.S.’ under a new pilot program: Indian-American Techie
The United States launched a pilot program for temporary work visa renewals domestically. The announcement came as a relief to all the Indian H-1B visa holders in the U.S. The pilot program is set to launch later this year. Eventually, the program will also include other visa categories.
The massive pool of Indian American working-class professionals in the U.S. applauded the announcement.
Read more….
June 19, 2023
U.S. Work Visas and Permanent Residency after Graduation for International Students
Foreign students studying in the United States hope to work in the country after graduation. Understanding the work visa and permanent residency options can be very helpful. This article breaks down the options for undergraduate and graduate-level students.
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June 06, 2023
USCIS issued 442,043 H1b visas in FY 2022. Check your chances of an H1b visa now!
In FY-2022, most of the H-1B applications were majorly for initial and continuing employment.Out of which 132,429 applications were for initial employment. The initial employment applications that were approved include both new and concurrent employment.
Read more…
May 12, 2023
New Act to Lift the country quota for U.S. Green Card
A new Act was introduced to eliminate the country quota for US Green cards. Candidates with STEM advanced degree from the US universities get eligibility to stay and access green cards. A Green Card, formally referred to as a Permanent Resident Card, is an official document given to immigrants in the United States to confirm that they have been granted the right to reside in the country permanently.
Read more…
May 8, 2023
Cost comparison and ROI of 25 best universities in the USA
Millions of students across the globe forage for the top best-ranking universities in the USA. Students and their families jot down the checklist of colleges based on the university rankings and other important factors. Federal Financial Aid is one of the most accommodative policies wherein students can avail of grants, loans, or scholarships in the form of the government’s financial support. Most top universities are teamed up with this initiative, making even the most aristocratic universities a reasonable bargain for students.
May 04, 2023
Faster processing and interview waivers for US visas, USCIS latest visa updates
The US has planned to shorten the wait times for Visit visas for Indians by waiving the interview process. Applicants with “clearance received” or “department authorization” status on their previous visas can apply for a new visa using the interview waiver process.
Those applicants are eligible for the interview waivers who are renewing any visa in the same category with expiration within 48 months.
Read more…
How Y-Axis can help you?
The H1B visa requires the highest quality of documentation in order to give your petition a chance at success. Y-Axis has the knowledge and experience to ensure your application is thorough and meets all benchmarks. Our teams assist with:
- To work at a branch, parent, affiliate, or subsidiary of the current employer
- Job Search Assistance in the US
- Preparing your documentation
- Complete Application Processing
- Forms, Documentation & Petition Filing
The H1B Visa is a life-changing opportunity for anyone looking to work in the US. Y-Axis can help you make the most of this opportunity with our end-to-end support that starts with helping you find a job, applying for a visa, applying for a PR and more. Talk to us today to discover how we can help you.
