USA H-1B Visa
USA H-1B Visa Specialty Occupation Employment
The H-1B is a temporary visa allowing United States employers to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. This page sets out how the category operates, who is eligible, and what the annual cap means in practice.
Profile Evaluation
Employer Research
Documentation Guidance
How It Works
How the H-1B
How the H-1B
Category Operates
The H-1B is employer-driven and capacity-constrained. Six features determine how the category works and what a candidate can realistically influence.
The Employer Petitions
The United States employer files the petition on Form I-129 with USCIS. A candidate cannot self-petition for an H-1B.
Specialty Occupation
The role must require specialised knowledge and, ordinarily, a bachelor's degree or higher in the relevant field.
Annual Cap and Lottery
A numerical cap applies each fiscal year. Where registrations exceed the cap, selection is made by random lottery.
Duration
Ordinarily granted for three years and extendable to a maximum of six, with further extensions possible in defined circumstances.
Employer-Specific
Authorisation is limited to the sponsoring employer and the stated specialty occupation. A change of employer requires a new petition.
Dual Intent
H-1B holders may pursue permanent residency without prejudicing their non-immigrant status, which distinguishes it from most temporary categories.
Eligibility
Eligibility
Eligibility
Requirements
Four requirements must be satisfied together. The first two rest with the candidate, the remaining two with the employer.
Qualification
A bachelor's degree or higher in the specific specialty, or an equivalent recognised combination of education and experience.
Job Offer
A confirmed offer from a United States employer for a role that genuinely qualifies as a specialty occupation.
Prevailing Wage
The employer must certify a Labor Condition Application and pay at least the prevailing wage for the role and location.
Cap or Cap-Exempt
Universities, affiliated non-profits and certain research organisations are exempt from the annual cap and may petition at any time.
Our Process
How the Process
How the Process
Runs
The registration window falls at a fixed point each year. Missing it means waiting a full cycle, so the search has to be timed against it.
01
Profile Evaluation
Confirm the qualification and occupation align with specialty criteria.
02
Employer Research
Identify employers with a record of sponsoring H-1B candidates.
03
Employer Outreach
Approach those employers ahead of the registration window.
04
Registration
The employer registers the candidate during the cap season.
05
Selection and Petition
If selected, the employer files the petition with USCIS.
Why Meeras Resource
The Lottery Cannot
The Lottery Cannot
Be Influenced. The
Employer Search Can.
No consultancy can improve your odds in the H-1B lottery, and any that claims otherwise should be avoided. What is within reach is being in front of employers that sponsor, with a positioned profile, before the registration window opens. That is where our work applies, and we will say plainly where the H-1B is not a realistic route for a given profile.
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Profile Evaluation
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Occupation Assessment
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Employer Research
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Profile Marketing
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Employer Outreach
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Documentation Guidance
Client Stories
Real Journeys. Real Experiences.
Hear from clients about their experience working with Meeras Resource and what the process involved.
Featured Experience
★★★★★
“I had a great experience with Meeras Resource for my Germany process, with clear communication and professional support throughout. Their profile marketing approach presented my profile effectively to potential employers. I truly appreciate their dedication and support, and highly recommend Meeras Resource for international career opportunities.”
SS
Sapna Sharma
★★★★★
“Meeras Resource made my Armenia employment process smooth, transparent, and stress-free. The team was professional, supportive, and always kept me updated throughout the journey. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a trustworthy consultancy for overseas employment.”
KS
Krishna Sharma
★★★★★
“Meeras Resource guided me at every step of my Canada process. Their professional, transparent and supportive team made the documentation straightforward and kept the whole journey stress-free. I would recommend their services to anyone exploring opportunities overseas.”
MK
Manish Kumar
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Verified client experiences
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Transparent guidance
✓
Client-focused support
Start Your Journey
Assess Your
Assess Your
H-1B Position
Share your qualification, occupation and years of experience. We will assess whether your role meets specialty occupation criteria and identify employers with a record of sponsorship in your field.
Request an Assessment →
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About the H-1B?
Answers on sponsorship, the lottery, duration, dependants and cap-exempt employers.
The H-1B is a non-immigrant visa permitting United States employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring specialised knowledge and, ordinarily, a bachelor's degree or higher. It is employer-sponsored, subject to an annual numerical cap, and tied to the specific role and employer named on the petition.
No. The employer files the petition on Form I-129 with USCIS, and there is no route for a candidate to self-petition. This is the defining feature of the category, and it is why securing an offer from an employer willing and able to sponsor is the entire substance of the process.
Where registrations submitted during the annual cap season exceed the available numbers, USCIS selects registrations at random. Selection is a matter of chance and cannot be influenced by any agent, consultant or fee. Only selected registrations may proceed to a full petition.
An initial period of three years is ordinarily granted, extendable to a maximum of six years. Extensions beyond six years are possible in defined circumstances, including where an employment-based permanent residency application is already in progress.
A spouse and unmarried children under 21 may accompany an H-1B holder under the H-4 category. H-4 holders may live and study in the United States but may not work unless they separately obtain work authorisation in their own right.
A change of employer requires a new petition filed by the incoming employer. Work authorisation is limited to the sponsoring employer and the specialty occupation stated on the approved petition, so employment cannot simply be transferred.
Yes. Institutions of higher education, affiliated non-profit entities and certain non-profit or governmental research organisations are cap-exempt and may petition at any point in the year. For candidates in academic and research fields this is frequently the more realistic route.
We provide profile evaluation, occupation assessment, employer research and outreach, and general information on the process. We do not file petitions and we do not provide legal advice. Petitions are filed by the employer, and candidates requiring legal representation should consult a licensed United States immigration attorney.