1. What is an H-1B visa?

The H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant (meaning not permanent residence/green card) visa for professionals who hold specialty occupations. Specialty occupation is defined as a position that requires the “theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge” and that requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent as a minimum for entry into the occupation in the US. Generally speaking, the classification is for professional positions.

“Equivalent” means either a foreign four year degree, or a combination of education and relevant work experience, where three years of work experience is equivalent to one year of university education (or in some instances, just work experience).

2. For how long is the H-1B status valid?

The petition is valid for three years initially, and can be extended for up to an additional three years. Further, if the employment-based permanent residence process is started and at a particular point in the process, the H-1B status can be extended past the sixth year.

3. When can we file the H-1B petition?

There is a limit of 65,000 H-1B petitions each year, plus 20,000 petitions for U.S. master’s degree holders. This is commonly called the H-1B cap. The cap “opens” each year on April 1^st for an October 1^st start date. That means that employers can start filing on April 1^stfor the employer to start working on October 1^st (or later). However, the employer can file the H-1B petition at any time, as long as there are visas left in the cap. So for example, if it’s November 1^st but there are still H-1B petitions left, the employer can file immediately for an immediate start date .

4. What is the petition process?

The employer must file a labor condition application (LCA) with the Department of Labor. Typically the employer’s immigration attorney will do this for them. The LCA is the mechanism by which the employer makes certain required attestation as to the working conditions and terms of employment. The Department of Labor can take up to seven calendar days or longer to process this application.

Once the LCA is approved, the employer files the H-1B petition with USCIS (formerly called INS). Once the petition is filed, the employer and the attorney will receive a receipt notice with a tracking number (called the receipt number).

USCIS can take around two months to process a new H-1B petition, or up to several months to process an H-1B extension or transfer petition (see below). However, USCIS does offer the premium processing service. This means that if the employer pays USCIS an extra fee (currently $1225), USCIS will make a decision or issue a request for evidence within 15 calendar days.

If the H-1B employee is outside the US, he/she must apply for the H-1B visa at the U.S. consulate before entering the US.

5. What about the H-1B employee’s family members?

Family members (spouses and children under age 21) can obtain H-4 status. The spouse is not permitted to work in H-4 status.

6. When can the H-1B employee start working, once the petition is filed?

Classic lawyer answer: it depends!

If the petition is a new petition, subject to the cap, the employee can start working on October 1, or as soon as the petition is approved, whichever is later.

If the petition is a transfer petition or extension petition, the employee can keep working, assuming the extension or transfer was timely filed (before the expiration of the employee’s current status).

7. What are the costs for the H-1B petition?

Please refer to the engagement letter for the exact legal and filing fees.

8. Who can pay the H-1B fees?

The employer must pay the filing fee, the fraud fee, the employer fee, and the public law fee (if that is applicable). Whether the employee can pay the legal fee is less clear-cut. While some authority indicates it is permissible for the employee to pay the legal fee, the employer must ensure that deducting the legal fee from the H-1B employee’s salary would not take the salary below the prevailing wage or actual wage (see immediately below).

9. What is the minimum amount the employer must pay the employee?

The employer must agree to pay the employee 100% of the prevailing wage or actual wage, whichever is higher. The prevailing wage is determined by the Department of Labor, and is set according to the position, skills, experience, and education required, and the geographic location of the worksite. The actual wage is the wage paid to similarly employed employees. Your immigration attorney can explain this requirement in more detail, but please note that you cannot pay the employee just any wage you want to; you must ensure it complies with the wage requirements.

10. Can the H-1B employee start the permanent residence (green card) process while in H-1B status?

Yes! H-1B status allows for dual intent, meaning a person can hold H-1B status and start the permanent residence process.

11. What documents are required for the H-1B process?

Please see the document checklist from the attorney for the specific list. However, generally speaking, the attorney will need basic corporate information (full name of company, number of employees, etc). Depending on the type of company, we may also need copies of the most recent tax returns, business plans, etc. Note that all information will be kept confidential.

12. What else should the employer know about filing the H-1B petition?

If the employee is terminated before the end of the H-1B status, the employer must offer to pay return airfare to the employee’s home country. Also, as part of the LCA process, the employer must post a notice of filing in a conspicuous place to notify other employees that the H-1B petition is being filed. The immigration attorney will prepare the notice for you, but by regulation, it must require the wage that the H-1B employee will be paid (or at least a salary range that includes the wage that will be paid).

As always, the above is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with a licensed attorney before taking or refraining from taking action.