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What is H-1B visa? All about the visa amid Trump's new immigration crackdown
The H-1B visa allows US employers to recruit skilled workers in specialty occupations, requiring a minimum of a bachelor's degree.
The Trump administration announced Friday that it plans to require companies to pay $100,000 annually for each H-1B worker visa, a move that could significantly impact the technology sector, which depends on skilled talent from India and China.
What is the H-1B visa?
The H-1B is a non-immigrant visa that allows employers in the United States to hire foreign workers in speciality occupations — roles that require highly specialised knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree. It is widely used in industries such as information technology, finance, and engineering. Both the applicant and the position must meet specific eligibility requirements.
The intent of the H-1B program is to help US employers who cannot otherwise find the required skills within the domestic workforce.
Also read: Not Apple or Google, this US tech company issues most H1-B visas
Eligibility
To qualify for an H-1B visa, an applicant must:
Hold at least a bachelor’s degree (or its foreign equivalent) in a directly related field.
Possess any license, registration, or certification required to practice in the occupation.
For a job to qualify as a speciality occupation, it must require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree (or higher) for entry.
Also read: What is Project Firewall? 5 things to know about Trump's H-1B crackdown mission
Filing process
Employers hiring an H-1B worker must first submit a Labour Condition Application (LCA) to the US Department of Labor. Through the LCA, the employer attests that it will comply with labor standards, such as paying the H-1B worker a wage that is not less than that of similarly qualified US workers.
Duration
H-1B workers are typically admitted for an initial period of three years, with the possibility of extension for another three years, making a maximum stay of six years.
H-1B visa cap
Each fiscal year, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issues up to 65,000 new H-1B visas. An additional 20,000 visas are available for applicants with a master’s degree or higher from a US institution of higher education.
