Immigration Law

Each year 65,000 H-1B visas are made available so that foreign nationals can work in the United States on a temporary basis.  The H-1B category is designed to attract skilled professionals in specialty occupations to work in the U.S. on a temporary basis. A person must possess at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent (through a combination of education and work experience) to obtain an H-1B visa.

The H-1B is suitable for occupations such as professors, researchers, engineers, computer specialists and software programmers - just to name a few. The H-1B visa is valid for a period of up to six years. 

The H-1B visa begins on October 1, 2007. This is the first day a person will be allowed to work on an H-1B visa. However, a company may begin the process on behalf of an individual much earlier than this. In fact, Immigration Services begins accepting H-1B visa petitions on April 1, 2007, which is just around the corner.

The H-1B visa cap is expected to be reached on the very first day that Immigration Services begins to accept the visa petition - April 1st!

If you are an employer wishing to hire a foreign national to begin working for your company, you must begin the visa petition process immediately. If you are an individual wanting to work in the U.S. on an H-1B visa next year, you need to discuss this option with your future employer as soon as possible.

If you are a foreign student graduating in May - then you need to begin thinking of the H-1B visa now so that you can apply for this and make arrangements to maintain immigration status until the October 1 start date.

Should you need any assistance in applying for H-1B status or any questions related to this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us. Kraft & Associates is available to help you with all your H-1B related concerns.