Lottery-allocated employer-sponsored work visa for specialty occupations requiring a bachelor's degree. 65,000 + 20,000 advanced-degree caps, 3+3 years duration, Green Card path.
Official name: H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa
Not legal or immigration advice
This page summarizes publicly available information from official immigration authorities. Visa rules change frequently and individual circumstances matter. Verify with the relevant consulate, embassy, or a licensed immigration attorney before applying.
$6,000–$15,000
15–240 days
36 months
Yes
The H-1B is the standard employment-based visa for foreign professionals working in US specialty occupations — software engineering, finance, science, medicine, architecture. Employers register candidates in a March lottery for the fiscal year starting October. The annual cap is 65,000 plus 20,000 reserved for US master's degree holders; demand routinely exceeds 4× supply, with FY2026 receiving 470,342 registrations for ~110,000 selections (USCIS final numbers data). Selected candidates can work for 3 years, extendable to 6, and can pursue a Green Card during this period via employer sponsorship (PERM → I-140 → I-485 / consular processing). H-1B holders' spouses get H-4 status; H-4 EAD allows spouses to work if the principal has an approved I-140.
Government fee
$2,460
Lawyer / agent
$3,000–$8,000
All-in (incl. medical, translation, travel)
$6,000–$15,000
Minimum income/savings: ~$60,000/year. No statutory floor — must meet DOL prevailing wage at Level 1-4 for the specific SOC code in the work location. Tech roles in major metros typically require $80K-200K+ at Level 2+.
Initial visa
36 months
Path to residency
Direct on arrival
Path to citizenship
5 years
H-1B holders are US tax residents and pay full federal + state + FICA from day one of employment. The substantial-presence test (≥ 31 days current year + 183 days weighted over 3 years) makes this near-immediate. Worldwide income is taxable. Federal: 10–37% progressive + FICA 7.65% (employee share). State: 0% (TX, FL, WA) to 13.3% (CA). H-1Bs cannot use the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion since they're US residents. See /tax/calculator/us for the 2026 federal estimate. Note: pre-arrival foreign income may be filed on a dual-status return for the arrival year.
Triggering threshold: more than 183 days physical presence.