The H-1B is the most sought-after work visa in the world for Indian professionals. It allows US companies to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations — primarily IT, engineering, finance, medicine and architecture. With 85,000 visas issued annually via lottery, having expert guidance on registration, sponsorship and application strategy is critical.
📋 Eligibility & Requirements
Education
Bachelor's degree or higher in a specialty field relevant to the job
Job Offer
US employer willing to sponsor and pay LCA-compliant prevailing wage
LCA
Labor Condition Application approved by the US Department of Labor
Specialty Occupation
Job must be a 'specialty occupation' requiring theoretical knowledge — IT, engineering, medicine, finance, accounting, law
Employer Sponsorship
Employer must be registered and selected in H-1B lottery (Cap-subject)
Degree Equivalency
Foreign degrees evaluated by credential evaluation agency if needed
🎯 Available Programs & Streams
Cap-Subject H-1BAnnual Lottery
Annual lottery for general employers — 65,000 regular + 20,000 US master's cap.
Cap-Exempt H-1BNo Lottery
Universities, non-profits, government research — no lottery, apply anytime.
H-1B TransferJob Change
Transfer sponsorship from one US employer to another without lottery.
H-1B ExtensionExtension
Extend beyond 6 years if Green Card priority date is current or PERM filed.
🔄 Step-by-Step Process
01
Employer Registration
Employer registers in USCIS lottery (March each year)
02
Lottery Selection
USCIS randomly selects registrations (April results)
03
Petition Filing
Employer files I-129 petition with supporting documents
04
Approval Notice
USCIS issues I-797 approval notice (October 1 start date)
05
Consular Processing
Apply for H-1B visa stamp at US consulate in India
06
Enter USA
Travel to USA and begin employment from October 1
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the H-1B lottery?
USCIS runs a computerised lottery each April to select 85,000 beneficiaries from hundreds of thousands of registrations. US Master's degree holders get two chances.
Can my spouse work on H-4 EAD?
Spouse can enter on H-4 dependent visa. If you've filed for Green Card (I-140 approved), spouse can apply for H-4 EAD work authorisation.
Can H-1B lead to Green Card?
Yes. H-1B is a dual-intent visa — you can simultaneously pursue Green Card (EB-2/EB-3) through employer sponsorship. Indian nationals face long priority date backlogs.
What if I don't get selected in the lottery?
Consider Cap-Exempt employers (universities, non-profits), O-1 visa (extraordinary ability), L-1 (intracompany transfer) or Canada/Australia as alternative pathways.
Ready to Apply for USA H-1B Work Visa?
Book your consultation — our certified experts will guide you every step of the way.