| 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. |
