H-1B
Specialty occupation visa
H-1B is a U.S. visa category for foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree—typically in fields like technology, engineering, medicine, or finance.
American companies sponsor H-1B workers, and annual caps create fierce competition for available slots.
The visa has become central to debates about immigration, tech labor markets, and outsourcing: Her H-1B expires next year, The company hires dozens of H-1B workers.
Travel authorization stamp
- petitionFormal written appeal
- sponsorFunder of activities
- USCISImmigration services bureau
- statusOne's relative position
green card · nonimmigrant · beneficiary · consulate · stamping · approval · denial · cap
One who employs others
- employeeHired organizational member
- job offerFormal employment invitation
- wagesPayment for work
- positionLocation or stance
hire · termination · layoff · prevailing wage · job duties · full-time · part-time · worksite
Technical design professional
- programmerOne who writes software
- software developerOne who creates programs
- ITComputer systems management
- Silicon ValleyBay Area tech corridor
STEM · skilled worker · talent · professional · scientist · analyst · architect · consultant
Covering for top
- lotteryRandomized prize distribution
- reformImprove by correcting faults
- quotaFixed assigned amount
- banOfficial restriction on something
restriction · executive order · legislation · Trump · Biden · DHS · regulation · limit
Formal request document
- filingStoring documents systematically
- selectionChosen item or items
- adjudicationFormal decision on disputes
- interviewFormal questioning session
biometrics · documentation · evidence · deadline · receipt number · processing time · wait time · attorney
visa
Travel authorization stamp
status · green card · nonimmigrant · beneficiary · consulate · stamping · approval · denial · cap · lottery
employer
One who employs others
position · hire · termination · layoff · prevailing wage · job duties · full-time · part-time · worksite · staffing
engineer
Technical design professional
- programmerOne who writes software
- software developerOne who creates programs
- ITComputer systems management
Silicon Valley · STEM · skilled worker · talent · professional · scientist · analyst · architect · consultant · specialist
cap
Covering for top
ban · restriction · executive order · legislation · Trump · Biden · DHS · regulation · limit · annual
application
Formal request document
- filingStoring documents systematically
- selectionChosen item or items
- adjudicationFormal decision on disputes
interview · biometrics · documentation · evidence · deadline · receipt number · processing time · wait time · attorney · lawyer
- visastourist visa, work visa, student visa, business visa, travel visa
- Immigration Papersgreen card, visa application, work permit, work visa, student visa
- immigrationimmigrant, immigrants, visa, refugee, citizenship
- migrant labormigrant labor, migrant workers, foreign workers, farmworkers, guest workers
H-1Bgreen card
U.S. residency document
permanent residency · permanent resident · immigrant visa · naturalized citizen · US citizenship
Laborer without work authorization
illegal immigrant · unauthorized immigrant · illegal alien · undocumented immigrant · undocumented status
Authorized long-term U.S. resident