H1B Visa Transparency

The H-1B is a non-immigrant work visa that lets U.S. employers hire foreign workers in specialty occupations. You typically need a bachelor's degree or equivalent in fields like technology, engineering, finance, or medicine. It's the most common work visa for skilled professionals in the U.S.

Congress caps it at 65,000 per year, plus 20,000 for workers with U.S. master's degrees or higher. That's 85,000 total. Demand far exceeds supply, so USCIS runs a lottery each April. Cap-exempt employers (universities, nonprofits, government research orgs) can sponsor H-1Bs year-round without entering the lottery.

Employers must pay H-1B workers the higher of: (1) the actual wage paid to similarly qualified workers at the company, or (2) the prevailing wage for that occupation and location as set by DOL. The point is to prevent undercutting local wages. The median certified H-1B salary in FY2024 to 2025 was over $110,000.

Standard processing takes 3 to 6 months after USCIS starts accepting petitions in April. Premium Processing ($2,805 extra) gets you a decision within 15 business days. Times vary by service center and change monthly. Check VisaTrack's processing times page for current estimates.

Yes. H-1B portability (under AC21) lets you switch employers. The new employer files a transfer petition, and you can start working for them immediately once it's filed. You don't wait for approval. The new job should be in the same or a similar occupation.

The employer can file a motion to reconsider or reopen with USCIS, or appeal to the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO). Common denial reasons: USCIS didn't buy the specialty occupation argument, documentation was incomplete, or the wage level didn't match the role. You can remain in valid status under your previous visa while the appeal is pending.

A Labor Condition Application (LCA) is a document employers file with DOL before sponsoring an H-1B worker. It certifies they'll pay prevailing wages and won't adversely affect U.S. workers. The key part: LCA data is public. VisaTrack uses these filings to show employer sponsorship records, salaries, and approval rates.