United States H-1B specialty occupation visa

People with at least a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience in the specialty occupation, whose prospective employer petitions for them.

• Specialty occupation

  The work must be in a specialty occupation requiring specialised knowledge and a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in the specific specialty. ([flag.dol.gov](https://flag.dol.gov/programs/LCA))

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• Degree or equivalent experience

  Applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience in the specialty occupation. No fixed number of years of equivalent experience is given on this page.

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• Approved employer petition

  The prospective employer must file Form I-129 on the applicant’s behalf, and USCIS must approve it before the applicant applies for a temporary worker visa.

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• Employer labour application

  The employer must submit a Labor Condition Application to the Department of Labor attesting to compliance with H-1B programme requirements.

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• Required wage

  The employer must pay at least the higher of its actual wage for comparable workers or the prevailing wage for the occupation in the area of intended employment; it cannot pay below any other applicable federal, state or local minimum.

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• Payment for restricted entry

  For an H-1B specialty occupation worker outside the United States covered by the entry restriction, the employer must document a $100,000 payment before filing the petition, unless the Department of Homeland Security grants the stated exception. The September 18, 2026 proclamation extends the restriction until September 21, 2027. ([whitehouse.gov](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/09/restriction-on-entry-of-certain-nonimmigrant-workers-faad/))

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• Valid passport

  The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the period of stay in the United States, unless a country-specific agreement provides an exemption.

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• H-category visa application processing feeLast checked 5 days ago · recheckingSource$205 per person
• Employer H-1B registration, when registration is required for a cap-subject petitionLast checked 5 days ago · recheckingSource$215 per person
• Employer Form I-129 H-1B petition, online filing, regular petitioner; alternative to paper filingLast checked 5 days ago · recheckingSource$730 once
• Employer Form I-129 H-1B petition, paper filing, regular petitioner; alternative to online filingLast checked 5 days ago · recheckingSource$780 once
• Employer Form I-129 H-1B petition, small employer or non-profitLast checked 5 days ago · recheckingSource$460 once
• Employer Asylum Program Fee, regular petitionerLast checked 5 days ago · recheckingSource$600 once
• Employer Asylum Program Fee, small employerLast checked 5 days ago · recheckingSource$300 once
• Employer fraud prevention and detection fee, when applicable to an initial H-1B petition or change of H-1B employerLast checked 5 days ago · recheckingSource$500 once
• Employer ACWIA fee, where applicable; amount depends on employer sizeLast checked 5 days ago · recheckingSource$1,500 once
• Employer ACWIA fee, where applicable; alternative amount depending on employer sizeLast checked 5 days ago · recheckingSource$750 once
• Employer payment for a petition covered by the H-1B entry restriction, unless exceptedLast checked 5 days ago · recheckingSource$100,000 once

1. Get ready

   • Secure a specialty-occupation job

     Find a prospective employer willing to file a petition for work that meets the specialty-occupation requirements.

     You’ll need: Evidence of your degree or equivalent experience

   • Have the employer obtain a labour application

     The employer must determine the required wage and submit a Labor Condition Application to the Department of Labor.

     You’ll need: Labor Condition Application, Form ETA-9035 or ETA-9035E

   • Address the overseas entry restriction

     If the restriction covers the petition, the employer must obtain and retain documentation of the $100,000 payment before filing, unless an exception is granted.

     You’ll need: Payment documentation, if applicable

2. Apply

   • Have the employer file the petition

     The employer files Form I-129 and waits for USCIS approval before you apply for the visa.

     You’ll need: Form I-129, USCIS Notice of Action, Form I-797

3. Visa

   • Complete the visa application

     Complete Form DS-160 online, upload a photograph and print its confirmation page.

     You’ll need: Form DS-160 confirmation page, Photograph

   • Schedule an interview

     Follow the consulate’s instructions to schedule an interview and provide the approved petition’s receipt number.

     You’ll need: Petition receipt number

   • Prepare your documents and pay the visa fee

     Prepare the listed passport, DS-160 confirmation, petition number and any required photograph or fee receipt, and read the legal rights pamphlet.

     You’ll need: Passport, Form DS-160 confirmation page, Petition receipt number, Fee receipt, if required, Printed photograph, if the upload failed

   • Attend the visa interview

     A consular officer decides whether you qualify; fingerprint scans are normally taken during the application process.

     You’ll need: Interview documents

4. Travel

   • Travel and request admission

     After receiving your visa, travel to a US port of entry, where Customs and Border Protection decides whether to admit you.

     You’ll need: Passport, Visa

You may request an extension of your stay or a change to another nonimmigrant category; neither is automatic.

• travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resource…Official
• flag.dol.gov/programs/LCAOfficial
• Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers – The White Housewhitehouse.govOfficial
• uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/g-1055_2.pdfOfficial
• Fees for Visa Servicestravel.state.govOfficial
• Temporary Worker Visastravel.state.govOfficial

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.