The H-1B visa category enables a foreign national to temporarily live and work in the U.S. in a specialty occupation for a U.S. company. A specialty occupation is one which requires at least a Bachelor’s degree.  The foreign national must have obtained a U.S. Bachelor degree or its equivalent in a field related to the specialty occupation. This visa allows up to a maximum of six years stay in H-1B status with some exceptions and is limited to an annual quota of 65,000, with an additional 20,000 for graduates of U.S. advanced degree programs.

Citizens of Chile and Singapore have each been granted a special H-1B1 visa quota for their countries, respectively, as a result of reciprocal treaties with the U.S. Qualifications for Chileans and Singaporeans vary slight from the regular H-1B visa.

Dependent spouses and children are granted H-4 visas for the duration of the principal visa holder’s valid stay but are not eligible for independent work authorization.

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