Work Visas

H1-B Visas: If you hold at least a bachelor's degree and have a valid job offer in that field, you may be eligible to work in the United States by obtaining a working visa (H1-B).

The H-1B program allows an employer to temporarily employ a foreign worker in the U.S. on a nonimmigrant basis in a specialty occupation. A specialty occupation requires the theoretical and practical application of a body of specialized knowledge and a bachelor's degree or the equivalent in the specific specialty (e.g., sciences, medicine and health care, education, biotechnology, and business specialties, etc…). Current laws limit the number of foreign workers who may be issued a visa or otherwise be provided H-1B status, so you may have to wait for an H1-B visa.

NOTE: NEWS FLASH SPRING 2008: If you are trying to get H1-B status for the first time, the quota for H1-B visas last year was reached in the first couple of days in April, 2007. IF YOU ARE A STUDENT PLANNING TO APPLY FOR H1-B STATUS FOR A JOB THAT YOU WILL TAKE AFTER YOU GRADUATE THIS SUMMER, YOU NEED TO PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION NOW IN ORDER TO FILE IT EARLY APRIL. Last year there was a lottery for H1-Bs because there were too many applications for too few visas. It will only be worse this year.

However, if you are changing jobs from one employer to another, we will be able to help you. Please contact us for details.

If you are unable to obtain an H1-B visa, you may qualify for a different work visa, depending on your circumstances. For more information, please send me an e-mail: info@seattleimmigrationlaw.com

PERMANENT RESIDENCE: In addition to temporary work visas such as the H1-B, my office can also represent a U.S. employer who wishes to sponsor a non-citizen for permanent residence. Typically the employer must first demonstrate to the Department of Labor that there is no qualified U.S. worker available for the job for which the immigrant visa is sought. For more information (as well as prices), please send me an e-mail: info@seattleimmigrationlaw.com