H-1B Visa Guide for Graduate Professionals: Part 1 of 4 Part 2

The Competitive Landscape

The H-1B cap of 85,000 (65,000 regular + 20,000 advanced degree exemption for U.S. master’s/Ph.D. holders) creates fierce competition. In FY 2025, only 114,017 unique beneficiaries were selected, a 38.6% reduction from FY 2024 due to the beneficiary-centric lottery system, limiting multiple registrations per individual. This underscores the need for strategic planning and alternatives like the E-2 visa.

What is the H-1B Visa?

Overview

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant work visa enabling U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals in “specialty occupations” requiring a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in fields like software engineering, medical research, or finance. Administered by USCIS, it’s a key pathway for skilled professionals.

Key Features

Eligibility:

Specialty Occupation: Roles demand specialized knowledge and a bachelor’s degree (e.g., data scientist at Meta).

Employer Sponsorship: Employers file a petition with a Labor Condition Application (LCA), certified by the Department of Labor (DOL), ensuring fair wages.

Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience (three years’ work per year of missing education). U.S. master’s/Ph.D. holders qualify for the advanced degree exemption.

Duration: Initial three years, extendable to six, with further extensions possible for green card applicants.

Annual Cap: 85,000 visas (65,000 regular + 20,000 advanced degree). Cap-exempt employers (e.g., Stanford, NIH) bypass this.

Costs: Employers pay $460–$2,805 in filing fees, plus legal costs. Candidates typically don’t pay directly.

Dependents: H-4 visas for spouses and children under 21, with work authorization for some H-4 spouses.