H-1B Visa, Specialty Occupations in Charleston, SC

This category of non-immigrant visa is most desired. It is eligible for application of the Dual Intent Doctrine. It is designed for persons in a "specialty occupation," which requires the theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge requiring completion of a specific course of higher education. It has an annual cap of 85,000 visas (REGULAR CAP). The first 20,000 petitions filed for those workers with a master's degree or higher from a U.S. university (ADE CAP) are exempt from the annual regular cap limitation. Similarly, petitions for workers at institutions of higher learning, nonprofits, and government research organizations are exempt from the annual regular cap and ADE cap limitations.

This H-1B category also includes fashion models (H-1B3) and government-to-government employees (H-1B2) in research and development or co-production projects administered by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), discussed elsewhere under "Specialty Visas & Programs."

Employer Requirements for the H-1B Visa

To hire a candidate for this visa, the employer must first conduct a qualified American employee search through its state department of labor and then file a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and demonstrate that the job offered requires a significant body of highly specialized knowledge or experience. This LCA is not to be confused with a labor certification utilized in EB-2 & EB-3 visas.

H-1B Visa Employee Qualification

The candidate for employment must have a bachelor's degree or higher required by the specific specialty occupation, or education and training equal to such a degree, and have any required licenses.

H-1B Visa Submission Process

The employer must submit the LCA approval, the USCIS Form I-129, all accompanying documentation, and pay all required filing fees. The employee can elect to pay the premium processing fee. H-1B self-sponsoring entrepreneurs' petitions may be possible with specific corporate governance structuring.

USCIS Filing Fees

The USCIS filing fees aren't cheap. For the year 2013, there is the filing fee of $325; the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act "Training" fee of $750 for employers with fewer than 26 employees and $1500 for those with over 25 employees; and the Fraud Prevention/Detection fee of $500.

Besides these filing fees, some petitions for H-1B visas must include an additional $2,000. This applies only to companies that employ 50 or more H-1B employees or whose employment ranks contain more than 50% H-1B employees. Employers can refute said payment based upon their company size but can expect a Request for Evidence (RFE) from USCIS in this regard. And, if the employer needs the employee quickly or fears the cap for the year is about to be reached, there is a premium processing fee (approximate 15-day turnaround) of $1225 for expedited processing. Plus, the employee will have his/her visa fees at the home U.S. Embassy or Consulate and fees for spouses and children. Although not cheap, the visas are still worth it, as the annual cap limitation is reached every year.

Annual Visa Cap Limitation Quota or System

For the year 2012, the 85,000 regular cap plus ADE cap limit or quota was reached on June 11, 2012. For the year 2013, the acceptance date for filing of H-1B was April 1, 2013. Assuming that this year will be as demanding as last year, all of the cap visas will be filled by sometime in June. Only a 2-plus month window. Since labor certification must be completed first, it is nearly impossible to procure an H-1B visa for an employee unless the employer is already deep into the entire process. Naturally, H-1B transfer visas and employees working for an institution of higher education, nonprofit, or government research organization still have viable options.

H-1B Visa Period of Stay

The visa is first approved for up to 3 years, with a 3-year renewal extension possible. Extra stays may be allowed under the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act of 2000 (AC21).

Portability

The AC21 allows certain foreign nationals who are in the process of obtaining their permanent residency, based on employment, to change employers (AC21 Portability) after their labor certification has been completed and approved, after their I-140 has been filed & approved, and while the I-485 is being processed. The new employment must be in the same or a similar occupation classification, and the I-485 must have been pending for at least 180 days.

Spouses and Unmarried Children of H-1B Visa Holders

An H-4 visa is available to spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 (immediate family members) of holders of all "H-1B" category temporary visas (H-1B, H-1B1, H-1B2, & H-1B3) to lawfully come to and stay in the U.S. during the duration of their working spouses' "H-1B" visa. It is also available for adopted children. H-4 holders cannot get Social Security numbers or work. But they can attend school and college, hold a driver's license, open bank accounts, and get taxpayer identification numbers.

To apply for their H-4 visa, each applicant will complete the USCIS form DS-160 and need a passport from their country of origin, valid for at least 6 months beyond the permitted stay of their working spouse or parent. Spouses will need to provide marriage certificates, and all applicants will need to have valid (translated if necessary) accounts and certificates, provide accompanying documentation, and pay all required filing fees. Interviews will be conducted at their marriage certificates,r Consulate.

With the 2013 immigration reform pending, the winds of change are blowing. Soon the annual limits on applicants should increase significantly. We will monitor and stay abreast of these changes.

This is one area of immigration law that can become somewhat tricky, and an attorney is strongly recommended.

Remember our old standard: immigration, nothing is as simple as it first appears.℠ Our lawyers can prepare these petitions for you.