Written by — Co-Founder, Expert Sapiens
Reviewed March 2026
Immigration
What Is H-1B Visa?
Definition
The H-1B is a US nonimmigrant work visa for specialty occupation workers — typically requiring at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant field — sponsored by a US employer.
The H-1B is the most common work visa for skilled foreign workers in the US, particularly in technology, finance, and engineering. It is employer-sponsored — meaning you must have a US employer willing to file a petition on your behalf. There is an annual cap of 65,000 visas (plus 20,000 for US master's degree holders), and demand far exceeds supply — resulting in a lottery. The initial period is 3 years, renewable to 6 years. For workers in green card backlogs, H-1B status can be extended beyond 6 years. H-1B cap-exempt employers (universities, nonprofits, government research) can file at any time without the lottery.
Why it matters
The H-1B lottery creates uncertainty for employers and employees alike. Understanding the timeline, the requirements for specialty occupation classification, and the strategies for cap-exempt filing is important for both individuals and companies planning international hires. An immigration attorney can advise on the strongest petition strategy, identify cap-exempt alternatives, and help employers build compliant immigration programs.