H-1B Specialty Occupation Worker
🇺🇸 United States visas · Work
What it is
For foreign professionals working in specialty occupations that require theoretical and practical application of highly specialized knowledge. Typically used for STEM, finance, healthcare, and other professional roles.
Key facts
- Category
- Work
- Duration
- Up to 3 years, extendable to 6 years (longer for green card applicants)
- Processing time
- 6 months
- Maximum validity
- 3 years
- Extendable
- Yes
- Path to permanent residence
- Indirect route
- Dependants
- Yes
- How to apply
- Embassy
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee
- USD 205
Key requirements
- Job offer from a U.S. employer who files a petition with USCIS
- At least a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in the specialty field
- Position must qualify as a specialty occupation
- Subject to annual cap selection (lottery) for most petitioners
- Employer must pay prevailing wage and file a Labor Condition Application
Working on this visa
Employment is permitted only as authorized by the nonimmigrant classification accorded (8 CFR 214.1(e)).
Bringing family
Spouse and children are admitted as H-4 for the same period as the principal; H-4 status does not confer eligibility for employment authorization incident to status (8 CFR 214.2(h)).
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 3 August 2026.