Apply for H-1B Visa US

The H-1B Visa is a well-known US work visa that allows skilled workers to move to America for jobs. With this visa, you can live in the US, work with big companies and build your career over there. Every year, many professionals apply for it to find good salaries, better opportunities and a higher quality of life.

What is H-1B Visa?

The H-1B Visa is a non-immigrant work visa that allows US employers to hire skilled foreign workers in fields such as IT, engineering, finance, health, research, and more. It is one of the most popular US work visas because it gives professionals from other countries the chance to live and work in the United States legally.

With an H-1B Visa, you can work for a sponsoring company in the US for up to three years, and it can be extended to a maximum of six years.

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Key Points about the H-1B Visa

It is an employer-sponsored visa. You cannot apply alone; a US company must file your petition.
The visa is usually issued for specialty occupations that require specific skills or a degree.
There is a limited number (cap) of visas available each year.
H-1B Visa holders can bring their spouse and children (under 21) to the US on H-4 dependent visas.
It can sometimes lead to permanent residency (Green Card) if your employer sponsors you.

H-1B Benefits

Getting an H-1B Visa comes with many advantages:

Live and work legally in the United States.
Earn a good salary and access better job opportunities.
Travel in and out of the US freely while your visa is valid.
Your spouse can apply for work authorization (in some cases).
Children can attend schools and universities in the US.
Possibility of moving towards a Green Card.

Documents Required for US H-1B Visa

H-1B Requirements for Employers

H-1B Requirements for Employees:

H-1B Requirements for Employers

H-1B Requirements for Employees:

Best Time to Apply for an H-1B Visa US

The US government allows H-1B petitions only during a specific period each year. Usually:

Applications open in March/April.
The lottery system selects petitions because of high demand.
If selected, you can start working in the US from October of the same year.

So, the best time to apply is as early as possible once the filing window opens.

How to Get H-1B Visa from Australia?

Many skilled professionals in Australia dream of moving to the United States for better career growth and opportunities. The H-1B Visa US is one of the most common pathways to achieve their US goal. Since the H-1B is an employer-sponsored visa, you cannot apply on your own. A US company must first agree to hire and sponsor you. Below is the step-by-step process explained clearly:

Find a US Employer Willing to Sponsor You

The first and most important step is to secure a job offer from a company in the United States.
Your employer must be eligible and willing to file an H-1B petition on your behalf.
Most H-1B jobs are in industries such as IT, finance, healthcare, engineering and research.

Employer Files Your H-1B Petition
Once you accept the offer, your employer must file Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker) with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Before submitting, they must also get a Labour Condition Application (LCA) approved by the US Department of Labor to prove fair wages and working conditions.

The petition must be filed during the H-1B lottery registration period, usually starting in March.

Wait for Petition Approval

USCIS reviews the petition and decides whether your application is approved or denied.
If selected in the H-1B lottery and approved, you can move to the next stage, applying for your actual visa at the US consulate in Australia.

Schedule a Visa Interview at the US Embassy or Consulate in Australia

Once your petition is approved, you must apply for the visa at a US Embassy or Consulate in Australia.
Locations include Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and other consular offices.
You will need to complete the DS-160 online form before booking your interview round.

Submit Documents and Attend the Interview

At the interview, you must provide your passport, visa application confirmation, job offer letter, petition approval notice (Form I-797), educational qualifications and other required documents.
The consular officer may ask questions about your role, employer and qualifications. Answer honestly and clearly.

Receive Visa Approval and Travel to the US

If your interview is successful, your passport will be stamped with the H-1B Visa.
You can then make travel plans and move to the US to start your new job.

H-1B Visa Cap

Every year, there is a cap (limit) on the number of H-1B Visas issued:

65,000 visas for applicants with a bachelor’s degree.
An extra 20,000 visas for applicants with a US master’s degree or higher.
Certain organizations, like universities and research institutions, are cap-exempt, meaning they can file anytime.

Because of this cap, the H-1B Visa is in very high demand.

H-1B Visa: Are You Eligible?

To qualify, you must:

Have a job offer from a US employer.
Hold at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in the specialty field.
Work in an occupation that requires special knowledge or skills (like IT, engineering, healthcare, etc.).
Employer must agree to pay you the required wage set by the US Department of Labor.

H-1B Processing Time

Processing time depends on many factors:

Regular processing: usually takes 3–6 months.
Premium processing: employers can pay an extra fee to get results in 15 calendar days.

H-1B Visa Fees

The fees for H-1B Visa include:

Base filing fee: USD $780 (approx. AUD $1,200).
USCIS Anti-Fraud fee: USD $500.
ACWIA training fee: USD $750 or $1,500 (depending on company size).
Premium processing fee (optional): USD $2,500.
Visa stamping fee at the US consulate: around USD $190.

How GIEC GLOBAL Can Help You with H-1B Visa

Applying for an H-1B Visa can be very complicated because this visa involves strict rules, paperwork and deadlines. Our registered Migration agent & Lawyer make this process easy by guiding you step by step.
Here’s how we support you:

Job Guidance & Employer Connection – We guide you on how to find genuine US employers who are eligible to sponsor H-1B visas.
Eligibility Check – Our lawyer reviews your qualifications and experience to confirm if you meet the H-1B requirements.
Document Preparation – We help you collect and organize all necessary documents for both you and your employer.
Contact us and start your H1B US Visa process today.

Faqs

What is the H-1B Visa lottery?

Because there are more applications than available visas, USCIS uses a lottery system to randomly select eligible petitions each year.

How much does the H-1B Visa cost?

The H-1B Visa cost varies, but employers usually spend between USD $5,000–$7,000, while employees pay for visa stamping and personal costs.

Does an H-1B Visa lead to a Green Card?

Yes, the H-1B Visa can lead to a Green Card (Permanent Residency) if your employer sponsors you for it. Many H-1B holders apply for a Green Card after working in the US for a few years.

How long can you stay in the US with an H-1B Visa?

The H-1B Visa is first granted for 3 years and it can be extended to a maximum of 6 years. Some exceptions allow further extensions if a Green Card process is started.

Can I change employers on an H-1B Visa?

Yes, you can change jobs, but the new employer must file a fresh H-1B petition for you before you start working.

H-1B Visa US