H-1B Visa: Every Detail About The Pathway To Help You Enter The US And Canadian Workforce

With an aim to develop stronger bonds with India, US President Joe Biden announced new trade and defence agreements on Thursday, June 22, 2023. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the US, the government has also announced ease on H-1B Visas for skilled Indian jobseekers.

It has to be noted that for a few years, many Indians have been struggling to secure a visa, which is one of the best pathways to enter the US Workforce. One of the announcements that have brought relaxation to Indians working overseas is the in-country renewal of the H-1B visa. It means that people working in the US can get their visas renewed there and not bear the hassle of flying to India for that purpose.

In the wake of new policies, this article explains everything you need to know about the H-1B visa.

What Is An H-1B Visa?

The H-1B visa is for immigrant workers living in the US. It allows non-immigrant employers to hire a higher workforce outside the country. However, they must possess a specific skill set, and the period of work is limited.

Eligibility Criteria For H-1B Visa

There are three types of H-1B visas: H-1B Speciality Occupations, H-1B2 DOD Researcher and Development Project Worker, and H-1B3 Fashion Model. Each of the visa types caters to people from different professions.

H-1B Speciality Occupations

Under this, you will be applying as a specialist in your field. The eligibility criteria include:

• The person must have practical and theoretical knowledge of the field.
• They must have a bachelor’s or higher degree in the field of the job.
• The applicant either holds a US bachelor’s (Scholarship Programmes For Indian Students Who Want To Study Abroad) or high degree or has completed their education from a foreign university equivalent to a US college.
• You should also have an unrestricted state licence, certification, or registration that allows you to practise your skills in the country.

H-1B2 DOD Researcher and Development Project Worker

The eligibility criteria for this visa require:

• You should have a bachelor’s or higher degree from a college or university in the US.
• If you have a degree from a foreign university (Benefits Of Studying Abroad), it must be equivalent to a US degree.
• You should have an unrestricted licence from the state or a registration/ certificate that permits you to practise your skill sets.
• You must have specialised training in the field of occupation.

H-1B3 Fashion Model

If you are applying for this visa, here are the eligibility criteria:

• The position you are applying for must have a vacancy for a fashion model.
• You must be a fashion model with distinguished abilities and merits.

Period Of Stay Under The H-1B Visas

If you have applied for H-1B Speciality Occupations or H-1B3 Fashion Model visas, you will get a permit to work for 1-3 years. This period can be extended, but the total time cannot exceed six years, except for a few exceptions.

What About The Family Of H-1B Visa Holder?

If you hold an H-1B visa, your spouse and kids under the age of 21 can study in the country under the H-4 nonimmigrant classification. There are a few conditions that you will have to adhere to.

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How To Apply For The H-1B Visa?

To apply for the H-1B visa, you will have to create a USCIS account online. Since you will be applying for 2024, the registration process will begin on March 1, 2024, and end on March 17, 2024. Each registration comes with a fee of $10. Here is a step by step guide for your consideration.

How Can H-1B Visa Help You Enter Canada?

Recently Canadian Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser, announced that the country will open its gates for US H-1B visa holders. At least 10,000 such immigrants will be eligible to apply for jobs in Canada. Family members and kids of H-1B visa holders will also be eligible to work and study in the country from July 16, 2023.

If you are an H-1B visa holder, your family members will get a temporary permanent residency visa, which will allow them to stay, work, or study in Canada. This is a way for Canada to bring skilled workforce from all over the world.

Mazdiar Patel, partner at Interglobe Paper Planes Consulting LLP, said that Canada is trying to lure skilled IT employees, and the best way of doing it is by opening gates for the US H-1B visa holders. While America is struggling with recession and people are losing their job or struggling to find employment in the country, Canada can immensely benefit from its new work permit policies.

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