H-1B Visa Quota
An H-1B visa allows certain people to live and work in the United States for a limited period of time. With the sponsorship of a U.S. employer, a foreigner with special skills in fields such as science, medicine, engineering, law, education, etc. can come to the United States and work for 3 years, and have that term extended up to an additional 3, for a total of 6 years in the United States.
There are certain requirements for a job to be eligible for H-1B visa applicants. For example, it must be a job for which no qualified American citizens or residents have applied, and it must not adversely affect the wages of American workers, or displace them.
Each year, Congress puts a cap on the number of H-1B visas which may be issued. For fiscal year 2008, the limit was 150,000. That limit was reached on April 2, 2007, the first day for filing such applications. This indicates that there is a great desire on the part of employers to hire foreign workers, and for foreign workers to work in the United States.
On April 8, 2008, the entire quota for fiscal year 2009 was reached.
This shows that an employer who wishes to hire H-1B employees must apply as soon as possible, to avoid having to wait another year.
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Last Modified: 03-09-2011 11:57 AM PST
