H-1B is an employment-based, non-immigrant visa for temporary workers in America. It is an employer-sponsored visa, meaning an employer must offer a job and petition for your H-1B visa with the US immigration department. Once approved, this petition acts as a work permit, allowing you to obtain a visa stamp and work in the US for the sponsoring employer.

The H-1B visa is issued for specialty occupations that require both theoretical and practical application of specialized knowledge, typically backed by a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.

The US employer must demonstrate the genuine necessity for hiring a foreign worker/visa holder, and prove that the role cannot be fulfilled by a local citizen who might either be unavailable or lacking the necessary qualifications, whether academically or professionally.

Regarding the time limit on the H-1B Visa:

Initial approval is granted for 3 years, and this can be extended in increments of up to 3 years. The total duration of stay on the H-1B Visa cannot exceed 6 years.