What is H1-B?
H1-B visas are reserved for skilled, educated foreigners hired to perform jobs that cannot be filled with Americans. There is a great deal of controversy of the number H1-B’s being granted. It is also the number one source of flame-wars on alt.computer.consultants :-). An employer, not an employee, applies for the H1-B visa. That means you cannot simply apply for an H-1B, receive authorization to work in the US, and start approaching employers. Instead, you must find a position and then allow your employer to apply for the H-1B visa. Until recently, an individual in the US on an H-1B had to wait for government approval before switching from one employer to another. The new law includes provisions to increase the “portability” of H-1Bs. Now, an individual is able to start working for a new employer before the government approves the change in status from one employer to another. The H-1B visa allows individuals to stay in the US for a maximum of six years. If an individual wants to stay
