WHAT ARE THE H-1B SPECIALITY OCCUPATIONS ?
The H-1B is designed for ‘speciality occupations’. This has been defined as being those ocupations which require a high degree of specialized knowledge. This typically means the individual will be a graduate with at least three years of post-graduate experience within the occupation, and the degree being directly related to the occupation. A Bachelor’s degree is usually acceptable, however, there are some professions that require stricter entrance requirements. Individuals within these professions are required to hold higher degrees than are deemed necessary to do the job. A non-graduate may be employed on an H-1B visa when they can claim to be ‘graduate equivalent’, usually by virtue of 12 or more years of experience. WHO IS ENTITLED TO A H-1B STATUS, AND FOR HOW LONG? The requirements include: • a job offer from a U.S. employer • the employee must possess a minimum requirement of an university baccalaureate degree in a specialty occupation • a salary commensurate with the prevailing
