Breaking News (March 31, 2025): The USCIS has completed both the Regular Cap and Master’s Cap selections for the 2025–2026 H-1B lottery season. If you registered for the H-1B lottery, log in to your USCIS online account immediately to check your selection status.
The H-1B visa remains one of the most sought-after pathways for skilled foreign professionals to work in the United States. This non-immigrant visa allows qualified individuals to contribute to U.S. companies in specialized fields for a limited period of time.
Understanding the H-1B Visa
The H-1B visa program enables foreign nationals with at least a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) to work in a specialty occupation related to their academic field. It bridges U.S. employers with top global talent in industries such as technology, healthcare, engineering, education, and finance.
Most H-1B visa holders come from STEM disciplines—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—but other fields may also qualify depending on the nature of the role.
Top employers that frequently sponsor H-1B professionals include Amazon.com Services LLC, Infosys Limited, Cognizant Technology Solutions US, Google LLC, and Tata Consultancy Services Limited.
Understanding the H-1B Visa
One of the biggest advantages of the H-1B program is its broad eligibility. You don’t need to be a university professor or a high-level executive to qualify—what matters is that your position is a specialty occupation requiring specialized knowledge and a related degree.
If you’re planning to apply for an H-1B visa this year, it’s essential to understand what qualifies as a “specialty position.” At Green Card Link, our immigration attorneys guide professionals in determining whether their job and background meet the USCIS requirements.
What Is a Specialty Occupation?
Under U.S. immigration law, a specialty occupation is defined as a position that requires the theoretical and practical application of highly specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in the field as the minimum entry requirement.
In simpler terms, your job must require a degree directly related to the position’s duties. If you don’t have a degree in that field, relevant professional experience may be used as an alternative—typically, three years of work experience equates to one year of academic study.
Because the USCIS closely evaluates whether a job qualifies as a specialty occupation, consulting an immigration attorney at Green Card Link can help you present a strong case and avoid unnecessary Requests for Evidence (RFEs) or denials.
Common H-1B Job Categories
Below are some of the most common categories and examples of positions that often qualify for H-1B sponsorship. This list is illustrative—not exhaustive. Many other roles may also qualify depending on their required level of expertise.
Computer Science & Information Technology
- Software Engineer / Developer
- IT Manager
- Systems Analyst
- Programmer
- Data and Network Specialist
Architecture & Engineering
- Mechanical Engineer
- Aeronautical Engineer
- Industrial Engineer
- Drafter
- Surveyor
Health & Medicine
- Physician
- Dentist
- Surgeon
- Veterinarian
- Registered Nurse
Research & Education
- University Professor
- Research Scientist
- Secondary School Teacher
- Educator for Students with Disabilities
Business Management & Administration
- Construction Manager
- Transportation Manager
- Retail Trade Manager
- Insurance Manager
- Real Estate Manager
Science & Mathematics
- Biologist
- Psychologist
- Physicist
- Chemist
- Geologist
Finance & Marketing
- Accountant
- Sales Manager
- Budget Analyst
- Public Relations Specialist
- Advertising Manager
Legal, Library, and Social Sciences
- Lawyer
- Librarian
- Historian
- Political Scientist
Work With Experienced H-1B Visa Attorneys
Determining whether your position qualifies for an H-1B visa can be complex. The immigration attorneys at Green Card Link have extensive experience helping both employers and employees navigate every stage of the process—from registration and petition preparation to responding to USCIS inquiries.
If you’re preparing for the next H-1B filing season, contact Green Card Link today for a personalized consultation and find out how our immigration attorneys can help you secure your H-1B visa and advance your career in the United States.
Can I Change My H-1B Visa Job?
After receiving H-1B visa approval and entering the United States through your sponsoring employer, you may wonder whether you can change jobs. The good news is that the H-1B program offers flexibility through its portability provisions, allowing qualified workers to pursue new opportunities without jeopardizing their legal status. As long as your new position continues to meet the specialty occupation requirements, you can change not only your role but also your employer.
If you are staying with the same company but receiving a promotion or transferring to a different department, it’s important to verify that the new position still requires your specific degree and professional expertise. Before making any changes, it’s best to consult with an immigration attorney at Green Card Link to ensure your new role remains compliant with H-1B regulations.
For those switching employers, the new company must file a Form I-129 petition on your behalf. Once USCIS receives the petition, you may begin working for the new employer under the H-1B portability rule, provided you are maintaining valid status.
Salary Requirements for H-1B Visa Jobs
Before an employer can hire or sponsor an H-1B employee, they must obtain a Labor Condition Application (LCA) from the U.S. Department of Labor. This process determines the prevailing wage for your position based on the location and nature of your work.
The employer is legally required to pay at least this wage to ensure fair compensation and prevent the undercutting of local labor markets. While there is a minimum salary threshold tied to the prevailing wage, your income in your home country does not affect your eligibility for H-1B sponsorship.
There have been discussions in past administrations about restructuring the H-1B lottery system to prioritize higher-salary applicants. Although such proposals aimed to favor candidates with higher compensation levels, these changes were never fully implemented and remain subject to future policy adjustments. To stay updated on any new regulations or proposed reforms that may impact your eligibility, it’s wise to consult the immigration attorneys at Green Card Link, who continuously monitor legislative and policy developments.
What to Do After an H-1B Job Loss
Losing your job while on an H-1B visa can be stressful, but recent regulatory updates provide some protection. Under the Department of Homeland Security’s final rule, implemented in January 2017, H-1B holders are granted a 60-day grace period following termination or loss of employment.
During this period, you can:
- Find a new employer willing to sponsor your H-1B transfer
- Apply to change your visa status to another eligible category
- Make arrangements to leave the U.S. voluntarily
Failing to take action within 60 days may cause you to fall “out of status,” which can negatively impact your ability to obtain future U.S. visas or immigration benefits.
If you’ve recently lost your H-1B job or are concerned about your employment situation, at Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys can help you understand your options, assess your eligibility for new opportunities, and take prompt action to protect your legal status in the United States.
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Top H-1B Employers
Top H-1B Employers | Total Approvals |
AMAZON COM SERVICES LLC | 9,265 |
INFOSYS LIMITED | 8,140 |
COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS US | 6,321 |
GOOGLE LLC | 5,364 |
TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES LIMITED | 5,274 |
META PLATFORMS INC | 4,844 |
MICROSOFT CORPORATION | 4,725 |
APPLE INC | 3,873 |
HCL AMERICA INC | 2,953 |
IBM CORPORATION | 2,906 |
WAL-MART ASSOCIATES INC | 2,904 |
CAPGEMINI AMERICA INC | 2,795 |
INTEL CORPORATION | 2,520 |
DELOITTE CONSULTING LLP | 2,494 |
ERNST YOUNG US LLP | 2,335 |
TATA CONSULTANCY SVCS LTD | 2,294 |
AMAZON WEB SERVICES INC | 2,216 |
ACCENTURE LLP | 2,157 |
LTIMINDTREE LIMITED | 2,136 |
ORACLE AMERICA INC | 2,070 |
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS | 1,771 |
TESLA INC | 1,767 |
JPMORGAN CHASE AND CO | 1,719 |
WIPRO LIMITED | 1,634 |
COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS US CORP | 1,598 |
SALESFORCE INC | 1,525 |
NVIDIA CORPORATION | 1,519 |
AMAZON DEVELOPMENT CENTER US INC | 1,409 |
CISCO SYSTEMS INC | 1,330 |
AMAZON.COM SERVICES LLC | 1,328 |
TECH MAHINDRA AMERICAS INC | 1,199 |
QUALCOMM TECHNOLOGIES INC | 1,122 |
COMPUNNEL SOFTWARE GROUP INC | 1,002 |
BYTEDANCE INC | 997 |
LINKEDIN CORPORATION | 970 |
CITIBANK N A | 866 |
ADOBE INC | 787 |
MPHASIS CORPORATION | 785 |
INTUIT INC | 770 |
PWC ADVISORY SERVICES LLC | 753 |
GOLDMAN SACHS AND CO LLC | 740 |
BLOOMBERG LP | 701 |
CUMMINS INC | 699 |
MCKINSEY AND COMPANY INC UNITED ST | 694 |
UBER TECHNOLOGIES INC | 675 |
FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 673 |
CGI TECHNOLOGIES AND SOLUTIONS INC | 655 |
ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES INC | 641 |
DELOITTE AND TOUCHE LLP | 597 |
PAYPAL INC | 579 |
SERVICENOW INC | 578 |
ELEVANCE HEALTH INC | 552 |
EBAY INC | 545 |
ATOS SYNTEL INC | 542 |
RIVIAN AUTOMOTIVE LLC | 541 |
UST GLOBAL INC | 538 |
VIRTUSA CORPORATION | 524 |
APPLIED MATERIALS INC | 518 |
TIKTOK INC | 517 |
THE LELAND STANFORD JR UNIVERSITY | 502 |
HEXAWARE TECHNOLOGIES INC | 501 |
CAPITAL ONE SERVICES LLC | 498 |
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | 491 |
DFS CORPORATE SERVICES LLC | 482 |
LUCID USA INC | 478 |
WAL MART ASSOCIATES INC | 474 |
BANK OF AMERICA N A | 471 |
US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION | 471 |
GENERAL MOTORS | 468 |
AT AND T SERVICES INC | 466 |
PALO ALTO NETWORKS INC | 464 |
KFORCE INC | 462 |
KPMG LLP | 447 |
AMAZON DATA SERVICES INC | 440 |
COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS LLC | 440 |
WELLS FARGO BANK N A | 433 |
DOORDASH INC | 427 |
SYNECHRON INC | 420 |
OPTUM SERVICES INC | 419 |
AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SE | 413 |
MORGAN STANLEY SERVICES GROUP INC | 413 |
GOLDMAN SACHS SERVICES LLC | 408 |
FISERV SOLUTIONS LLC | 403 |
HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE COMPANY | 402 |
T-MOBILE USA INC | 396 |
BARCLAYS SERVICES CORP | 392 |
RANDSTAD DIGITAL LLC | 390 |
MAYO CLINIC | 390 |
THE BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP INC | 387 |
CAREMARK LLC | 382 |
CHARLES SCHWAB AND COMPANY INC | 381 |
MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC | 358 |
DELOITTE TAX LLP | 352 |
L AND T TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD | 351 |
WORKDAY INC | 347 |
VISA TECHNOLOGY AND OPERATIONS LLC | 336 |
EXPEDIA INC | 331 |
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST LOUIS | 330 |
VMWARE LLC | 326 |
INNOVA SOLUTIONS INC | 324 |
How the Immigration Attorneys at Green Card Link Can Help
Contact Us
When navigating the complex world of U.S. immigration, having a trusted expert by your side can make all the difference. Whether you’re an employee seeking to transfer your H-1B visa, an employer hiring international talent, or a professional unsure whether your position qualifies as a specialty occupation, working with an experienced immigration attorney ensures accuracy, compliance, and peace of mind.
At Green Card Link, our immigration attorneys are highly skilled in every aspect of the H-1B visa process—from identifying qualified sponsoring employers to preparing and filing petitions that effectively demonstrate the “specialty” nature of your role. We take pride in guiding clients through each step with personalized attention and up-to-date legal insight.
If you need help with an H-1B application, transfer, or any other employment-based visa matter, reach out to Green Card Link today. Our dedicated immigration team is ready to help you secure your future in the United States with confidence and clarity.