How to Find and Qualify for H1B Jobs

H1B jobs are some of the most sought after work arrangements for foreign nationals in the United States. The H1B visa enables US employers to hire foreign professionals to work in specialty occupations for three to six years. What makes H1B work arrangements so attractive to prospective immigrants is that, unlike other visas, H1B visas are ‘dual intent’ permits. In other words, there is no penalty for having an intention to try for permanent residence or citizenship. This makes H1B positions the perfect opportunities for professionals who would like to make a permanent home in America.

 

Qualifying for an H1B Visa

 

The H1B Visa is open to both professionals as well as international students looking for training and employment. As mentioned earlier, H1B permits are issued primarily to those in ‘specialty occupations’. A ‘specialty occupation’ is defined as any profession that requires a US bachelor's degree (or its foreign equivalent) in a body of specialized knowledge, and also, one that requires the candidate to apply said knowledge for theoretical purposes and/or practical applications. 

 

Common occupation categories for H1B jobs include Accounting, Advertising, Banking, Engineering, Finance, HealthCare/Medical, IT, Legal, Marketing, Management, PR, Recruiting, Scientific Research, Sales, Teaching, Telecom, etc.

 

In order to be eligible for an H1B visa, a potential immigrant needs to pass one or more of three criteria. They should either have a US Bachelor's degree or Master’s Degree (or their foreign equivalents); or they should have a minimum of 12 years’ work experience, or they should have a combination of higher education (diploma, other 2+ year degrees etc.) and work experience (at least six years’ worth).

 

A candidate’s eligibility for H1B visa is then rated using a point system. Candidates get 3 points for each year spent at a recognized university or college and 1 point for every year of work experience. A candidate needs a total of 12 points to qualify.

 

Finding an H1B sponsor

 

Eligible candidates must find someone who can sponsor their stay in the United States. H1B immigrants are sponsored by individual companies or organizations that wish to employ them. Consequently, the first step to getting an H1B visa is to find a US organization that is willing to hire you and sponsor your visa application. 

 

Most companies now prefer the online interview format when interviewing potential international employees. Spend some time researching the ins and outs of giving an interview via webcam or video conferencing. 

 

Whenever possible, it’s best to look for H1B employment with an established company. This makes it easier for immigrants to build up industry contacts in the US. This, in turn, makes it easier for them to find better jobs once their term of employment is over. 

 

Networking is essential to find out reliable information on the potential employer. For instance, how does the salary and benefits offered by a potential employer compare with industry standards? Do they provide any sort of training? How valuable are their training programs?

 

To conclude, take your time choosing a sponsor to get the best H1B jobs.