 the h-1b is a non-immigrant visa in the united states under the immigration and nationality act, section 101(a)(15)(h). it allows u.s. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. if a foreign worker in h-1b status quits or is dismissed from the sponsoring employer, the worker must either apply for and be granted a change of status to another non-immigrant status, find another employer (subject to application for adjustment of status and/or change of visa), or leave the u.s. the regulations define a "specialty occupation" as requiring theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge in a field of human endeavor8 u.s.c. 1184(i)(1)(a) including but not limited to biotechnology, chemistry, architecture, engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, social sciences, medicine and health, education, law, accounting, business specialties, theology, and the arts, and requiring the attainment of a bachelorâs degree or its equivalent as a minimum8 u.s.c. 1184(i)(1)(b) (with the exception of fashion models, who must be "of distinguished merit and ability").8 u.s.c. 1101(a)(15)(h)(i) likewise, the foreign worker must possess at least a bachelor's degree or its equivalent and state licensure, if required to practice in that field. h-1b work-authorization is strictly limited to employment by the sponsoring employer. ==structure of the program== ===duration of stay=== the duration of stay is three years, extendable to six years. an exception to maximum length of stay applies in certain circumstances * if a visa holder has submitted an i-140 immigrant petition or a labor certification prior to their fifth year anniversary of having the h-1b visa, they are entitled to renew their h-1b visa in one-year or three-year increments until a decision has been rendered on their application for permanent residence. * if the visa holder has an approved i-140 immigrant petition, but is unable to initiate the final step of the green card process due to their priority date not being current, they may be entitled to a three-year extension of their h-1b visa. this exception originated with the american competitiveness in the twenty-first century act of 2000.american competitiveness in the twenty-first century act of 2000 * the maximum duration of the h-1b visa is ten years for exceptional united states department of defense project related work. h-1b holders who want to c
Employment_of_foreign-born United_States_visas_by_type