H-1B Visa Lawyers Denver – Boulder

Colorado H-1B Visa

The laws regarding the H-1B Visa are in constant flux and applicants seriously considering this category as a means of working in the U.S. on a temporary basis should stay informed and updated as much as possible. Since an applicant’s circumstances and the circumstances of his/her dependent family members may require special attention, the following information is not tailored to any one individual but provides general information about this category.

The H-1B Visa allows foreign workers to enter the U.S. and work in a variety of fields ranging from architecture and engineering to health and medicine. The H-1B visa offers a wide range of employment possibilities and is a logical first step toward permanent immigration.

In order to qualify for H-1B classification, the applicant must have at least a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its equivalent AND the job sought must require at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. Because this is not a self-petitioning category, the applicant must have a sponsoring employer in the U.S.

The spouse and unmarried children below the age of 21 are allowed to accompany or join the H-1B worker as H-4 dependents. However, they cannot work unless they qualify for a work visa. H-4 dependents can enroll and attend schools in the U.S. without obtaining a student visa.

H-1B Visa Process Steps

Since the H-1B visa requires a U.S. sponsor, the applicant must seek a U.S. employer who is willing to hire the applicant temporarily, pay the applicant the prevailing wage for the offered position and file the petition and supporting documents with the CIS (Citizenship and Immigration Services).

The petition process begins with the sponsoring employer filing a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor after obtaining a prevailing wage for the position. Upon obtaining an approved LCA the employer files the petition with Immigration. The petition must be filed with documentation that shows the job is a professional or specialty occupation and that the H-1B applicant is qualified for the position.

The sponsoring employer must file Form I-129 (Petition for Non-immigrant worker) and H supplement with the CIS office having jurisdiction over the place of employment. All employers must complete and file Form I-129W with the Form I-129 petition.

If either the employer or the applicant wishes to expedite the H-1B petition so that an initial determination is made within 15 days of the filing, s/he may request premium processing for an additional fee. The request is made by completing Form I-907.

After approval, Immigration will send Form I-797 (Notice of Action) to the employer. The employer will then notify the applicant and send all the required documents to the applicant who can then apply for his H-1B visa at the U.S. consulate in his home country.

H-1B Visa Documents

Both the applicant and the employer are required to submit documents for the H-1B visa.

The applicant is required to submit the following documents when applying for an H-1B visa abroad:

H-1B Visa Requirements

  1. A completed visa application (Form DS 160) with one recent photograph, 1 inches square (37mm x 37mm), of each applicant, with the entire face visible. The picture should be taken before a light background and without a head covering.
  2. A passport valid for travel to the United States for at least six months longer than your intended visit.
  3. Form I-797 (Notice of Action)
  4. A copy of the approved Labor Condition Application (LCA)
  5. A copy of the field and approved I-129H petition and supporting documentation which should include:
    • the applicant’s academic record.
    • education evaluation verifying that the applicant’s foreign academic record is equivalent to a U.S. bachelors degree.
    • A resume.
    • Recommendation letters from previous employers (if required).
    • Proof of any membership in relevant trade or professional organizations
    • A letter from your employer detailing the job and its requirements.
    • Current or updated letter from the employer confirming its intention to hire the applicant according the terms and conditions on its approved petition.
    • Employers most recent financial records or tax returns.

It is the employer’s responsibility to send the items listed in numbers 3 through 7 above to the applicant.

H-1B Visa Fees

Visa fees associated with obtaining the H-1B visa vary from country to country. Please visit the website for the U.S. Consulate/Embassy in which the H-1B visa is being applied.

H-1B Visa Lawyer

Our H-1B Visa lawyers at Murad & Murad, P.C. provide legal assistance with the preparation of all required immigration documents. U.S. companies and international workers contact our H-1B visa lawyers when they need assistance with an H-1B visa to bring a skilled worker to the U.S.

How will our Immigration Lawyer help you obtain an H-1B Visa?

Our H-1B visa lawyers have experience in work-based and employment-based immigration. We have helped many individuals and employers with their H-1B visa needs. We can advise you regarding the H-1B visa application and visa process. Our H-1B visa lawyers can help you fulfill your dream of living and working in the United States.

For a consultation with an H-1B visa lawyer at Murad & Murad, P.C., call 303-449-5535, or contact us.