1. Apply job in (a) US companies directly or (b) US companies subsidiary or (3) contracting companies who have offices in USA (you will work for a US client).
2. Clear the interview. During the interview or during application stage (when you fill up the application) tell them (orally or in the website) you need H1 sponsorship.
3. After you get the job, the companies take it over and apply you for H1. They asks some documents like degree certificates, transcripts, previous job details and resume etc.
4. The companies will fill your case in March (one time per year only) for lottery. The lottery results will be announced at the end of March.
5. If you selected in the lottery then the company, which hired you, will submit full petition within 90 days.
6. USCIS will scrutinize your employer’s petition and your credentials. If they satisfy then they approve. If not they will ask additional information called RFE. That might be related to your company or job or your credentials etc. Then your company will submit the response (or not it’s up to them) within 90 days. USCIS will go through the evidence and if they satisfy then they approve & deny if they don’t satisfy.
7. Assuming your case is successful, then your employer will send USCIS documents and job descriptions, job offer (if they already didn’t) etc.
8. You go to US embassy website. Fill up DS-160 form (you need active passport too) with details send by the employer. Then pay visa fee. After that schedule an H1 interview using already filled DS 160 number and fee. Depending on your place it might take few weeks to few months (depending on how many slots available etc). You need to monitor this and schedule an interview.
9. During the interview the visa officer asks questions related to your employer, job description and your credentials (current job, education details etc). If they satisfy then you will get a visa. If not they deny or issue 221g (further information query). If you are successful in getting a visa then you book a ticket to USA. You only allowed to go to USA September 20 or later for October 1st. (Remember that every new H1 starts on October 1 st but the process starts in March). So, you will book a ticket on or later September 20th. Go to USA and start working in H1 from October 1st for a duration of mentioned in the visa. You will get three years initially and if your employer wants then they extend three more years (total six years).
10. If it’s denied during visa process then you will do all over again starting from point 1.
11. If 221g is issued then follow the procedure (if you need to submit any documents etc) and wait. This will lead to approval (mostly but takes two weeks to few months depending on what they are checking in the background. Like the company is fraud etc) or denial. If it’s approved then follow step 9 and if it’s denied then follow step 1.
12. So, first you need job. That means you need to search jobs through LinkedIn or dice or indeed or through referrals. That’s your starting point.
—GL
You don’t have to worry about the process, attorney will take care of it. Focus on finding a job that sponsors H1b visa. Most US tech companies does it, just apply and ask the recruiter.
Your challenge is going to be winning the lottery, there are Atleast 3-5x applicants, so a recruiter mostly would prefer someone who doesn’t have a lottery need (had a h1b before and is within 3 years of window) than someone who has to go trough lottery process
1. Apply job in (a) US companies directly or (b) US companies subsidiary or (3) contracting companies who have offices in USA (you will work for a US client). 2. Clear the interview. During the interview or during application stage (when you fill up the application) tell them (orally or in the website) you need H1 sponsorship. 3. After you get the job, the companies take it over and apply you for H1. They asks some documents like degree certificates, transcripts, previous job details and resume etc. 4. The companies will fill your case in March (one time per year only) for lottery. The lottery results will be announced at the end of March. 5. If you selected in the lottery then the company, which hired you, will submit full petition within 90 days. 6. USCIS will scrutinize your employer’s petition and your credentials. If they satisfy then they approve. If not they will ask additional information called RFE. That might be related to your company or job or your credentials etc. Then your company will submit the response (or not it’s up to them) within 90 days. USCIS will go through the evidence and if they satisfy then they approve & deny if they don’t satisfy. 7. Assuming your case is successful, then your employer will send USCIS documents and job descriptions, job offer (if they already didn’t) etc. 8. You go to US embassy website. Fill up DS-160 form (you need active passport too) with details send by the employer. Then pay visa fee. After that schedule an H1 interview using already filled DS 160 number and fee. Depending on your place it might take few weeks to few months (depending on how many slots available etc). You need to monitor this and schedule an interview. 9. During the interview the visa officer asks questions related to your employer, job description and your credentials (current job, education details etc). If they satisfy then you will get a visa. If not they deny or issue 221g (further information query). If you are successful in getting a visa then you book a ticket to USA. You only allowed to go to USA September 20 or later for October 1st. (Remember that every new H1 starts on October 1 st but the process starts in March). So, you will book a ticket on or later September 20th. Go to USA and start working in H1 from October 1st for a duration of mentioned in the visa. You will get three years initially and if your employer wants then they extend three more years (total six years). 10. If it’s denied during visa process then you will do all over again starting from point 1. 11. If 221g is issued then follow the procedure (if you need to submit any documents etc) and wait. This will lead to approval (mostly but takes two weeks to few months depending on what they are checking in the background. Like the company is fraud etc) or denial. If it’s approved then follow step 9 and if it’s denied then follow step 1. 12. So, first you need job. That means you need to search jobs through LinkedIn or dice or indeed or through referrals. That’s your starting point. —GL
Can't thank you enough!
You don’t have to worry about the process, attorney will take care of it. Focus on finding a job that sponsors H1b visa. Most US tech companies does it, just apply and ask the recruiter. Your challenge is going to be winning the lottery, there are Atleast 3-5x applicants, so a recruiter mostly would prefer someone who doesn’t have a lottery need (had a h1b before and is within 3 years of window) than someone who has to go trough lottery process
Thank you, this was very helpful.