Can I receive bonuses or commissions?

Yes, a professional on an H-1B visa can receive bonuses or commissions. The key point is that this variable compensation must be part of the approved employment terms and aligned with the conditions presented when the petition was filed.

The H-1B is designed for specialty occupations, and salary conditions must comply with the prevailing wage rules established by the United States Department of Labor and USCIS. Bonuses and commissions are compatible with this requirement, as long as they add to the total compensation and are not used to circumvent the required salary floor for the position.

• Additional payments must be included in the approved employment terms.
• The contract must document compensation in a transparent manner.
• Payments cannot reduce the salary below what is required for the role.

Because compensation structure affects visa compliance, it is worth confirming updated rules with the official source and working with a qualified professional when putting together the compensation package.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.