Does the H-1B depend on my current income in my home country?

No. The H-1B does not depend on the income you currently earn in your home country. What matters is your qualifications for the position and the existence of a U.S. employer willing to hire and sponsor the visa.

In practice, the central criterion is the match between your profile and the role: education and experience that meet what the specialty occupation requires. Your previous salary or financial situation in your home country is not part of that analysis.

• The focus is on the nature of the position and your qualifications for it.
• The employer is the one who files the petition and demonstrates the need to hire a foreign professional.
• Your current income in your home country is not a requirement of the process.

In short, focus on the professional requirements and the structure of the petition, without worrying about what you earn today. When in doubt, it is worth confirming the current requirements with USCIS or with a specialist, and being wary of false promises circulating online.

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.