What is the H-1B1?

The H-1B1 is a U.S. work visa category created under free trade agreements, designed for professionals in specialty occupations. It is closely related to the traditional H-1B, but operates as its own pathway with specific rules and procedures.

The main difference lies in who can use each one:

• The H-1B is open to professionals from a wide range of countries.
• The H-1B1 is reserved for citizens of the countries covered by the relevant trade agreements, currently Chile and Singapore.

As with the H-1B, the applicant must have a job offer in an occupation requiring technical or specialized knowledge and must demonstrate that they meet the category’s requirements. In some respects, the H-1B1 process tends to be more straightforward, but this does not remove the need for professional qualifications or an employer sponsor.

Since the rules and eligible countries may change over time, it is worth confirming updated requirements from the official source (USCIS) and consulting with an immigration professional to determine which path, H-1B or H-1B1, makes the most sense for your situation.

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.