To research the H-1B safely, go straight to official U.S. government sources rather than relying on intermediaries that promise shortcuts. Two references cover nearly everything you need to know about requirements, procedures, and updates.
- The USCIS (uscis.gov), the immigration agency responsible for the visa petition: it provides requirements, forms, filing instructions, and information on fees and processing times.
- The Department of Labor (dol.gov), involved in the certification step that verifies the offered working conditions and protects both the professional and the sponsoring employer.
On these portals you will find information in its most current version, which matters a great deal in a field where rules, fees, and timelines are revised frequently. Whenever an external site contradicts what is on an official site, the official version prevails.
Be wary of pages making miraculous promises or guaranteeing results, as these are often gateways to scams. If you have questions about your specific situation, consulting a qualified specialist alongside the official sources is the safest way to move forward.
Learn more about H-1B
- Initial validity
- 3 years
- Extension
- Up to 6 years total
- Annual cap
- 85,000 visas
- Processing
- 6-12 months
About the author
Victoria Harper
Editor-in-Chief
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.