Allow Us to Help You Secure Your H-1B Alternative Visa

An H-1B alternative visa is a popular visa type for people seeking work in the United States. At O1 Experts, we can help you navigate the application process to ensure you get approved and can begin working. 

Contact Us Today to Get Started

Reach out to O1 Experts to speak with us about your needs with obtaining an H-1B visa. We will ask you a few quick questions to determine your eligibility and begin helping you prepare your application. Please contact us with any questions about your H-1B visa application. We look forward to helping you!

What is an H-1B Visa?

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa category in the United States designed for skilled foreign workers seeking employment in specialized occupations. It enables U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations that require technical expertise in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), among others.

These visas carry a specific window of validity and often require some type of education in the designated field for the job. If you are unsure whether you need an H-1B alternative for the work you are looking to do, contact us and we can help you determine which visa is most appropriate for your situation. 

What is the Purpose of an H-1B Visa?

H-1B visas address the shortage of skilled workers in specific fields within the United States. They allow employers to recruit foreign talent to fill positions that require specialized knowledge or expertise not readily available domestically. Foreign workers must have appropriate documentation to work in the United States, and an H-1B visa is often the best method of ensuring you can work successfully. 

H-1B Visa Application Process

There are multiple steps to successfully obtain an H-1B visa. At O1 Experts, we help you with each step and file on your behalf to ensure your application is approved in a timely manner. 

Secure a Job Offer

The first step is for the foreign worker to secure a job offer from a U.S. employer who is willing to sponsor them for an H-1B visa. The job must be in a specialty occupation that requires specialized knowledge and qualifications.

Labor Condition Application (LCA)

Before filing the H-1B petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the employer must obtain a certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) from the Department of Labor (DOL). The LCA shows that the employer will comply with certain labor standards, including prevailing wage requirements. The company you apply to work for will be able to verify whether they have an LCA and are allowed to hire foreign workers with H-1B visas. 

File Form I-129

We will file Form I-129 with USCIS on your behalf. The petition must include supporting documents demonstrating the employer's need for the foreign worker's specialized skills and qualifications. It must also include documentation proving the worker's expertise in their field.

Wait for Approval

USCIS will review your H-1B petition and supporting documentation. If approved, you can proceed with the visa application process at a U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country. 

Attend Visa Interview

You must attend an interview at the U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country. During the interview, you may be asked about your qualifications, job offer, and intention to work in the United States. We can help you prepare for your interview by providing insight into what questions may be asked or what most interviews commonly assess.

Receive Visa and Travel to the U.S. 

Upon successful completion of the interview and any additional processing, you will receive your H-1B visa. At that point, you can then travel to the United States and begin working for their sponsoring employer in the approved specialty occupation per your visa.

Differences Between an H-1B Alternative and O-1 Visa Type

You may be familiar with O-1 visas, which are another visa type reserved for people with extraordinary ability in a specific category looking for jobs in the U.S. While both the H-1B visa and the O-1 visa cater to skilled foreign workers, they differ in several key aspects.

Eligibility Criteria

The H-1B visa is available to individuals working in specialty occupations that require specialized knowledge or expertise. The O-1 visa is for individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in their field, including the arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics.

Application Process 

The application process for an H-1B visa involves employer sponsorship, with the employer filing the petition on behalf of the foreign worker. O-1 visa applicants can self-petition or be sponsored by an employer or agent. As your freelance contract management firm, we can file both types on your behalf. 

Duration of Stay

The H-1B visa initially allows for a maximum stay of three years, with the possibility of extension up to a total of six years. The O-1 visa allows for an initial stay of up to three years, with extensions available in one-year increments indefinitely.

What Are the Benefits of Having an H-1B Visa Alternative?

Employment Opportunities 

The H-1B visa provides foreign workers with access to employment opportunities in specialized occupations in the United States. The most common fields associated with this visa type are technology, engineering, healthcare, and finance.

Legal Status

H-1B visa holders have legal authorization to live and work in the United States for the duration of their visa, allowing them to pursue long-term career opportunities and professional growth in the country. As a visa holder, you are entitled to income earned while working in the U.S. 

Flexibility

H-1B visa holders can change employers in the United States, provided the new employer files a new H-1B petition on their behalf. This portability allows foreign workers to explore new career opportunities and advance their careers within the United States. We can help you with each H-1B visa application required for your various job opportunities. 

Dependent Benefits

H-1B visa holders can bring their spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 to the United States on H-4 visas. While dependents cannot work, they can accompany the primary visa holder and may be eligible for certain benefits, such as education and healthcare. 

Potential for Permanent Residency 

The H-1B visa is a common pathway to permanent residency for skilled foreign workers in the United States. Many H-1B visa holders eventually transition to permanent residency through employment-based sponsorship. Establishing a paper trail of viable employment opportunities through H-1B visas puts you in good standing to eventually retain permanent residency should you choose to pursue it. 

Why Work With O1 Experts?

O1 Experts is dedicated to helping foreign workers obtain visas to seek employment in the United States. We have helped many people get visas for themselves, their spouses, and their children to ensure a smooth transition to moving and working in the U.S. 

We will help you gather all the supporting documentation needed to have your H1-B Alternative Visa approved. This may include letters of recommendation, contracts, itineraries, and any other relevant materials.

Another standout feature of O1 Experts is that we only charge an upfront fee for our assistance. We do not take any percentage of income earned while here in the U.S. Some freelance contract management companies do this, but we believe you are entitled to the money you earn while here. This is why our arrangements are set up with a transparent upfront fee. 

With our H-1B visa arrangements, you will have better negotiating power when securing contracts for work. We can provide guidance as you apply for new jobs and help you secure H1-B visa status for each.

How it Works

Step One: Contact Us

The first thing to do is reach out to O1 Experts about securing an H-1B Alternative Visa. We will learn more about your specific situation and determine your eligibility for the visa. 

Step Two: Gather Documentation

We will then begin helping you gather all the documentation needed per H-1B visa requirements. Any paperwork you have handy will be helpful in expediting the process, but we can also help you find whatever else you need. 

Step Three: Application Submission

Once everything is gathered, we will facilitate the application submission and keep you updated each step of the way. If there are any issues, we will help you resolve them to ensure your visa is approved in a timely manner. 

Step Four: Work in the United States

After your visa approval, you will be able to begin working for your designated employer with confidence that all the necessary paperwork is in place. This will protect your status as a documented worker and ensure you receive all income earned while here. 

Secure Your H-1B Alternative Visa With Help From the O1 Experts

Ready to begin working in the United States? Contact us to kickstart the process and be on your way to successfully working in your specialized field. You can contact us via email, phone, or fill out our form and someone from O1 Experts will be in touch to discuss your H-1B Alternative Visa.