I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.
See all posts Frank Gogol4 Tips to Increase Your Chances of Getting an H-1B Visa
Updated on August 14, 2023
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At a Glance: To increase your chances of getting an H1B visa, follow these tips: 1) Submit your application early to meet the April deadline; 2) Only apply once to avoid rejection; 3) Let your employer pay the application fee; and 4) Ensure your employer meets USCIS requirements and has a good track record with successful H1B applications.
The race to secure an H1B visa is more competitive than ever. The lottery system may be a random selection, but there are a number of ways you can increase your chances of being one of the lucky applicants and also factors that will work against you with your application. Here are some simple tips you can follow to make sure you optimize your chances of securing an H1B visa.
4 Tips to Increase Your Chances of Getting an H1B Visa
1. Get your application in as quickly as possible
The USCIS accepts applications in April and, believe us, they come in thick and fast. The last thing you want to do is miss the deadline so it’s essential to be prepared and has your application ready with plenty of time to spare.
You’ll need to work with your employee to ensure that all of the prep work for your applications is completed in a timely manner, particularly if they’re new to the process of submitting applications or submitting an application for a number of different employees.
2. Only apply once
You might think that having more than one application will give you a better chance of being successful in the lottery system. In theory, you’re probably right and there is no legislation from the USCIS stating that you are not allowed to submit multiple applications, but, there are certain limitations and conditions.
If a single employer submits two applications for the same employee, both will be rejected. They will also be watching for multiple applications from affiliated companies so we suggest you play it safe and submit just one application.
This also counts if you have more than one employer. The USCIS is likely to reject applications for the same individual with an identical end-client project, even if they come from completely different employers.
3. Don’t pay your own fee
It is your employer’s duty to pay your H1B application fee. If you are encouraged to pay your own fee, you might want to think about finding a new employee because you could end up in some bother with the USCIS if they find out you have done so. However, if you choose to upgrade your application to premium processing, it is acceptable for the employee to pay the premium fee.
4. Make sure your employer is a “good” one
One of the most frequent causes of H1B applications failing is that employers fail to meet the requirements outlined by the USCIS. If asked, your employer should be able to provide all documentation to ensure they have filed all relevant tax returns and have the funds available to pay your salary should your application be successful. One way you can check how good your employer is — is by asking about the success rate of previous H1B applications, this can give you a quick and simple gauge of whether they are right to continue your application.
Read More
- 6 Ways to Find an H1B Visa Sponsorship
- How to Change Jobs on an H1B Visa
- The Non-ECR Category: A Guide
- H1B Visa Stamping: H1B Visa Interview Documents and More
- Complete Guide to the H1B to Green Card Process
- What Are My Options for Change of Status Visa Stamping If I Am Already in America?
- Guide to the H2B Visa
- H1B Transfer: How To Change Jobs on an H1B Visa
Conclusion
Do you have any experience with any of these things? Have you got any tips for people considering applying for an H1B visa? Why not let us know in the comments?
Frank Gogol
I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.