H-1B Specialty Occupation
H-1Bs are persons coming to the United States to engage in "specialty occupations." This includes all professionals holding bachelor's degrees and some persons who can show professionalism based on a combination of schooling and appropriate work experience. This class requires a prearranged job, which may be temporary or permanent in nature, in a professional field. The employer must also file an "attestation" with the U.S. Department of Labor that it will pay the foreign national the higher of the prevailing or actual wage for the job, and provide adequate working conditions, among other things. The initial period of admission is three years, with a second three-year period available. After remaining in the United States for six years on an H-1B visa, a foreign national must live abroad for one year before re-entering the United States in H or L visa status. The H-1B class is subject to an annual cap of 65,000.