H-1B1 Visa

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The United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement and the United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement, both of which went into force on January 1, 2004, produced a new non-immigrant work visa for Singaporeans and Chileans: the H1B1 visa.

What is a H1B1 Visa?

The H1B1 visa is similar to the H-1B visa in that it permits qualified professionals to reside and work in the United States for a limited period of time. The aim of the foreign citizen to visit the United States is the key distinction between the two sorts of visas. The H-1B visa category allows for "dual purpose" immigration, in which a foreign citizen comes to work in a professional capacity while simultaneously seeking to move to the United States.

Applying For A H1B1 Visa

Unlike the H-1B visa, there is no necessity for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to approve a Petition for Non-immigrant Worker. By submitting the appropriate non-immigrant visa application, a detailed employment offer letter, a Labor Condition Application (LCA) certified by the Department of Labor, and the relevant supporting documents, the candidate can apply for an H1B1 visa directly at the US Consulate in his or her home country.

Employers may find it advantageous to consider submitting H1B1 applications for suitable individuals due to the restricted supply of H-1B visas. The filing of H1B1 visa applications does not restrict Chilean and Singaporean individuals from filing standard H-1B visa petitions.

H1B1 Visa Application Process

There are various phases in the H-1B1 process:

After deciding to sponsor you for an H-1B1 visa, your employer must get a Prevailing Wage determination, either via the DOL iCERT system or an independent survey.

The employer must submit a Labor Condition Application (LCA) to the Department of Labor in the United States.

Once the LCA has been authorized by the Department of Labor and returned to you, the employer may provide you with the supporting papers, and you can apply for your visa at the US embassy. The following items are usually required

• Job offer letter, which includes a job description, projected hiring dates, and compensation
• Proof that the salary provided is the going rate
• Proof that the employer can pay the salary promised
• A letter in support of the application outlining the job being offered and the qualifications of the beneficiary
• Proof that the foreign national has maintained their status while in the United States, such as copies of their passports, I-94s, and other current and past immigration
• Academic and professional credentials
• Names and addresses of any relevant affiliates, subsidiaries, parent businesses, branches, and abroad offices, as well as other information. To qualify for a Blanket peti

Requirements for Singaporeans

Singaporean H-1B1 visa criteria:

• Singaporeans only.
• The US employment must be a "specialty vocation," requiring the application of specialist expertise. Specialty positions include engineering, math, physical sciences, computer sciences, medical and health care, education, biotechnology, and management and human resources.
• You must have a four-year post-secondary degree in your profession (although there are some exceptions to this requirement). Even without a postsecondary degree, you may qualify with similar job experience.
• You cant be self-employed.
• Temporary work in the US requires non-immigrant intent.

Processing time for H-1B1 Visas

The length of time required to wait at each consulate is different. In most cases, the visa will be granted the day following the meeting you had scheduled with the US Consulate (though the actual procedure may vary by Consulate). The approval process for USCIS petitions for extensions of stay or changes to immigration status typically takes between four and five months.

For detailed information on specific parts of the USA visa process, you can refer to the links to the right to find the answer to your query. If you are unable to find any particular information, please contact us via email.

Why can only Chileans and Singaporeans apply?

The H-1B1 is exclusively accessible to Chileans and Singaporeans according to treaties. On September 3, 2003, the US negotiated Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Singapore and Chile, both of which enabled a new non-immigrant work visa for Singaporean and Chilean citizens: the H1B1 visa.

What is a specialty occupation?

A bachelor's or higher degree in the specified specialization (or its equivalent) is required for admittance into employment in the United States.