The H-1B visa program is a non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. The H-1B visa is valid for up to three years and can be renewed for up to three additional years. To be eligible for an H-1B visa, the foreign worker must have a bachelor’s degree or higher in a specialty occupation, and the employer must be able to demonstrate that there are not enough qualified U.S. workers available to fill the position.
The H-1B visa program has been controversial since its inception. Critics argue that the program allows employers to exploit foreign workers and that it depresses wages for American workers. Supporters of the program argue that it allows U.S. employers to fill critical skills gaps and that it helps to boost the U.S. economy. The H-1B visa program has been the subject of numerous lawsuits and has been reformed several times over the years. In 2020, the Trump administration implemented a number of changes to the H-1B visa program, including increasing the minimum salary for H-1B workers and making it more difficult for employers to obtain H-1B visas for workers who will be placed at third-party worksites.
