Petition-based employment category. Fees vary; MRV fee applies at visa stage.
H‑1B is a petition‑based U.S. work category for specialty occupations. The process has two big layers: (1) the petition/employer side, and (2) the consular visa stage (your interview and visa issuance).
Consistency is key: your job title, duties, salary, employer details, and start dates must match the approved petition and supporting documents. Bring clear proof of your qualifications (degree, transcripts, experience) that align with the role.
Fees: at the visa stage, the Department of State MRV fee applies for petition‑based categories (fees may change; confirm before paying).
Comparison: sponsorship‑driven routes share a common logic across countries (compare UK Skilled Worker), but U.S. petition + consular stages have their own timelines and document expectations.
Petition-based nonimmigrant visa application processing fee (MRV)
Official Department of State fee for petition-based categories (includes H among others). Fees may change; confirm before paying on travel.state.gov.
Official fees depend on category (MRV / SEVIS / IV). We list common amounts on this page; always confirm before paying.
Explore other visa options that might suit your needs