The H1B visa is the most popular visa for immigrants hoping to one day to settle down in America. This visa allows immigrants to live and work in the USA and in time, apply for permanent residency. However, it is extremely hard to get. The US President Trump’s administration has recently introduced a new set of provisions for US-based companies sponsoring H1B visa holders that make this process even more difficult.
Who can Sponsor an H1B Visa?
The application for this type of visa must be filed by the company hiring the applicant. What is important to note is that not all US companies can sponsor an H1B visa applicant. To be eligible to sponsor an H1B visa applicant, the company must meet a number of conditions. Amongst other things, they must prove that:
- The employee will be paid the same remuneration as other employees.
- The employee will receive the same benefits as other employees.
- The employee will not have a negative effect on the working environment.
- The employee is not being hired to fill a gap during an active labor dispute.
Statements attesting to the above must be filed in a Labor Condition Application (LCA) and submitted to the Department of Labor.
Companies that hire a substantial number of foreign workers are known as H1B dependent companies. These companies must also prove that by hiring a foreigner, they are not displacing a US worker for a similar position and that an honest effort has been made to hire locally before having to turn towards foreign workers.
| Total Number of Employees | Foreign Employees |
|---|---|
| Less than 25 | 7 |
| 26-50 | 12 |
| More than 50 | 50% |
New Provisions for H1B Sponsors
The US administration has made an additional provision under which the company wanting to sponsor an H1B visa applicant will now have to disclose the total number of foreigners employed by them in the LCA. The updated form will need the sponsoring companies to fill out details such as:
- All the positions at which H1B workers are currently employed including short-term
- Estimated number of H1B workers are each place
- Clear identification of all secondary entities using H1B workers
- Identification of all entities employing H1B workers solely on the basis of educational qualifications.
Companies can file a fresh application for an H1B visa applicant only after their LCA is approved by the Labour Department.
Also See
- H1B Visa Status: Change is in the Air and the India May Benefit
- No Modification to H1b Visa Extension Policy
- New H1B Visa Rules – Things You Should Know
- H1B Visa – Everything You Should Know
- New USCIS Policy Make it Easier To Deny H1B Visa Applications
- Fewer H1B Visa Applications by Indians Approved In 2017
- How to Apply for H1B Visa Extensions
- H1B Visa Petitions to be Submitted Electronically
