FY 2025 H-1B Visa Comprehensive Guide

The H-1B visa is a document placed in your passport allowing entry into the U.S. for a specific purpose and duration. Conversely, H-1B status refers to your legal status within the U.S., governed by the terms under which you were admitted, such as your employment eligibility.

As a current international employee already in the United States, when your employer submits an H1B application on your behalf and it is approved, you will typically automatically obtain H-1B work status in October of the same year. You only need to apply for an H1B visa when you need to leave and re-enter the United States.

The total cost for the H-1B application starts at $2,540.

Below is the breakdown of the fee type, fee amount in USD, and details of the fee.

While it is everyone's hope to receive a new job offer during the H-1B grace period, it is important to acknowledge that finding a new job is not guaranteed. Therefore, it is advisable to have backup plans in place in case you are unable to secure employment within this period. Even if you are unable to find a job during this time, there are alternative options you can consider to continue working. Here are a few commonly recommended strategies:

(1) Switch to a Visitor Visa B1/B2

This is a visitor visa but also a short-term transitional visa. You can wait until you find a suitable job and then switch back to H-1B.  However, please note that there is a limit of 6 months for the duration of stay after switching to B status.

(2) Switch to H4 or another partner visa (if applicable)

This is a dependent visa for family members of those holding an H1B visa, but H4 itself does not allow for work unless you have an EAD card. However, to apply for a work permit, the H1B partner must have submitted the I-140 and it must have been approved by USCIS.

(3) Switch to an F1 visa

Enroll in a better graduate program or attend a Day 1 CPT university (where the academic pressure is manageable, and you can later work full-time/part-time directly under CPT). Once you find a new job that supports H-1B, you can switch back to H-1B status at any time. For specific considerations when looking for Day 1 CPT universities, you can check here.

An H-1B extension allows visa holders to continue working in the U.S. beyond their initial 3-year authorization, up to a maximum of 6 years. Applicants must have their employer file a petition for extension before their current H-1B status expires. It's crucial for both the employer and the employee to start the extension process well in advance to ensure continuous employment eligibility.

The application process and preparation of materials for an H-1B Extension are similar to those for the initial H-1B application, except that a lottery is not required for extensions. Employers need to reapply to the Department of Labor for an LCA, prepare the Form I-129, pay the application fees, and include the I-797 approval notice from the initial H-1B application, recent three months' payslips to prove that the beneficiary has been continuously working for the employer, along with other standard documents like the passport, I-94 record, and educational certificates.

For international employees not selected in the H-1B lottery, there are several alternatives to consider. These include applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension if eligible, enrolling in further studies to maintain student status (such as enrolling in a Day 1 CPT university), or seeking other visa categories such as O-1 for individuals with extraordinary abilities, L-1 for intra-company transfers, or even the TN visa for Canadians and Mexicans. Each option has its own set of requirements and benefits, offering various pathways to continue living and working in the U.S.