The strength of U.S. companies lies largely in the quality of their employees. Many U.S. employers actively recruit worldwide for professional talent in fields ranging from Information Technology (IT) specialists, accountants, and market research analysts, to professors and scientists. The H1B Visa (Professional in a Specialty Occupation) allows a U.S. employer to fill a position requiring the minimum of a baccalaureate in the particular field with a qualified worker from abroad. The foreign worker must possess that U.S. degree or an acceptable foreign alternative. In some cases, a combination of studies and relevant experience may substitute for the degree if it is determined by a credentials expert to qualify the foreign professional.

What We Can Do For You : At the Murthy Law Firm, we can consult with you to determine that the nature of the position and the beneficiary's background are appropriate for the H1B, and suggest alternatives if the initial proposal is not a viable option. We can advise both the employer and prospective employee regarding the H1B documentation requirements and legal issues. We can also prepare paperwork and submit it to the Department of Labor and USCIS. If applicable, we can prepare and file applications for dependent family members, as well. For those who require or choose consular processing, we can assist with applying for the H1B and H-4 (dependent) visas at the appropriate consulate abroad if needed.

NewsBriefs are also available under Work Visa. These articles effect most of those on any nonimmigrant or temporary work visa.

Note : Below are overviews and articles relevant to this section. For current
U.S. immigration news items, click NewsBrief and other links on the right.

Articles common to most types of Work Visas are available from the main page of this section. See also  L-1 and Other Work Visas.

L-1 & H1B Visas : A Comparison Posted Apr 11, 2003
The decrease of the H1B cap from 195,000 to 65,000 since October 1, 2003 has made it especially important to consider alternatives to the H1B program. The L-1 visa is often an attractive option for employers. Outline for our readers are the major differences and advantages of each of these classifications.

Shoplifting Serious Problem for Immigrants Posted Jun 21, 2002
Many newcomers to the U.S. do not realize that seemingly minor crimes can have very serious immigration consequences. Caution dictates that one control any urge to commit a "minor" crime like shoplifting.

Overview : H1B Visas (Part I) Posted Sep 15, 2003
The first of our 3-part series on the H1B visa, this part explains Specialty Occupation, and Employer Responsibilities, and gives a brief outline of the H1B visa process.

Overview : H1B Visas (Part II) Posted Sep 15, 2003
In Part II of our H1B Overview,  we provide further detail about the wage requirements and employer recordkeeping responsibilities under the law.

Overview : H1B Visas (Part III) Posted Sep 15, 2003
In this third and final segment of our H1B overview, we discuss the six-year limit on stay and its exceptions, the two provisions of the new law enabling extensions beyond six years, as well as the new portability and quota-counting provisions and various miscellaneous issues not included in the prior two parts of the H1B Overview.

Overview :  H1B Count Posted Mar 18, 2000
In response to the many questions and eMails we receive pertaining to how the H1B cap and counting work, we provide this overview of the history of the H1B cap and a summary of events.

Immigration Basics : About Visas and Status Posted Aug 21, 2000
Under immigration law, the concept of a visa is distinct from the concept of status, though in discussions the words are often used interchangeably. "Visa," in immigration law, refers to the visa stamp issued by the U.S. consulate in the foreign country to enable a person to board a flight to the U.S. One person is given "status" at the U.S. Port of Entry, by the USCIS officer.

Ethical Concerns in Immigration Law Posted Jun 30, 2000
Not all immigration law practitioners focus on the ethical issues that crop up daily in the practice of immigration law. Yet ethical considerations are important to understand, not merely for lawyers, but also for Human Resource managers and companies, as well as their foreign national employees.

Amended H1B Petitions Posted Jun 30, 2000
In 1996, Legacy INS issued a Memorandum outlining the general policy guidelines on when a new or amended H1B petition must be filed. This Memo was issued to allay confusion about deadlines for filing an amended petition, though many questions still remained. We at The Law Office of Sheela Murthy try to respond to some of the persisting questions here.



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