The H-1 Visa program was created by the Immigration Act of 1990 to allow employers in the US to hire workers from other countries on a temporary basis, for their specialized knowledge and/or higher education degree. According to a Pew Research Center report, during fiscal 2001 through 2015, almost 1.8 million H-1B visas were granted, of which more than half were awarded to Indian nationals.
The report added that H-1B visas have been capped at 65,000 a year since 2005. However, an additional 20,000 visas are given to foreigners who have graduated from a US-based academic institution.
To obtain an H1-B Visa, the applicant needs to first find an employer who is ready to sponsor them to fill in a speciality position.
The employer must file an I-129 petition with the USCIS, if you or your employer is subject to the annual cap. If accepted, the applicant needs to qualify an interview to obtain the H1-B visa.
Here are a few questions that are commonly asked during the interview but need to be answered appropriately.
In this article…
Asking for Documents
- Good Morning. How are you doing today?
- Can I see your passport?
- Do you have any old passports?
- Can I see your Labor Condition Application (LCA)/H1B approval document (I-797)/no-immigrating petition application (I-129)?
Questions about your intentions of Visit
- Why are you visiting the US?
- Why do you want to work in the US?
- Have you ever lived outside your home country? If yes, for how long?
- Is this your fist H1B visa?
- Have you applied for visa for a country other than the US?
- Do you have any family members living in the US?
- Are you aware of the cost of living in the specific area you are planning to work in and stay?
- How are you planning to support yourself in the first month, before you receive the pay check?
- When will you be travelling to the US?
- What is your plan when your H1B validation period ends?
- Will you return to your home country? If yes, when and why?
Questions Regarding Your Educational Background and Experience
- Are you studying?
- From which university did you obtain your degree?
- Other than the bachelor’s degree, have you pursued higher education? If yes, what was your thesis about?
- Can I see your certificates?
- Do you have any experience in this field/industry?
- Have you worked in any fields related to this field/industry?
- Where are you working currently? How much is your salary? What is your role?
- In your current job, how long have you been working?
- What all software are you familiar with?
Questions about Your Sponsoring Employer
- What kind of business are you going to work for in the US?
- Where is the sponsoring employer located?
- How did you come to be in touch with your sponsoring employer?
- Why are you joining the company?
- How many people work for your sponsoring employer?
- What would be your expected tasks and duties?
- Who is the CEO of your company?
- Have you received an offer letter?
The questions can go on and on. The key to success, however, is to remain patient and answer with complete honesty and confidence.
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