Do you want to transfer jobs with an H1B visa? Well, the good news is that you don’t have to enter the lottery all over again! With this process, you can stay with your employer while job hunting. But how does it work? How do you identify the top opportunities? This guide will dissect it all, so you can make your next move with confidence.
Let’s get into it!
Table of contents
- What Is the H-1B Visa?
- What is an H1B Transfer?
- What are the Best Industries and Companies for H1B Transfer Jobs?
- H1B Transfer Process — What To Expect Steps In Process
- What is the Cost of Applying for a HB1 Visa?
- H-1B Lottery Process
- H-1B CAP Timeline
- H-1B Stamping
- How to Make Yourself Stand Out to Visa-Friendly Employers When They Have Job Openings on an H1B
- FAQs on the HB1 Visa
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendations
What Is the H-1B Visa?
The H-1B Visa is a non-immigrant Visa that enables US employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. Those occupations usually require a bachelor’s degree or similar in a particular field.
What to Know About the H-1B Visa to transfer jobs:
Specialty occupation
The position must require a bachelor’s or higher degree in the specific specialty (or its equivalent) as a minimum for entry into the occupation in the United States.
Employer Sponsorship
An employer based in the U.S. is required to sponsor the foreign worker and submit the appropriate petitions to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Annual Cap
New H-1B visas have an annual cap, and if demand exceeds the cap, it runs on a lottery system.
Lottery System
When 7% of the number of applicants exceeds the cap, a lottery system is implemented to randomly choose which petitions will be processed.
Length of Stay
The initial period of H-1B status is for three years and can be extended.
Dual Intent
H-1B holders can demonstrate an intent to immigrate permanently.
You should also read: H4 Visa Interview Questions: Avoid These Mistakes!
What is an H1B Transfer?
This is when an H1B transfer is done, which enables visa holders to change employers while remaining in a legal work status in the U.S. Unlike a brand new H1B application, there’s no annual cap it’s subject to, and you can start working with your new employer the very moment they file the transfer petition with USCIS.
What are the Best Industries and Companies for H1B Transfer Jobs?
Different industries have different H1B transfer jobs available. Some have come to be known for actively recruiting international talent, others have been more reluctant. The good news? Industries such as tech, healthcare, finance, and even startups are hunting for highly skilled talent.
Tech Industry
H1B workers are generally drawn to the tech industry. Giants like Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta have a permanent demand for software engineers, data scientists, and AI specialists, these companies prioritize expertise rather than location and the immigration process.
Healthcare industry
The healthcare industry, particularly, hospitals and research facilities are another major contributor. Doctors, medical researchers, and healthcare IT professionals are also recruited on H1B transfers because there is a great need for skilled labor in these positions. If you’re in health care, somebody probably is standing by to file your transfer.
Finance
Financial services firms such as Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, and Citibank all have a global outlook. Hot markets for H1B transfers include roles in quantitative analysis, financial technology (FinTech), and risk management. This is your playground — if you have a math, finance or economics background.
Startups
You don’t have to try for the Fortune 500. Many startups especially in tech hubs such as Silicon Valley, Austin and New York are lenient with H1B transfers. They’re nimble, they want talent now and they frequently partner with immigration attorneys to facilitate the process.
Pro Tip: Search for job boards like Hired, LinkedIn, and Indeed, but don’t forget to also search for companies that appear in the H1B Employer Data Hub on the USCIS website. It shows which companies already have filed for H1B petitions so you can focus on visa-friendly employers this time around.
We think you should read: Visa Interview Questions You MUST Prepare For — And How to Nail Every Answer!
H1B Transfer Process — What To Expect Steps In Process
H1B transfer might sound intimidating (the process), but it is easier compared to starting from the scratch. Step by step, here’s how it works:
Step 1: Get a Job Offer
Get a Job Offer from an H1B Transfer Sponsoring Employer. Make sure they know what the process looks like — not every HR department does.
Step 2: LCA (Labor Condition Application) Filed by Employer
Employer should file an LCA with the Department of Labor before H1B transfer petition can be filed. This will guarantee that you’ll be paid the market rate for your role and location.
Step 3: Submit Form I-129 to USCIS
After obtaining the LCA approval the Employer files FORM I-129 with the USCIS. This document is a complete record of your job, salary, and qualifications.
Documents You Need:
- Passport
- Current H1B visa
- Either a recent pay stub(s) (to show that you are still technically in visa status)
- Letter of offer from the new company
- Previous H1B approval notices (Form I-797)
Step 4: Wait for a Decision (or Get to Work Right Away)
Here is the exciting bit — the second USCIS receives your transfer petition (also known as receipt notice), you can begin work for your new employer. You don’t have to wait for approval, although it’s always nice if you can.
Processing Times:
- Normal Processing: 2-6 months
- Premium Processing: 15 calendar days (for a $2,500 fee)
Did You Know?
More than one H1B transfers can be filed for you at the same time. This allows you to obtain offers from two companies and choose the most lucrative one!
Check out: Well Detailed Guide On How To Apply For Green Card Sponsorship Jobs
What is the Cost of Applying for a HB1 Visa?
The registration fee has increased per registration to $215. One registration is for one beneficiary.
The H-1B registration fee is collected from only the registrants or their representative, and it is non-refundable; it will need to be paid before a registrant is eligible to submit a registration for a beneficiary for the H-1B cap.
For the FY 2026 H-1B cap season, the U.S. Department of the Treasury has cleared a credit card daily transaction limit increase from $24,999.99 to $99,999.99 per day for H-1B registrations and petitions submitted online using a single credit card. This adjustment is based on stakeholder feedback and the high volume of previously received H-1B registrations that surpassed the daily credit card threshold.
Petitioners who file with a credit card (with daily transaction limit of $24,999.99 per credit card per day) have a limit of $24,999.99 per credit card per day.
H-1B Lottery Process
When the number of H-1B petitions filed exceeds the annual cap, the USCIS lottery system randomly selects which petitions it will process. Due to this lottery process, receiving an H-1B visa has an element of luck on the line, making understanding the timeline and important dates necessary.
H-1B CAP Timeline
Registration Window: Each year, a week-long registration window for the H-1B Cap Lottery opens in early March. These dates vary each year and are announced by USCIS.
Lottery Seed: If applicable, the lottery takes places soon after the sign-up period ends.
Petition Filing Window: Not more than 90 days after the selection of applicants, the successful individuals have to file their complete H-1B petitions.
LCA (Labor Condition Application)
Timeline: Usually takes a few weeks (or is faster with e-filing).
(Disclaimer: The LCA has to be certified prior to filing the H-1B petition).
I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker):
Regular processing: This may take several months — current estimates are anywhere from 2-7 months depending on the service center.
Premium Processing (for an additional fee): 15-calendar-day processing time guaranteed. Currently, the average processing time for premium is 0.4 days.
H-1B Stamping
H-1B visa stamp is a physical visa that you obtain from a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad and is placed in your passport. It is the official permission to enter the U.S. in H-1B status. Here’s how that plays into the H-1B process:
If you were granted H-1B status via an application you sent in while in the United States (known as a “change of status”), you are not automatically issued an H-1B visa stamp on your passport. Instead, there’s an H-1B approval notice (Form I-797) that enables you to work on U.S. soil but doesn’t give you the stamped approval to return if you leave the U.S.
If you travel outside the U.S. and need to reenter on H-1B status, then the H-1B visa stamp is exactly what you need. To receive it, you have to go to the interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate, at which time consular officers will examine your documents and eligibility.
In summary, you need the H-1B visa for traveling abroad and entering the U.S. again, while the approval notice (Form I-797) permits you to live and work in the U.S. in H-1B status.
Read also: How to Go from R1 Visa to Green Card? All You Need to Know!
How to Make Yourself Stand Out to Visa-Friendly Employers When They Have Job Openings on an H1B
Everyone hates the job hunt, but when you’re on an H1B visa, the stakes are sky high. You’re not simply a job seeker — you’re a job seeker who needs an employer who will (and can) sponsor your visa. So how do you differentiate yourself in such a competitive landscape?
Tailor Your Resume for H1B Employers
Visa-friendly employers want very specific things: specialized skills, stability in your work history, and proof that you are worth the sponsorship pain. Make sure to:
- Emphasize your technical skills (i.e. computer programming, data analytics, financial modeling).
- Demonstrate advancement in your roles — companies want to invest in someone who has growth potential.
- Explain your current visa status in two lines — this expresses transparency.
Tip: On LinkedIn, keywords such as “H1B visa transfer jobs” or “visa sponsorship” or “employment authorization” can work wonders. Most recruiters skim resumes for these terms.
Network Like Your Visa Is At Stake (Because It Is)
The majority of job openings never reach public job boards. Networking is crucial.
Check Out LinkedIn: Get to H1B-focused groups where employers friendly to visas actively post openings.
Network With Recruiters: Some recruiters focus on H1B placements. Get in touch and tell them you’re available for work.
Go to Job Fairs & Meetups: Networking events are also great venues for finding employers who can sponsor visas.
Nail The Interview By Tackling The Visa Question Right Away
At some point during the interview, you know it’s coming: “Do you need visa sponsorship?”
Be honest but confident. Something like, “Yes, I am on an H1B visa right now. I’m due for an inter-office transfer, and I’ve done so and kept my status. I am happy to send you any documents that you need.”
Prove you’re low risk — talk about how you’ve always been in valid status; that you can start working as soon as they file the petition.
Be Flexible, But Know Your Value
Many H1B job seekers fear negotiating, as they believe a dependency on their visa puts them at a disadvantage. Don’t fall into that trap. Any company that truly values what you bring to the table will compensate you at market value.
Research the average salary for the role you’re applying for on sites like Glassdoor and Levels to see what your peers are earning.
Read also: H4 Visa Interview Questions: Avoid These Mistakes!
FAQs on the HB1 Visa
The dates change every year, so make sure to refer to USCIS’ information page to know the exact dates for the new fiscal year.
To find out if you can file for an H-1B visa, check your USCIS online account The account will provide updates on your application status.
Yes, the H1B visa is usually eligible for premium processing. To request premium processing, you must file Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, and submit the filing fee to USCIS. You may do so simultaneously with your Form I-129 petition filing. If you already have a pending petition, you MAY be able to request premium processing later — submit your form to the same service center that received your original Form I-129.
A valid visa permits you to travel to a U.S. port of entry and apply to enter the U.S. If you leave the U.S. temporarily for travel and return, you can be admitted on H-1B status as long as your H-1B visa is still valid. You might want to take some proof of employment or a proof of your visa being valid with to show at the border.
If you are chosen, you and your employer may apply for a H-1B on your behalf. USCIS will provide you with a more specific filing period and location on your H-1B Registration Selection Notice, but typically you have about 90 days to apply for the visa if selected. You are able to apply for your visa straight up to six months prior to your visa start date.
If your H-1B is cap-subject and has been selected for a visa application, the selection notice will indicate the USCIS address where your application may be filed based on your employer’s primary office address. You can file your application at the USCIS California service center if, for example, the H1-B visa cap doesn’t affect you (e.g. you’re employed by an institutes of higher education).
Unless your H-1B is for a project of shorter duration, the duration of an initial H-1B visa is usually 3 years and may be extended to 6 years in total. For this, your employer must again file Form I-129 for you and any supporting paperwork, and submit the filing fee.
The H1B visa is a dual-intent one, which means that yes, you can file for a green card.
H-1B visas can be sponsored by any employer in the U.S. If the employer has their IRS Tax ID Number, they can even register to file a petition on behalf of you.
As the H-1B visa is an employment-based visa type and your employer will need to fill out certain forms on your behalf, you will need a job offer before you are eligible for an H-1B visa application.
No. In June 2020, the Trump Administration signed an executive order suspending the entry of H-1B visa holders to the US (processing of H-1Bs did not stop). Further orders and rules sought to curb the H-1B program but were all invalidated.
Yes, you can bring your spouse and/or any unmarried children under 21 as dependents on H-4 visas.
An H-1B visa is good for three years and can be renewed for a maximum of six.
It depends. If your spouse has an H-4 visa, they can apply for employment authorization if you, the H-1B visa holder, are on a track to receive a green card.
The number of H-1B visas for each year has a set cap by the government. Currently, there’s a cap of 65,000 visas per fiscal year, plus 20,000 additional visas for anyone with a master’s degree or above.
The H-1B1 is a United States nonimmigrant visa for citizens of Chile and Singapore working in specialty occupations. The annual limit on H1B1 visas is 6,800 — 1,400 for Chile and 5,400 for Singapore.
One of the specific requirements of the H-1B petition is that the employer must provide the Department of Labor (DOL) with evidence that they will pay the employee the prevailing wage or the employer’s actual wage, whichever is higher. The prevailing wage is the salary given to employees in comparable jobs in the same geographic area, while the actual wage is the one that the employer pays its employees in similar jobs.
If you are on an H-1B and you have lost your job due to layoffs or an economic downturn in the US, you will no longer have valid status. But there’s a 60-day grace period from the date on which you were let go, during which you need to either apply for a change of employer; file for a change of status; or leave the U.S.
Depending on the complexities of your case, or if you simply want extra peace of mind while going through the extension process, it may be useful to get the help of an immigration lawyer for your H-1B extension application.
Conclusion
Switching H1B jobs? It’s totally doable! Think of it as a fresh start, not that scary. A new company files for your H1B, and you keep working in the US. Just make sure the new job’s legit and pays fairly. Stay positive, keep organized, and you’ll navigate it smoothly. Tons of people do it, and you can too! It’s your career, and you’ve got this! Good luck!
References
- Prodigy Finance- Changing jobs on a H1b Visa in the US
- Dice– H1b Visa to Transfer Jobs in the US
- Naukri.com– H1b Transfer jobs in the US
