Glossary

H-1B visa

A temporary work visa for foreign professionals in specialty occupations, capped annually and allocated by lottery.

Also called: H-1B, specialty occupation visa, H-1B lottery

The H-1B is a nonimmigrant visa that lets U.S. employers hire foreign workers in "specialty occupations" that require at least a bachelor's degree, such as software engineering, accounting, medicine and research. The initial stay is up to three years and can be extended to six, with exceptions for those awaiting permanent residence.

Congress caps new H-1B visas at 65,000 a year, plus 20,000 for people with U.S. master's degrees or higher, with universities and some research organizations exempt from the cap. Demand exceeds supply so heavily that the government uses a random lottery, and registrations have run to several hundred thousand. Employers must pay the prevailing wage and attest that employment will not adversely affect similarly employed U.S. workers. The Trump administration in 2025 announced a $100,000 fee for new petitions, which is being challenged.

Technology companies argue that H-1B workers fill skill gaps and drive innovation. Critics, including many conservatives and labor groups, argue that the program is used to replace or undercut American workers with lower-paid foreign labor, that outsourcing firms dominate the lottery, and that wage rules are weak; studies find varied effects on wages and employment. Reform proposals include wage-based selection instead of a lottery. In 2024-25, the debate divided Trump's supporters. Compare green card and E-Verify.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Green card The document showing lawful permanent resident status, which lets a noncitizen live and work in the U.S. indefinitely and later apply for citizenship. E-Verify A federal online system that lets employers check whether new hires are authorized to work in the United States. Chain migration A critics' term for family-based immigration, in which citizens and residents sponsor relatives, who may later sponsor others. Naturalization The legal process by which a lawful permanent resident becomes a U.S. citizen, involving tests, an interview and an oath. Visa overstay Remaining in the United States after a legal visa or authorized period of stay has expired, a major source of unauthorized presence.