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H-1B Specialty Occupation Workers

For individuals who have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, or higher degree and a job offer that normally requires a bachelor’s degree or higher as a minimum requirement, the H-1B temporary work visa may be a good fit.

Keep in mind, the job itself must require a bachelor’s degree or higher in a specialized field. You must then have that degree to qualify for H-1B status.

What is a “specialty occupation”?

  • A bachelor’s degree or higher degree or its equivalent is normally the minimum requirement for the particular position;
  • The degree requirement is common for this position in the industry, or the job is so complex or unique that it can only be performed by someone with at least a bachelor’s degree in a field related to the position;
  • The employer normally requires a degree or its equivalent for the position; or
  • The nature of the specific duties is so specialized and complex that the knowledge required to perform the duties is usually associated with the attainment of a bachelor’s or higher degree. 

The U.S. Employer must file the petition.  Before filing with the USCIS, the Employer must file a Labor Condition Application with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).  The LCA is the Employer certifying under penalty of perjury that it will pay the H-1B employee the prevailing wage or the actual wage, whichever is higher. The prevailing wage is the salary paid to workers in similar occupations in the geographic area of the intended employment. The actual wage is the wage that the employer pays employees in similar occupations at the location of the intended employment. The employer must also certify that it is not displacing any U.S. workers to hire the H-1B applicant, and that there are no strikes or other work stoppages in the occupation in which the H-1B applicant will be employed. The certified LCA should be submitted with your H-1B petition to the USCIS.

There is a quota for H-1B visas:  65,000 per fiscal year for positions based upon a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent and 20,000 for positions based upon a U.S. Master’s degree or higher (aka “advanced degree exemption”).

Beneficiaries whose are sponsored by qualified institutions of higher education, related or affiliated nonprofit entity, a nonprofit research organization, or a governmental research organization may be exempt from the quota.

An H-1B visa will enable you to work for the petitioning employer for a total of six years continuously. Spouses and minor children of an H-1B are eligible for H-4 dependent status but are not eligible for employment authorization.

The H-1B has become subject to stricter and stricter scrutiny by USCIS adjudicators.  Getting past the lottery is the first hurdle – to make it to the finish line, you need an experienced immigration attorney.  Contact our office to see how we can help you.

  • We consulted Angela after trying 3 different lawyers to help us adjust status for my mother. We never saw results with either of the previous lawyers so we kept searching for someone that could actually help us with my mom’s situation. She was able to adjust status in about 1 years or so. She received her work authorization within 6 months of her taking her case. In mid August she finally had her interview and was approved. She took a vacation right away to visit family that she had not seen in about 15 years. My family and I are very thankful with her for all the good work she did. Everyone in her office is very friendly, they make you feel like you are at home. Thank you so much Angela for the time and effort you put into helping our family.

  • “Angela took me by the hand literally from the slums of asylum to being a Legal permanent resident of The United States! It was a journey that I was so glad we went on together. She’s very thorough, patient, kind, and FUNNY. Ahh, I love her! She’s the very best and I 100% recommend her for all your immigration needs.” -SG

  • “I would like to thank Angela and her team for helping me and my family with our asylum case. After meeting 5 immigration attorneys Angela was the best! My immigration process journey was a rough one. but Angela was always there for us. She assisted me on every level and beyond. Angela is a very passionate, knowledgeable, strong attorney, who is always on top of her game. She is a very optimistic, caring and empowering person, who became a mentor to me. She would spend hours and days with me when I was having an anxiety attack over my upcoming asylum interview. She made sure I was ready and I was OK both physically and emotionally. I believe some people had suffered from PTSD and having trouble recalling all the dark memories of your life. She suggested I see a psychologist which made a big change in my life (a good change). Not only that Angela went with me to my interview where she supported me both physically and emotionally which, to be honest, made a HUGE difference, having somebody whom you knew and trust. Angela will help you to find help and support you need, she will guide you thru all your process. After all, what we have been through my life is so much better and happier, because we were lucky to find a great attorney! Once again Thank you!” -T.B.

  • “Very good lawyer with professional business standards.”  A.Y.

  • “My friend recommended Angela and I called her about a serious immigration issue my brother was facing.  She was incredibly helpful and took the time and effort to answer all my questions and address my concerns.  Angela was knowledgeable and honest and during an especially stressful time for my family she was a godsend.  I would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone needing an immigration attorney.” – L.H.

  • “Angela has the best service in this field, she is quick to response and her work is 110% she is the best deal you can get in immigration matters, she really cares about her clients and explaines so well legal complications regarding each case I recomnend her 110% Angela is the best one in LA!!” – O.L.

  • “Angela was our lucky charm; if she’s an object it would be the lucky cat figure you find waving at you, all smiles in every counter of businesses. Angela has been such an important person in our lives, winning my ICE case/USCIS adjustment of status from Sep 2014-Sep 2017 (3 years). Thank you for your kindness and very professional service with regards to our case. Angela have made my wife, my mom and loved ones welcome, at home and family oriented. I have nothing much to say but high regards to the woman who is trustworthy, made us laugh, comfortable in our interviews, on time with our appointments,all the way full support and most importantly pass our test interviews with flying colors. We will definitely recommend The Law Office of Angela Suh to anyone and I guarantee you will have success. God Bless us all.”  R.R.

  • ‘I was recommended by a friend to use Angela Suh for my immigration issues that I was having. The attorney I had before Angela was a nightmare, the experience I had with him was just disgusting, getting to speak to him was IMPOSSIBLE, he had no work ethics no concern, the only thing he was concerned was if his fees were paid in full, long story short, I hope no one ever should have to go thru what I went thru with my last attorney. Then I get to speak to Angela on the phone for the first time, I just can’t express the kind of relief I felt with just our first conversation, she made me feel so comfortable, and most importantly she wanted to hear my concerns, I was on the phone with her for over 45 minutes and when we were done talking I was so relieved, it gave me a peace of mind with my immigration issues I was facing. A week later she flew to New Orleans so we could meet up and she could gather more info on my case at the USCIS. I still remember how friendly and concerned she was in regard to my case, I felt like I was talking to a friend and not an attorney. Every time that I have called her office to speak I would be able to and if I had to leave her a message I would get a call back from her no later than an hour, it was that easy to get in touch with her.  All in all, in my personal opinion she is by far the best Immigration Attorney out there and I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND HER TO ANYONE ANY DAY. If you are out there looking for an immigration attorney who cares about her clients and goes out of her way to help you, She is the one you need to call. I give her a 10 on 10 for everything she has done for me and helped me. Thank you, Angela Suh.”  S.G.

  • “BEST immigration attorney ever!! Absolutely love her. She’s been my attorney for 4 years and she does such a good job!! She has great customer service, she’s very nice and gets things done fast. I definitely recommend her :)” S.P.

  • “La abogada Angela me represento en todas mis audiencias en corte desde el año 2014. Le agradezco por todo lo que hizo por mi. Ella peleó muy duro por mi caso y ganó. Estoy muy agradecida porque puede recuperar mi residencia. Yo tuve 2 abogados antes que Angela pero no estuve satisfecha con sus servicios porque no me devan esperanza y no les confiaba con mi caso. No valía la pena que gaste mucho dinero y tiempo en un abogado que no estaba dispuesto a pelear por mi caso. La abogada Angela es diferente de ellos. Ella trabajó muy duro y me dio esperanza durante todo el proceso. Ella me hizo sentir cómoda dejandole mi caso en sus manos. Estoy muy feliz ahora porque tengo mi residencia de vuelta. Esto significa mucho para mi porque ahora ya no me tengo que preocupar por mi estado migratorio y pronto puedo empezar a aplicar para mi ciudadania.”  E.B.

  • “I was told to appear for my asylum interview on short notice. I searched online for immigration lawyers with good reviews and, fortunately, I found Angela.
    She is one of the most hard-working people I’ve met. Angela was able to supplement my file with important materials and prepare me for the interview in a short period of time. Furthermore, I was able to contact her office and get quick responses through every step of the process, which is something my previous attorney was terrible at. I love how devoted and organized Angela is, even though she is busy, she somehow manages to take good care of her clients.
    My asylum case got approved two days ago.  I am relieved, happy and grateful to be able to live the peaceful life I didn’t get in my country. I really couldn’t have done it without her. I definitely recommend her to anyone” – M.A.

  • “Where do I begin with what an amazing immigration attorney Angela is. My situation from speaking to multiple immigration attorneys was unique and seemed like a tough case to win, but after speaking to Angela, which she also recognized as a challenging case as well, had a strategic approach to give us the best chance to get my citizenship denial reversed and approved. Immigration has lost some key documents and proof of payment in my file when I became permanent resident 10 yrs ago. This became a problem when I applied for my citizenship in 2018. I passed the civics and written test but when they reviewed my file there they said I will need to prove that I had filed and paid for that document. I told them I had to otherwise I would not have gotten my permanent resident card in the first place. Angela was honest that my case was going to be tough as she have not dealt with this scenario before, but her plan to resolve this matter was well thought out. She had found a piece of information in my FOIA that gave us an opportunity to prove those documents and fees were indeed paid. And with a little patience and her knowledge and persistence Us Citizenship services reversed the decision and approved my citizenship a year later after I hired Angela. I would highly recommend Angela Suh if you have any immigration issues and need a great attorney to represent you.”  J.T.

  • “Thanks for all.  You were there to support us being a good lawyer and a friend.”

  • “Thank you again…and we really appreciate your great help thus far. We will definitely refer your name if any of our friends need your services.”

  • “Angela, just wanted to thank you and congratulate you on a great job you did for us.  To you this may have been another day at work but to me it meant my freedom. Thank you so much.”

  • “La Abogada Angela Suh me ayudo con mi caso de emigracion.  Yo sentia que mi caso era muy dificil de ganar porque yo ya tenia deportacion y ella gano mi caso.  Ella fue muy amable con migo y con mis hijos.  Yo pude comunicarme con ella porque ella habla y entien muy bien mi idioma espanol.  Es un abogada muy Buena y gana casos dificiles.”

  • “Thank you for all of your hard work on my father’s case.  We were blessed to have you as our attorney.”

  • “Angela, We can thank you enough for all your help.  Wow!  J and I want to say thank you, thank you.  From me a special thank you.  (Yes, I received my card last week).  Thank you.”

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