[ad_1] US H -1B visa process: America has been the top country for students studying as well as job professionals. One of the main reasons for this is that world-class universities here get top-class education, while American companies are known for their better work life balance and thick salary. Due to these reasons from all over the world, students come to America to do jobs and studies. For the last several years, thousands of students from India are going to study in America every year.However, it is a bit challenging for them to understand the immigration system, whether students or working professionals. One of the biggest questions of foreign students including Indians is whether they can stop in America after finishing studies? Especially, can F-1 student visa be converted into an H-1B work visa? The answer to this question is yes, but many conditions have to be met for this. In such a situation, let us understand this whole process in detail.What is F-1 student visa?Students coming to America are given F-1 visa, also known as a student visa. This is a non-immigrant visa. F-1 visa is found only when the student has received admission in the institute/university approved by the 'Student and Exchange Visitor Program' (SEVP). he/she should be studying as a full-time student at this institute/university. he/she knows reading, writing and speaking English language. he/she has enough bank balance to study in America.To get a visa, the student will also have to prove that he/she will return to his/her country after studying. Students should stay out of America while applying for a visa. F-1 students are usually allowed to stay in the US until the period of their academic program. They are also eligible for 'Optional Practical Training' (OPT) or 'Curricular Practical Training' (CPT). With this, they are allowed to work in the field associated with their studies for some time.What is H-1B Work Visa?American companies hire foreign professional workers through the US H-1B visa. Bachelor degrees or above are required to do jobs on behalf of companies that foreigners are hired. These jobs are usually in areas such as information technology, finance, engineering, healthcare and architecture. Both the company and the employee have to fulfill certain conditions for the H-1B visa.In the conditions that the company has to fulfill, the most important thing is that the job should be a specialty authorization. Special knowledge and at least bachelor's degree are required to do that work. The company will have to file Labor Condition Application (LCA) in Department of Labor (DOL). It has to be proved that the salary received by the foreign employee is according to the standards of the industry and it will not have any negative impact on American employees. The company has to file Form I-129, Petition for a nonimmigrant worker in USCIS.At the same time, to get the H-1B visa to the employee, he/she must first have at least a bachelor's degree or equal degree in the respective field. The employee should have a job offer from an American company ready to sponsor H-1B visa.Can F-1 visa be converted into a H-1B visa?Students who come to the US on F-1 visa can go on H-1B visa. For this, they have to fulfill certain conditions. First of all, they have to find a company that makes them sponsors H-1B. After this, the company will have to file Form I-129 in the USCIS. Please tell that only 65,000 visas are given every year. Apart from this, there are 20,000 additional visas, which are given only to those who have earned a master or a degree from the American university.If the F-1 student visa ends before the H-1B visa starts on 1 October, then they can get a cap-gap extension. This allows them to stay in the US until the H-1B visa starts. The company will have to submit LCA in DOL, in which salary and working conditions are confirmed. After the petition is approved by the USCIS, the applicant can function legally under the H-1B status. [ad_2]
