H-1B Specialty Occupation
A temporary work status for jobs that need at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field. A US employer files Form I-129 after getting a certified Labor Condition Application from the Department of Labor. Most new H-1B workers are subject to an annual cap, which is filled through an electronic registration and a selection weighted by wage level (from FY 2027). Several large extra fees now apply in some cases, and some of them are being challenged in court or are still proposals.
3 entry rules for United States based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Entry refused after a stay in DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan in the last 21 days
If you're not a US citizen and you've been in DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the last 21 days, you can't enter the United States. This includes green card holders. The US government renewed this on 11 October 2026 for another 30 days.
CDC Order: Suspending the Right to Introduce Certain Persons... (order history) Federal Register 2026-18948 (Sept 16, 2026 continuation) CDC: Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas (updated Sep 11, 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Entry refused after a stay in DR Congo in the last 21 days
Anyone who has been in DR Congo in the last 21 days, Americans included, can't board a commercial flight to the United States. US citizens are asked to wait outside DR Congo for 21 days before flying.
CDC: Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas CDC Travel Health Notice Level 2: Ebola Bundibugyo in DRC and Uganda (reviewed Aug 28, 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Health screening after a stay in Uganda, South Sudan in the last 21 days
US citizens who have been in Uganda or South Sudan in the last 21 days must fly into Washington-Dulles, Atlanta or New York JFK for a health check, and get text-message check-ins for 21 days.
CDC: Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas CDC: Enhanced Ebola Airport Screening Begins at Washington-Dulles Checked October 19, 2026
Entry restrictions apply to 20 passports for United States
The government has suspended some or all visas for holders of these passports. Exceptions exist; see the source.
- Afghanistan
- Burkina Faso
- Chad
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Laos
- Libya
- Mali
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Niger
- Palestinian Territories
- Republic of the Congo
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Yemen
Afghanistan
Burkina Faso
Chad
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Haiti
Iran
Laos
Libya
Mali
Myanmar (Burma)
Niger
Palestinian Territories
Republic of the Congo
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Sudan
Sudan
Syria
YemenSource: Proclamation 10949 - Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats (Federal Register, 10 Jun 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 - Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the Security of the United States (Federal Register, 19 Dec 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 full text (GovInfo)Source: U.S. Department of State - Suspension of Visa Issuance to Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United StatesSource: Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for FY2027 (Federal Register, 2 Oct 2026) - cites Proclamation 10998 as in force
Life in United States
Money
3
Currency
US Dollar
USD
US Dollar
Cost of living
100
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
10–37%
Income tax (national)
social security 7.65%
Federal rates; most states and some cities add their own income tax. 37% starts above USD 626,350 (single, 2025).
Living
1
Happiness
#22 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Working in your field Members
Whether you need a licence or registration to work in your field here
Who it’s for
Graduates with a bachelor's degree or higher (or equivalent experience) who have a job offer from a US employer in a specialty occupation.
Eligibility
Specialty occupation
The job must need highly specialised knowledge and normally require a bachelor's or higher degree in a directly related specific specialty, or its equivalent. A general degree with no specialisation is not enough.
Worker qualifications
The worker must hold a US bachelor's or higher degree in the field, a foreign equivalent, an unrestricted state licence where needed, or equivalent education and experience with recognised expertise.
US employer with a real job
The petitioner must have a bona fide job offer for work in the US (telework or off-site work in the US is allowed), a legal presence in the US, and an IRS tax ID number.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementLabor Condition Application
- Document checklistH-1B registration (cap cases)
- FeesH-1B registration fee (per beneficiary)
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 6 more requirements
- 11 documents
- 11 fees
- 8 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in United States
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
- USCIS - H-1B Specialty Occupations (updated 21 Sep 2026)
- USCIS - H-1B Electronic Registration Process (updated 21 Sep 2026)
- USCIS - H-1B Cap Season (updated 21 Sep 2026)
- USCIS - G-1055 Fee Schedule (edition 10/16/26)
- eCFR - 8 CFR 214.2(h)
- Federal Register - Weighted Selection final rule (29 Dec 2025, effective 27 Feb 2026)
- Federal Register - 9-11 Biometric Fee final rule (10 Aug 2026, effective 9 Sep 2026)
- Federal Register - Fee for Certain H-1B Petitions (proposed rule, 25 Aug 2026)
- USCIS - How Do I Request Premium Processing? (updated 23 Mar 2026)
- eCFR - 22 CFR 22.1 Schedule of Fees for Consular Services
Other routes to United States
- Visit & tourismB-1/B-2 visitor visa
- StudyF-1 Academic Student
- Permanent residenceDiversity Immigrant Visa Program
- FamilyImmigrant Visa for Spouse of a US Citizen
- Investors & entrepreneursEB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
- Asylum & protectionAsylum
Work permits in other countries
- UzbekistanWork permit and work visa
- St. Vincent & GrenadinesSt Vincent and the Grenadines Work Permit
- VenezuelaTransient worker visa
- British Virgin IslandsBVI work permit (Labour Code) with Immigration entry permit
- VietnamWork permit for foreign workers in Vietnam (Giấy phép lao động) with LĐ temporary residence card
- VanuatuEmployment Visa and Short-Term Employment Visa
