United States H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa for Indians
Last verified: October 1, 2026
Quick facts
- Processing time
- 12–32 weeks
- Government fee
- about $400
- Start preparing
- about 11 months before your move
- Steps in the plan
- 9
- Need an apostille
- None
- Need a translation
- None
- Job offer
- Required
“Start preparing” covers gathering documents, the 12–32 weeks decision wait and two weeks of slack. Add apostille and translation costs to the government fee.
Overview
Employer-sponsored visa for specialty occupations requiring a bachelor's degree or higher. Subject to an annual March lottery ($215 registration); the employer files the petition and pays its fees, and your offered salary must meet the prevailing wage for the role and location. Indian nationals face multi-year green-card backlogs. The $100,000 payment from the Sept 2025 proclamation is not currently collected: a federal court vacated the guidance implementing it in June 2026, but the case is ongoing and DHS says it still plans to collect the payment if that order is lifted.
This page covers Indians. For every nationality we track, see the United States H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa overview.
Requirements for Indians
| Minimum annual income | No requirement |
| Minimum savings | No requirement |
| Job offer required | Yes |
| Degree required | Yes |
| Family can join | Yes |
| Path to permanent residency | Yes |
Processing time & costs
Typical processing takes 12–32 weeks after applying. The government fee is approximately $400. Difficulty: 5/5.
Documents you'll need
- Employer enters you in the H-1B lottery (March)Registration is usually early-to-mid March; $215 per beneficiary, paid by the employer.
- If selected: employer files the LCAEmployer attests the prevailing wage to the Department of Labor; certification takes about 7 business days.
- Employer files the I-129 petitionPremium processing costs $2,805, paid by the employer, with a 15-business-day decision.
- Receive the I-797 approval noticeThe original notice is required at the visa stamp appointment.
- Complete DS-160 and pay the $185 MRV feeOne DS-160 per applicant, with a printed confirmation barcode page.
- Book VAC biometrics + consulate appointmentTwo bookings via the US Travel Docs portal: VAC biometrics, then interview or dropbox.
- Attend the appointment with your document filePassport, I-797, DS-160 confirmation, LCA copy, degree certificates, payslips or offer letter.
- Collect your stamped passport & travelEntry is allowed up to 10 days before the petition start date, usually October 1.
- After arrival: SSN and onboardingApplied for after starting work; the employer handles payroll setup.
The full ordered checklist — with timing, dependencies, apostille and translation flags, and personalized due dates — is part of the paid plan.
Not moving yet?
The H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa takes about 11 months from first document to moving day. Tell us when you plan to move and we’ll email you once, on the day you should start.
Is the H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa right for you?
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Check my eligibilityFrequently asked questions
- How long does the United States H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa take for Indians?
- Typical processing time is 12–32 weeks after applying, plus the time needed to gather documents.
- What does the H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa cost?
- The government fee is approximately $400. Additional costs (translations, apostilles, insurance) vary by case.
- Do Indians need a job offer for the H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa?
- Yes. A job offer from an employer in United States is required before applying.
- Can I bring my family on the H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa?
- Yes — this visa allows accompanying family members, with additional documentation.
Other United States visas for Indians
Other destinations for Indians
United States visas for other nationalities
Always confirm requirements with the official government source. This guide is general information, not legal advice.