H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa for India citizens
Last verified: August 31, 2026
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 entry fee from the Sept 2025 proclamation was struck down in court in June 2026 and is not currently collected.
Requirements
| Minimum annual income | $60,000/year |
| 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)
- If selected: employer files the LCA
- Employer files the I-129 petition
- Receive the I-797 approval notice
- Complete DS-160 and pay the $185 MRV fee
- Book VAC biometrics + consulate appointment
- Attend the appointment with your document file
- Collect your stamped passport & travel
- After arrival: SSN and onboarding
The full ordered checklist — with timing, dependencies, apostille and translation flags, and personalized due dates — is part of the paid plan.
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Check my eligibilityAlways confirm requirements with the official government source. This guide is general information, not legal advice.