Can I Still Apply for H1B Visa (Aug, 2009)?
By HSB
It’s already August 2009 and still many are posting comments like this
I just graduated with Bachelors in Computer Engineering from a US university this august. Can i apply for the H1 B visa NOW?? Else when is the earliest to do that??
Apply for H1B Visa
Yes, you can still apply for H1B Visa, even though its August 2009. Most of them asking similar question, are thinking about H1B lottery in last 2 years. But, there are over 20,000 H1B Visas still available for Fiscal Year 2009 – 2010. There is no deadline to apply for H-1B Visa, if H1B quota is available, then if you have a job or employer, you can apply for H1B Visa.
How to Apply for H1B Visa
Only an employer can apply for H1B Visa and you cannot self sponsor H-1B Visa. So, find an employer who can apply for H1b Visa. There are two kinds of employer who will sponsor H1B visa
- Direct Hire – H1B Sponsor
- H1B through Consulting Company
If you can find a job and an employer who is willing to apply your H1b Visa, it’s the best way to get H1B approved. Since, USCIS is requesting additional documents, if H1B visa application is submitted by a Consulting Company.
Since, USCIS is asking many documents( RFE Query on H1B ), most of the consulting companies are not willing (or afraid) to sponsor H1B Visa as previous years. When economy and job market was doing good,consulting companies were willing to apply for H1b Visa, but not this year.
So, finding an consulting company who is willing to apply for your H1B will be real tough. Best way to find an consulting company is through referral from your friend and family members.
Applying H1 from India
Its easy to apply for H1B ( L1 to H1B, L2 to H1B, F1 to H1B) if you already in US. If you are planning to apply for H1B from India, it will be tough to find a consulting firm. Even if you find one who is willing to sponsor your visa, they might not ask you to go for Visa stamping for another 1 year or more. Even if you find a consulting firm, make sure the company is good and they are for real and not involved in any kind of fraud.
Follow some of the comments in this blog, you will understand and know the problems faced by few who applied fro H1B from India and consulting company is not giving them proper response. So, you can still apply for H1B this year. But be careful if applying through a consulting company.
Related posts:
- Can I Apply for H1B Visa 2009, While 2008 Application is Pending?
- Applying for H1B Visa 2009 (FY 2010) – Think Twice!
- H1B Visa 2010 Approved, When Can I Go for Visa Stamping?
- H1B Visa 2010 – Latest Cap Count – Aug 28, 2009
- H1B Cap 2009
Hi,
I got a Job Last Week. My Employer does not even have an LCA. So, He applied for it this week and I think it takes a week to get its approval.
Do you think Can I still go ahead and apply for H1-B this year or else do you suggest me to wait for next year??
hi im on b2 visa and i came here aug7 09 i already have an employer and a lawyer the problem is i cannot file for my h1b yet, i need to wait for 60 days for it not to be considered as fraud, so by october 7 i can already file for it, can i still apply by then? i hope the quota will still be available by oct 7. it’s kindda scary to see that the quota is not moving or progressing since june, its always 44,900. and on may it was 45,000 and they say that some files that are pending whether denied or approved is included in the numbers.
I am on B1 in USA, If I get approved petition of H1B, is it required to go for stamping or can continue with this visa, as I heard Visa is only for port of entry.
It’s been really difficult to find the H1B sponsors. Please suggest me in finding a consulting company to file H1B.
Thanks
Well,
That’s true its better to transfer your status to F1 through a vocational school and get a work permit for 11 months by that time hopefully the market should be better and companies would be ready to file H1. In this way you will be in status + working.
Nice to know that we can still apply for H1B visa this year… I tried to get some H1B sponsors but i failed to do that. So can anyone kindly suggest me some good/reliable consulting company’s that can apply for my H1B ?