iIt is almost October 1st, when thousands of new H-1B visas will become effective with the onset of the US government’s 2015 fiscal year. In light of this, here are six little known but important facts about H-1B visas:
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H-1B visas are available for part-time as well as full-time positions.
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People can hold multiple, concurrent, H-1B positions, as long as each employer has filed and has ultimately received an approval for its petition.
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Entrepreneurs can set up companies that can file H-1B visa petitions on their behalf, as long as they can prove they have an arms-length relationship with their company.
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If someone has worked in H-1B visa status for less than 6 years, and has taken a number from the H-1B visa quota, he/she is not subject to the quota for subsequent H-1B employment, even following an intervening period in a different visa status (such as a student visa) or following departure from the US.
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If someone is the beneficiary of a cap-subject H-1B petition approval effective October 1st, he/she is no longer subject to the quota and is eligible for approval of a new H-1B visa petition filed by a different employer. This true regardless of whether the person is inside or outside the US.
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Even when the H-1B visa quota has been exhausted, for-profit employers may obtain H-1B visa petition approvals for some employees under certain circumstances. For example, where the individual is also employed in H-1B status by an H-1B quota-exempt employer, such as a university, OR where the work will further the university’s educational purpose and will be performed on campus.
