H1 vs B1 Visa
When USA becomes your temporary destination, you need to either apply for H1 visa or B1 visa, depending on the purpose of the stay. H1 visa is for foreign professionals who are hired by an employer. B1 visa, on the other hand, is for business purposes alone.
H1 Visa
In order for an employee to obtain H1 visa, he or she must be a college graduate or have already accumulated the experience and the expertise required for the applied position. H1 visa application process is of two sides: the employee and the employer. First thing to realize is the fact that you cannot be a US H1B non-immigrant if you are not sponsored by at least one employer. The employer will provide your petition and this must be not be very hard for them since they are not really obligated to see local job applications first before hiring H1B workers.
With a certified H1 visa approved by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), you can legally stay in the US within 6 years. However, granted that you already applied for an I-140 Immigrant Petition before the last year of your allowable stay, you will be granted 1 to 3 years of extension to give ample time for the finalization of your green card certification.
There are different forms available for different specialty occupations:
H-1B – Professionals with Bachelor’s or Higher Degree or its equivalent or Certified Specialists
H-1B1 – Free Trade Agreement workers in a specialty occupation from Chile and Singapore.
H-1B2 – Specialty occupations related to Department of Defense Cooperative Research and Development projects or Co-production projects.
H-1B3 – Fashion models of distinguished merit and ability.
H-1C is for Registered nurses working in a health professional shortage area as determined by the U.S. Department of Labor.
B1 Visa
For people who have things to settle in the US for a short-period of time, B1 visa is most applicable. If certified, your 90-day stay must be of the range of specified businesses and concerns like some affiliate’s delegation conference, examinations, buying of some materials or for settlement of properties.
If the purpose doesn’t exceed the above requirement, then you must escalate your application for the B-1 visa to consular offices at least 3 months before the actual travel. The consulate will be reviewing your request and will give you the result as soon as possible and, whatever it may be, be reminded that results will always be irrevocable. All these consulates need to know is your willingness to come back to your country. They must have a personal experience of your statement that you don’t have any intention to be a US immigrant.
Difference between H1 and B1 Visa
H1 and B1 visas are both for foreigners’ passport to enter the US legally but temporarily. However, their constraints are totally different.
A qualified H1 visa holder should be a professional with skills that of the US workers themselves.
B1 visa holder must possess a truly acceptable request to visit the US for the maximum stay of 3 months with limited privileges.
Partly because of the tremendous difference between H1 visa and B1 visa maximum months of stay differs. H-1B can stay for 6 years of being consistently employed but B-1 visa holders can stay for 3 months without any string attached.
H1B status will be providing an individual with more chances for opportunities while B1 is very limited for concerns that can be quickly solved.
Whatever status an individual falls on – be it H1B or a B1 both are non-immigrant visas. You can pick what best applies to you.