Your complete work authorization roadmap for US H-1B sponsorship and UK Skilled Worker visa —
from salary thresholds and sponsor requirements to processing timelines and interview tips.
🗓 FY2025 H-1B Registration: USCIS typically opens electronic registration in March. Results announced in April. Cap is 85,000 slots/year. Master's cap (20k) drawn first.
What Is the H-1B Visa?
The H-1B is a nonimmigrant work visa allowing US employers to hire foreign professionals in specialty occupations — roles requiring at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent in a specific technical field. Most tech, engineering, finance, and healthcare roles qualify.
Eligibility Requirements
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Education
Bachelor's degree (or higher) in a field directly related to the role. Equivalent experience (3 years = 1 year of education) accepted via evaluation.
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Employer Sponsor
Must have a US employer willing to file petition. Employer must prove specialty occupation and pay the prevailing wage for your role and location.
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Job Offer
Requires a legitimate, full-time (or part-time) job offer in a specialty occupation before filing. Contract/consulting arrangements qualify with proper end-client relationships.
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Prevailing Wage
DOL-mandated minimum salary based on role, experience level (I–IV), and geographic location. Typically $70k–$180k for tech roles in major metros.
2024 H-1B Salary Thresholds by Level
Level
Description
Typical Software Engineer (CA/NY)
National Median (Tech)
Level I
Entry / New Graduate
$95,000 – $115,000
$72,000 – $88,000
Level II
Qualified / Mid-Level
$120,000 – $145,000
$92,000 – $110,000
Level III
Experienced / Senior
$150,000 – $185,000
$118,000 – $145,000
Level IV
Fully Competent / Staff
$195,000 – $240,000+
$155,000 – $195,000
Source: DOL Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLCDC). Verify with flcdatacenter.com.
H-1B Timeline: From Job Offer to Visa Approval
1
January–February: Employer prepares LCA (Labor Condition Application), files with DOL. DOL certifies within 7 business days.
2
March 1–20: USCIS opens H-1B Cap Electronic Registration (online lottery entry). $215 registration fee per beneficiary.
3
Late March/April: USCIS selects registrations by lottery. If selected, employer notified to file full petition (Form I-129).
4
April 1 – June 30: Full petition filed. Premium processing ($2,805) = 15 business day decision. Regular: 3–6 months.
5
October 1: H-1B becomes effective. FY starts October 1. You can begin working for the sponsoring employer.
6
Year 3+: Apply for extension (same employer or transfer to new employer via H-1B transfer). Green Card (EB-2/EB-3) process recommended to start within 3 years.
Key Costs
I-129 Petition Fee$730
ACWIA Training Fee$1,500 – $3,000
Fraud Prevention Fee$500
Premium Processing$2,805
Lottery Registration$215
Consular Processing$190
Most fees are employer-paid by law. Employers legally cannot deduct H-1B fees from your salary.
Cap-Exempt Employers (No Lottery Needed)
Universities and colleges (accredited)
Affiliated nonprofit research organizations
Nonprofit entities engaged in educational or research activities
Government research organizations
Frequently Asked Questions — H-1B
Can I change employers on H-1B?
Yes. You can transfer to a new employer while your H-1B transfer petition is pending. You can start working for the new employer once the transfer petition is filed (portability under AC21).
What happens if my H-1B lottery isn't selected?
You can try again next year, explore cap-exempt employers, consider O-1A (extraordinary ability), TN (Canada/Mexico), or E-3 (Australians) visa options, or look at remote work arrangements.
Can my spouse work on H-4 visa?
H-4 EAD (Employment Authorization Document) is available to H-4 dependents whose H-1B spouse has an approved I-140 immigrant petition. The current administration has maintained this rule.
What is the H-1B lottery selection rate?
In recent years, selection rates have been approximately 25–35% due to high demand (400,000+ registrations for 85,000 slots). New rules weight advanced degree holders first.
⚠ April 2024 Update: UK Skilled Worker salary threshold increased to £38,700/year (from £26,200). New entrant rate: £30,960. Immigration Salary List (ISL) replaced Shortage Occupation List.
What Is the UK Skilled Worker Visa?
The Skilled Worker visa (part of the UK's Points-Based System) allows you to work in the UK for an approved employer in an eligible occupation. It replaced the Tier 2 (General) visa in December 2020. You must score 70 points from mandatory and tradeable criteria.
£38,700/year Applies to most experienced workers. Must meet or exceed this OR the occupation's going rate, whichever is higher.
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New Entrant Rate
£30,960/year For candidates under 26, in first year of a UK regulated profession, switching from Student visa, or with relevant STEM PhD.
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ISL Occupations
£30,960/year Roles on the Immigration Salary List (e.g., nurses, vets, some engineers) can qualify at the discounted rate.
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Healthcare Workers
NHS Pay Scales Doctors, nurses, and health professionals paid per NHS Agenda for Change pay bands. Band 5 = ~£28,407 (new entrant eligible).
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Before applying, your employer must:
Hold a valid UK Sponsor Licence (granted by the Home Office)
Issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) — an electronic reference number
The CoS must be used within 3 months of issue
You must apply for your visa within 3 months of CoS issue date
UK Skilled Worker Visa Timeline
1
Job Offer & Sponsor Check: Confirm your employer has a valid Sponsor Licence on the Home Office register.
2
CoS Assignment: Employer creates and assigns your CoS via the Sponsorship Management System (SMS). Takes 1–5 business days typically.
3
Application Submission: Apply online at gov.uk. Pay visa fee + Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Book biometrics appointment.
4
Decision: Standard: 3 weeks. Priority service (+£500): 5 business days. Super Priority (+£800): next working day.
5
BRP Collection: Collect your Biometric Residence Permit from a Post Office within 10 days of arriving in the UK.
6
Settlement (ILR): After 5 years continuous residence on Skilled Worker visa, apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). ILR leads to British citizenship.
Key Costs (Applying from Outside the UK)
Visa Application (3yr)£719
Visa Application (5yr)£1,420
Immigration Health Surcharge (per year)£1,035/yr
Priority Service£500
Super Priority Service£800
Biometrics (overseas)Varies
English Language Requirements
IELTS Academic/UKVI: Minimum 4.0 in each component (B1 level). Most tech employers prefer 6.5+
Degree taught in English: Acceptable if from an approved country (UK, USA, Australia, Canada, NZ, etc.)
CEFR B1 equivalent (Pearson PTE, Trinity ISE, Cambridge B2 First also accepted)
Frequently Asked Questions — UK Skilled Worker
Can I bring my family to the UK on a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. Your partner and children under 18 can apply as dependants. They can work and study without restriction. Each dependant pays their own visa fee and IHS.
Can I change jobs on a UK Skilled Worker visa?
You can change employers, but the new employer must be a licensed UK sponsor and must issue you a new CoS. You must apply for a visa variation before starting the new job (unless your current visa still covers the new role SOC code).
What is the IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge)?
IHS gives you access to NHS services. Currently £1,035 per person per year (as of 2024). Must be paid upfront for the full duration of your visa when you apply.
Is the UK Skilled Worker visa subject to a cap?
No. Unlike H-1B, there is no annual cap on Skilled Worker visas. Applications are processed on a continuous basis, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements.
