Each year on April 1st, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service begins accepting petitions for H1B work visas for the upcoming fiscal year (Oct 1 2011/Sept 30 2012). A new season is rapidly approaching, and only a limited number of petitions will be accepted. Employers with workers eligible for H1B visas in Colorado need to be prepared.

 The H1B gives individuals with at least a bachelor’s degree in certain professions, or its equivalent, the right to work in the United States. Eligible professions require specialized training or technical expertise; examples include computer programmers, accountants, engineers, scientists, doctors and others. The H1B also requires employer sponsorship, meaning that a job offer must be in place to be eligible. Employers wishing to learn more about the H1B visa can review this website and/or consult a Denver immigration attorney for assistance.

 The cap on H1B petitions remains at 65,000 for general applicants and an additional 20,000 for those with a master’s degree or higher from a U.S. school. There are certain exemptions to the cap, such as those who are in H1B status already, but Colorado employers are encouraged to act early for the best chances of success. Working with a Denver immigration lawyer knowledgeable about H-1B laws can help expedite the process.