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H-1B Visa USA Eligibility Calculator 2026
Check Your Visa Eligibility Score in 60 Seconds
Free • USA
1. Do you have a US bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a field directly related to the job?
2. Do you have a US employer ready to file LCA + I-129?
3. Is the offered salary at/above DOL prevailing wage (Level II+)?
4. Cap-exempt employer (university, non-profit research, govt research)?
H-1B Visa USA Overview
H-1B Visa USA Eligibility Calculator 2026 is one of the most searched immigration pathways for people moving to USA
This page gives you a fast, no-signup way to check where you stand before you spend money on application fees or agents. Our calculator mirrors the official rule set and then translates the answers into a clear, percentage-based eligibility score. You will see exactly which requirements you already meet, which ones need work, and what the realistic next step looks like.
If you want a deeper, AI-personalised plan covering documents, timeline, costs and alternative pathways, run the full assessment — it compares your profile against every visa we track for your destination and ranks the routes most likely to succeed for someone with your background.
Key H-1B Visa Requirements
Specialty Occupation
Job requires theoretical and practical application of body of highly specialized knowledge; bachelor's degree minimum in specific field (per USCIS 2024 Final Rule).
Qualifying Degree
US bachelor's+ in directly related field OR foreign equivalent (credential evaluation) OR 12 yrs experience = 4-yr degree (3-for-1 rule).
Employer-Sponsored
US employer files I-129 + LCA (Labor Condition Application) certified by DOL with prevailing wage commitment.
Annual Cap Selection
65,000 regular cap + 20,000 US master's cap. Beneficiary-centric lottery introduced 2024 (each person 1 entry regardless of multiple employers).
Prevailing Wage
Employer must pay ≥ Level I–IV OES wage for occupation/area (DOL FLAG).
Official H-1B Visa Resources
H-1B Visa USA FAQs
Common mistakes to avoid
Multiple registrations by related entities (now blocked by beneficiary-centric lottery — and triggers fraud finding).
Generalist job titles (e.g. "business analyst") without specialty degree nexus.
LCA filed for wrong worksite/wage level (RFE or denial).
Missing degree-equivalency evaluation for foreign credentials.
Improve your chances
- 1
Target cap-exempt employers (universities, NIH-affiliated research) to skip the lottery.
- 2
Pursue US master's — second lottery round (20k cap) significantly improves odds.
- 3
Ensure LCA uses Level II+ wage to defeat "not specialty occupation" RFEs.
- 4
File premium processing to lock 15-business-day decision and plan start date.
H-1B 2026 fees & cap
| Item | Cost / Detail |
|---|---|
| Registration fee | USD 215 per beneficiary |
| I-129 (≥26 employees) | USD 780 |
| I-129 (<26 employees) | USD 460 |
| Asylum program fee | USD 600 (≥26 emp) / USD 300 (<26 emp) |
| ACWIA training fee | USD 1,500 (≥26 emp) / USD 750 (<26) |
| Fraud prevention | USD 500 |
| Premium processing | USD 2,805 (15 business days) |
| Annual cap | 65,000 regular + 20,000 US master's |
| Validity | 3 yrs initial; 3-yr extension; AC21 7th-year extensions if PERM pending 365+ days |
Step-by-step application process
- Self-assess eligibility. Use this calculator and review the official H-1B Visa USA Eligibility Calculator 2026 criteria before paying any fees. Confirm you meet every hard gate (age, language, health, character, qualifying offer or investment) — failing one gate cannot be offset by scoring well elsewhere.
- Gather and translate documents. Collect passport, civil documents, qualifications, language test, police clearances from every country lived in 12+ months since age 17, and proof of funds. Obtain certified translations and apostilles/attestations where the destination authority requires them.
- Submit the formal application. Lodge online through the official government portal listed on this page. Pay the correct government fee, complete biometrics at the designated centre, and upload supporting evidence in the exact format the authority specifies.
- Respond to requests for evidence. Caseworkers commonly request additional payslips, employer letters, or medicals. Respond inside the deadline given — most refusals come from missed deadlines, not weak profiles.
- Travel and activate status. On approval, collect your visa vignette or eVisa, enter the country before it expires, register your address where required, and collect any biometric residence permit/card. Keep digital and paper copies of every document.
Sources & references
Every figure on this page is sourced from official government or regulator publications. Cross-check before applying — rules change.
This calculator is editorial guidance, not legal advice. Immigration thresholds, points, salary floors and occupation lists change frequently — always verify your route against the official government source linked on this page before applying. For complex cases, consult a licensed immigration adviser regulated in the destination country.
Helpful resources
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