From lottery to landing. The complete playbook for skilled Indians.
6-18 months
$5,000-10,000 (employer-paid)
Bachelor's degree + US job
| Expense Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| H-1B registration fee (employer pays) | $215 |
| I-129 filing fee (employer pays) | $780 |
| Anti-fraud fee (employer pays) | $500 |
| ACWIA training fee (employer pays, varies) | $750-1,500 |
| Asylum program fee (employer pays) | $600 |
| MRV visa fee (your cost, if consular processing) | $205 |
| Premium processing optional (employer pays) | +$2,805 |
| Immigration attorney (often employer pays) | $2,000-5,000 |
Total estimate: $5,650-$11,705 (mostly paid by employer)
Your out-of-pocket cost is minimal if employer covers filing fees. Only visa fee ($205) and relocation expenses are typically your responsibility.
March 1-18
H-1B registration window
March 31
Lottery results announced
April 1+
H-1B petition filing begins
April-June
Petition processing (3-6 months regular)
June-July
I-797 approval received
June-August
Consular processing / visa stamp (if outside US)
September
Prepare to move to US
Sept 25-30
Arrive in US
October 1
H-1B status begins, start work
Total time: 6-9 months from registration to starting work. Can be faster with premium processing or if already in US.
Passport
Bachelor's degree certificate & transcripts
Credential evaluation (if degree from non-US university)
Employment offer letter
Job description / duties
Company tax returns (last 2 years)
Company annual report / org chart
Resume/CV
Prior US visa stamps / travel history
LCA certification from DOL
| Visa Type | Duration | Sponsorship | Path | Green Card |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H-1B | 3 years (extendable to 6) | Employer-sponsored | Job offer → Registration → Lottery → Petition → Visa | Possible (long backlog for India) |
| L-1 | 1-3 years (extendable to 5-7) | Transfer within same company | Work abroad first → Internal transfer | Possible, but fewer paths |
| O-1 | 3 years (extendable) | Requires extraordinary ability | Difficult to qualify | Possible but requires high profile |
Not directly. If you want to change jobs, your new employer must file a new H-1B petition for you. This is called an "H-1B transfer." Good news: No new lottery needed. The process is faster (4-6 weeks if filed concurrently).
You can try again next year. Alternatively, explore L-1 transfer (if your company has US offices), O-1 visa (if you have extraordinary ability), or extended OPT (if you're a US graduate). Canada PR is also an option.
H-4 visa holders historically cannot work. However, if you have an approved I-140 (green card petition), your spouse can apply for H-4 EAD (work permit) and work anywhere, not just your employer.
You cannot start a business while on H-1B. You're tied to your sponsoring employer. You'd need to switch to E-2 investor visa or wait for green card to start a business.
For Indians: EB-2 is 10-15+ years, EB-3 is 10+ years. The India green card backlog is the hardest part. Plan for 10+ years or explore Canada/Australia as alternatives.
Not legally required, but highly recommended. Immigration law is complex. Most employers hire lawyers (they usually pay). A good lawyer costs $2,000-5,000 but saves headaches.
Not long-term. H-1B requires you to maintain US presence. You can travel, but you can't maintain H-1B status by working from abroad indefinitely.
That's a violation. The employer must pay the DOL prevailing wage for your role + location. If they pay less, report it to DOL or hire a lawyer.
Official H-1B petition form
Check prevailing wage by role & location
Schedule visa appointment at US Embassy
Research H-1B sponsorship by company
Search H-1B job postings & sponsorship data
Green card immigrant petition
Use SetuEdu's tools to benchmark your salary, compare visa options, and track your immigration timeline.
Important Disclaimer
SetuEdu is not a visa agent or immigration consultant. This page provides general information for educational purposes only. Visa requirements and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements with the official embassy, consulate, or immigration authority of the United States before applying. We strongly recommend consulting official government sources and, if needed, registered immigration advisors for your specific situation.