Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about the H-1B1 visa. For the full step-by-step process, see the H-1B1 visa guide.
What is the H-1B1 visa?
H-1B1 is a nonimmigrant work visa created under US free trade agreements with Singapore and Chile. It lets US employers sponsor Singapore and Chile citizens for specialty occupation roles — the same kind of jobs covered by the regular H-1B — but through a separate, faster, cheaper process.
Who is eligible for an H-1B1 visa?
Only citizens of Singapore and Chile are eligible. You also need a job offer from a US employer for a "specialty occupation" role — typically one requiring at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
How is H-1B1 different from H-1B?
H-1B1 has its own annual allocation (5,400 visas for Singaporeans) that is separate from the regular H-1B cap and has never been fully used, so there is no lottery. It also uses a different, faster application path (see our H-1B1 visa guide) and is less expensive to file than a standard H-1B petition.
How many H-1B1 visas are available each year?
5,400 visas are reserved annually for Singapore citizens under the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. Because H-1B1 has no lottery and this quota is rarely filled, eligible applicants with a qualifying job offer are not competing against a random selection process the way H-1B applicants are.
How long does the H-1B1 process take?
Applying from outside the US (Route A, the path most Singaporeans use) typically takes 3–6 weeks from LCA filing to visa collection. Applicants already in the US changing status through USCIS (Route B) should expect 2–6 months. See our H-1B1 visa guide for the full step-by-step timeline.
How much does an H-1B1 visa cost?
The Route A government visa application fee is approximately S$247. USCIS petition costs (Route B) run US$2,000 or more. Optional immigration lawyer fees are separate and vary by case complexity.
What's the difference between Route A and Route B?
Route A is consular processing at the US Embassy in Singapore — the standard path for applicants outside the US, taking 3–6 weeks. Route B is a USCIS petition used mainly by applicants already inside the US who are changing their immigration status, taking 2–6 months.
What documents do I need for the embassy interview?
Bring your passport, DS-160 confirmation, a certified physical copy of your employer’s LCA filing, and documentation showing ties to Singapore (such as property or family records) to demonstrate non-immigrant intent.
Do I need an immigration lawyer for H-1B1?
Not always. The LCA filing is typically handled by your employer’s HR or immigration counsel, and the DS-160 and interview steps are designed for individual applicants. A lawyer tends to help most when your case has added complexity, such as a prior visa denial or an employer unfamiliar with H-1B1.
Can I use this site to find a job with H-1B1 sponsorship?
This site is a research tool, not a job board. It shows employers’ historical LCA filings — evidence they have sponsored H-1B1 before — not current openings or guaranteed sponsorship. Use it to shortlist companies with a sponsorship track record via our companies and roles directories, then apply through their normal hiring channels.
Where does this site’s data come from?
All filing data comes from the U.S. Department of Labor’s public LCA disclosure files, filtered to H-1B1 Singapore filings and updated quarterly as the DOL releases new data.