How To Obtain A H1B Visa in China

You must have a valid Chinese passport.

Applying for temporary employment in the United States is one of the best ways to work in the country if you are a foreign national. The H1B visa allows you to achieve this goal. The toughest part of obtaining H1B status is finding a U.S. employer who is willing to sponsor you. Once an employer agrees to sponsorship, you can enter and work in the U.S. You must have a bachelor's degree or higher to apply for this visa.

Things You'll Need

• 51 mm-by-51 mm photograph
• Form I-129
• DS-160 confirmation page
• PIN card

Instructions

1. Search and apply for a position in the U.S. that qualifies you for the H-1B visa. To meet this qualification, the requirements for the position must be such that only a person with a bachelor’s degree or higher can perform the duties satisfactorily, or the employer requires entry-level applicants for the position to possess a bachelor’s degree or higher.

2. Have the U.S. employer file a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the U.S. Department of Labor after you receive an employment offer.

3. Have your employer file Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (see Resources) with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services on your behalf. After USCIS approves the petition, have your employer send you a notarized copy of the approval notice.

4. Complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160). Navigate to the Consular Electronic Application Center page (see Resources), type your information in the fields provided, select the “Next Personal 2” button at the bottom of the page, then follow the prompts to complete the form.

5. Print the confirmation page of your completed DS-160.

6. Visit any branch of China CITIC Bank to purchase the required U.S.-Embassy-approved PIN card, which, as of July 2010, cost RMB 54 for 12 minutes.

7. Use your PIN card to call one of the following numbers and then schedule your visa appointment:

   [phone] (Shanghai number)

   4008-872-333

   You will be notified of the consular district where you must apply for your visa in person.

8. Pay the machine-readable visa (MRV) fee by visiting any branch of the China CITIC Bank. As of July 2010, the MRV fee was $150 (RMB 1035). Ask for a receipt after you pay the MRV fee.

9. Have a 51 mm-by-51 mm photo taken; the photo must be taken no more than six months prior to your visa application.

10. Use scotch tape to stick the picture onto the front cover of your passport.

11. Visit the consular district on your appointment date and submit your application materials to the visa officer. Demonstrate to the visa officer that you intend to return to China after completing your temporary employment in the United State. Expect to have the consular district process your H-1B visa within five days after you pass the interview.

References

• USCIS: H-1B Specialty Occupations and Fashion Models
• Immihelp.com: H1 Visa Requirements
• United States Embassy, Beijing, China: Non-immigrant Visas
• U.S. Department of State: Temporary Workers

Resources

• U.S. Department of State: Nonimmigrant Visa Application
• USCIS: Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker