H1B1 Visa for Singapore Citizens: A Guide for Professionals Working in the United States

Singaporean professionals who receive job offers from U.S. companies may have an immigration option that many applicants overlook: the H-1B1 visa.

The H-1B1 category was created under the United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement and allows qualifying Singaporean citizens to work temporarily in specialty occupations in the United States.

An H1B1 visa lawyer can help determine whether both the employee and the offered position qualify.

What Type of Job Can Qualify?

H-1B1 classification is generally available for a specialty occupation requiring specialized professional knowledge.

In many cases, the position must require at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in an appropriate specialty.

Examples may include qualifying positions in industries such as technology, engineering, finance, business, science, education, architecture, and other professional fields.

The job title alone does not establish eligibility. The actual duties and educational requirements are critical.

What Does the U.S. Employer Have to Do?

The Singaporean applicant must have qualifying employment with a U.S. employer.

The employer generally needs to obtain a certified Labor Condition Application from the Department of Labor. The applicant may then use the employer’s documentation, the LCA, educational evidence, and other supporting materials when applying for the visa.

For applicants applying from abroad, the H-1B1 category generally does not require the employer to first obtain approval of the standard USCIS petition required in many other employment visa cases.

How Long Can You Stay?

H-1B1 admission is generally granted for up to one year at a time. Extensions may be available when the professional continues to satisfy the requirements.

H-1B1 applicants must also remain mindful of the category’s temporary-intent requirements.

Why Work With an H1B1 Visa Lawyer?

Potential problems can arise even when the applicant has a university degree and a legitimate U.S. job offer.

For example, questions may arise concerning whether the degree relates to the position or whether the job is sufficiently specialized.

An H1B1 Visa Lawyer can identify these issues before the application is submitted and help the applicant and employer assemble documentation addressing the legal requirements.

For Singaporean professionals considering U.S. employment, H-1B1 can be an important alternative worth exploring.