EU / EEA / Swiss citizens
The standard H-1B employer-petition framework applies. Visa Waiver Program or ESTA status does not authorize H-1B employment and does not replace an H-1B visa where a visa is required.
Standard H-1B route
H-1B specialty occupation guide
H-1B visa sponsorship jobs in the USA
H-1B is an employer-sponsored U.S. work classification for qualifying specialty occupations. The U.S. employer files the petition. Citizenship does not change the core specialty-occupation standard, but some nationalities have different visa-entry rules or alternative professional work categories.
Employer-sponsoredThe U.S. employer is the petitioner.
$205Current H-category visa application processing fee at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
$215Current H-1B cap registration fee per beneficiary, paid through the employer-side registration process.
Updated Aug 11, 2026Check official sources before filing because fees and procedures can change.
H-1B by citizenship: what actually changes
The H-1B specialty occupation test is not easier or harder simply because a person holds an EU, British, Australian or third-country passport. The main differences are visa-entry procedures and whether another professional work category is available.
United Kingdom citizens
British citizenship does not create a separate H-1B exemption. A qualifying U.S. employer still needs the appropriate H-1B petition route, and the worker generally completes the H-1B visa process before entry when a visa is required.
Standard H-1B routeAustralian citizens
Australians can use H-1B if eligible. They may also qualify for the E-3 specialty occupation visa, a separate category created specifically for Australian nationals.
H-1B or E-3Canadian citizens
Canadian citizens can qualify for H-1B and generally do not need a nonimmigrant visa stamp to travel in H-1B classification. They still need the required H-1B petition documentation for admission. Eligible professionals may also consider TN status.
H-1B / possible TNMexican citizens
Mexican citizens can qualify for H-1B under the standard rules. Eligible USMCA professionals may also consider the TN category, which is separate from H-1B.
H-1B / possible TNChile and Singapore
Citizens of Chile and Singapore can use the standard H-1B route if eligible. They may also qualify for the H-1B1 Free Trade Agreement professional category.
H-1B or H-1B1India, China and other third-country nationals
The standard H-1B employer-petition framework applies. Visa appointment procedures, issuance validity and any reciprocity fee can vary by nationality and consular post.
Standard H-1B routePermanent residents of another country
Residence in the EU, UK, Canada, Australia or elsewhere does not by itself give the nationality-based immigration benefits available to citizens of those countries.
Citizenship mattersAlready in the United States
A person already in the United States may have a change-of-status or employer-change scenario instead of immediate consular processing. The employer should confirm the correct filing strategy.
Status-specificCore H-1B requirements
H-1B is based on the job, the employer and the worker's qualifications. A job title alone is not enough.
Specialty occupation
The position must require highly specialized knowledge and normally require at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent in a directly related specialty.
Qualified beneficiary
The worker must have the required degree, equivalent education or experience, and any required professional license for the position.
U.S. employer petitioner
The U.S. employer controls the petition process, Labor Condition Application requirements and employer-side filings.
Cap-subject and cap-exempt H-1B
The route depends on the petitioner and case history. Not every H-1B filing goes through the annual cap registration process.
Cap-subject H-1B
Many private-sector first-time H-1B cases are subject to the annual cap. USCIS uses an electronic registration process before eligible selected registrations can proceed to a cap-subject petition.
Cap-exempt or not subject to a new cap selection
Certain qualifying institutions and organizations may be cap-exempt. Some petitions for workers already counted against the cap may also be filed without a new cap selection, depending on the case.
H-1B costs relevant to the applicant
Applicant-side visa costs should be kept separate from employer petition expenses. Employer petition fees depend on the petitioner and filing type.
| Item | Amount | Who handles it | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| H-category visa application processing fee | $205 | Visa applicant | Department of State petition-based nonimmigrant visa processing fee. A reciprocity issuance fee may apply for some nationalities. |
| H-1B cap registration fee | $215 | Employer / representative | Per beneficiary for the current H-1B cap electronic registration process. |
| MaViAl administrative support | $350 | Applicant | Non-legal assistance after the employer petition stage: DS-160 guidance, document organization, appointment guidance and interview preparation. |
Employer petition costs are separate.
USCIS petition fees can vary substantially by employer size, filing type, exemptions and optional processing choices. Current USCIS guidance also requires a separate $100,000 payment for certain H-1B petitions, subject to the rule's scope and available exceptions. This is not the applicant's $205 visa fee and is not included in MaViAl's service. Employers should verify the current USCIS instructions before filing.
Typical H-1B process
The exact sequence depends on whether the case is cap-subject, cap-exempt, an extension, a change of employer or a change of status.
Employer confirms the role
The employer defines duties, degree requirements, worksite and wage and determines whether the position supports H-1B classification.
Registration if required
For a cap-subject first-time case, the employer completes the USCIS registration process during the applicable registration period.
Employer files the petition
The employer completes the required Labor Condition Application and H-1B petition filings with supporting evidence.
Consular visa application if required
After petition approval, an applicant outside the United States who requires a visa completes the DS-160, pays the applicable visa fee and follows the U.S. embassy or consulate procedure.
Admission and employment
The worker travels with the required documentation and may work only in accordance with the approved H-1B employment and admission terms.
Find H-1B-related jobs and prepare your resume
Search by role, location and employer. A vacancy mentioning sponsorship does not guarantee H-1B eligibility; the employer and position still must meet the applicable requirements.
USA jobs catalog
Browse jobs in the United States by state, city, role and employer.
Create your resume
Create an OpeningsHub resume that can be shared with employers during your job search.
Compare U.S. visa routes
Review H-2B, J-1, H-1B, F-1 CPT/OPT and B-1/B-2 information in the U.S. visa section.
H-1B visa application support by MaViAl Sp. z o.o.
MaViAl provides non-legal administrative assistance for applicants who already have an employer-side H-1B process. It does not replace the U.S. employer, an immigration attorney or USCIS.
Service price: $350 per applicant
- DS-160 completion guidance
- Document checklist and file organization
- Appointment process guidance
- Interview preparation
- Consistency review of applicant-provided information
Not included
- H-1B employer petition preparation or filing
- Legal advice or legal representation
- Government fees
- Employer petition fees
- Guarantee of petition approval, visa issuance or admission
Contact MaViAl
Official U.S. sources
Verify current rules, fees and filing instructions before taking action.
Frequently asked questions
Who files an H-1B petition?
The U.S. employer is the petitioner and files the H-1B petition with USCIS. OpeningsHub and MaViAl are not the H-1B petitioner unless they are the actual qualifying U.S. employer in a specific case.
Does EU citizenship make H-1B easier?
No. EU citizenship does not create a separate H-1B eligibility standard. The role, employer and worker qualifications still must satisfy the H-1B rules.
Does a British passport remove the H-1B visa requirement?
No general H-1B exemption exists simply because the applicant is a UK citizen. The normal employer-petition framework applies.
What is different for Australian citizens?
Australians can qualify for H-1B, but eligible Australian professionals can also consider the E-3 specialty occupation category.
What is different for Canadian citizens?
Canadian citizens generally do not require a nonimmigrant visa stamp for H-1B travel, although the H-1B classification and petition documentation are still required. Some Canadian professionals may also qualify for TN status.
What is the current H-1B visa application fee?
The Department of State currently lists a $205 application processing fee for petition-based H visas. A nationality-based reciprocity issuance fee may also apply in some cases.
What does MaViAl charge?
MaViAl Sp. z o.o. charges $350 per applicant for non-legal administrative support after the employer petition stage. Government fees, employer petition fees and legal representation are separate.
Does OpeningsHub guarantee sponsorship?
No. A job listing or sponsorship keyword is not a guarantee. The U.S. employer determines whether it will sponsor a candidate and whether the position supports the required immigration classification.