The H1B Visa is a non-immigrant Visa that is issued to foreign technical workers that allows them entry on a work basis into the United States for a specified period of time, up to six years. The Visa is granted based on applications from employers who need the workers, guaranteeing them a job when they arrive. Each year the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services receives more applications than are allowed by law, and they are awarded in a lottery-style fashion. Opponents of this type of Visa selection system would like to see the approvals based on the actual needs of the employers and the qualifications of the workers. Pending legislation before Congress to increase the limits for fiscal year 2008 and 2009 are meeting with mixed reactions among lawmakers. Conservative lawmakers are concerned about pulling more jobs away from American workers, while those in favor of the increases see an opportunity for smaller business owners to get help from foreign workers as well.

Fast Facts:

1. Filing period: April 1-7, 2008
2. Received 133,000 petitions in 2007
3. 65,000 applications randomly approved
4. Legislation pending to increase limits up to 195,000 annually