Applying for your H1B Visa is no easy task. It is a lengthy process that requires several qualifications and documents. If you are getting ready to apply for your H1B Visa for 2016, make sure you know what you do and do not need before you arrive. Here are some tips you will need to know before you file your H1B Visa documents.

Overview of Visa Documents

If you are thinking about obtaining your H1B Visa 2016, you must first have a job with a company who will sponsor you. The Employer will initiate the H-1B process for you.

When you are applying for your H1B Visa 2016, the employer may need to pay a Immigration Firm / Attornet to file H-1B Petition for you. You should only give copies of your important documents. The only time you should need the originals is when you are getting your visa stamped. Please ask your H1B filing consultant for the direct requests from the official USCIS. The official USCIS usually does not ask for originals.

Here is a checklist of documents that are required by United States for a foreign applicant for the H1B Visa 2016.

Checklist:

• Copies of degrees or certificates earned with transcripts
• Copy of your current resume
• Copy of your passport
• Copies of I20, if you have a degree from US.
• Copy your I-94 card. You can get a online copy at (https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html)
• Educational Evaluation, copy
• If you have had a H1B Visa before, copies of I-797 document
• A copy of your Social Security card, If you have ever had one.
• Copies of last 3 months pay statements – For H-1B Transfer

By knowing the steps and time periods of the H1B Visa for 2016 you can help prepare yourself in advance, keep to a time table if on tight deadlines and help you and the employer to be productive, proactive and organized.

 H-1B Filing Fees:

Base Filing Fee: $325

American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement fee:

• $750 for employers with 1 to 25 full-time equivalent employees, unless exempt
• $1,500 for employers with 26 or more full-time equivalent employees, unless exempt

Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee: $500  (This fee does not apply to Chile/Singapore H-1B1 petitions.)

Public Law 111-230:

• $2,000 to be submitted by a petitioner that employs 50 or more employees in the United States, if more than half of those employees are in H-1B or L-1 nonimmigrant status.

Premium Processing Fee:

• $1,225 for employers seeking Premium Processing Service