H-1B1

<p>As part of trade agreements, the U.S. allots 1,400 H-1B1 visas for Chileans and 5,400 for Singaporeans each fiscal year (part of the 65k cap, effectively reserving 6,800 of those).</p><p>H-1B1 is very similar to H-1B in requirements (specialty occupation, etc.), but the process is slightly different: often applied directly at consulate (no USCIS petition required, though one can file an I-129 for change of status to H-1B1).</p><p>H-1B1 is one-year increments (renewable indefinitely) but is underused – typically the numbers are far below the cap. Spouses on H-4 (yes, H-4 is used for H-1B1 dependents) cannot get EAD unless the principal reaches the same AC21 criteria.</p>