What H1B visa applicants can do if they missed the H1B lottery
Since only less than 50% of H-1B applicants were chosen this year for the lottery, there exist a dilemma of what to do next? Some applicants are able to apply for H-2B visas which are considered as seasonal visas. The applicants usually apply for an 11 month visa, and then have the option to file the application for H – 1B visa again in April 1, 2015. Depending on the circumstances of the company, the H – 2B will serve as a stop gap to allow the applicant another chance for the H – 1B lottery in 2015. Another option is an L-1A Multinational Executive Visa, and in some cases an L – 2B visa. Whether or not the applicant is eligible depends on the circumstances of the US company applying for him or her, and also the educational background and work experiences in their home country. In fact some applicants move to an F – 1 and take college courses, or even courses such as cooking, drawing or music classes while they wait to reapply in April 1, 2015 for the H – 1B lottery. Unfortunately, until Congress decides to increase the H – 1B visas per year to over 200,000, which was the case six years ago, applicants will have to find creative ways to stay in the United States while they wait to be chosen for the H – 1B lottery.
