The H-1B visa category is designated for individuals coming temporarily to the U.S. to perform services in a specialty occupation. A specialty occupation is defined as an occupation which requires theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge and attainment of a bachelor’s or higher degree for the specific specialization (or its equivalent in experience).
The Department of Labor (DOL) is involved with the H-1B visa application and employers bear a certain liability when filing H-1B petitions. Employers must make attestations about the wages for H-1B positions and they must guarantee the return fare home if an H-1B’s employment is terminated before the end of the period of authorized stay. Willful violation of the regulations can result in Washington University in St. Louis being fined and prevented from filing H-1B petitions for one year.