{"id":2560,"date":"2021-02-17T19:30:03","date_gmt":"2021-02-17T19:30:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/juradolawfirm.com\/?page_id=2560"},"modified":"2022-01-13T18:15:15","modified_gmt":"2022-01-13T18:15:15","slug":"h-1b-specialty-occupations-and-fashion-models","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/juradolawfirm.com\/h-1b-specialty-occupations-and-fashion-models\/","title":{"rendered":"H-1B Specialty Occupations And Fashion Models"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

H-1B Specialty Occupations, DOD Cooperative Research and Development Project Workers, and Fashion Models<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This visa category applies to people who wish to perform services in a specialty occupation, services of exceptional merit and ability relating to a Department of Defense (DOD) cooperative research and development project, or services as a fashion model of distinguished merit or ability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eligibility Criteria<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visa Category<\/strong><\/td>General Requirements<\/strong><\/td>Labor Condition Application Required?<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
H-1B Specialty Occupations<\/td>The job must meet one of the following criteria to qualify as a specialty occupation:Bachelor\u2019s or higher degree or its equivalent is normally the minimum entry requirement for the positionThe degree requirement for the job is common to the industry or the job is so complex or unique that it can be performed only by an individual with a degreeThe employer normally requires a degree or its equivalent for the positionThe nature of the specific duties is so specialized and complex that the knowledge required to perform the duties is usually associated with the attainment of a bachelor\u2019s or higher degree.*For you to qualify to accept a job offer in a specialty occupation you must meet one of the following criteria:Have completed a U.S. bachelor\u2019s or higher degree required by the specific specialty occupation from an accredited college or universityHold a foreign degree that is the equivalent to a U.S. bachelor\u2019s or higher degree in the specialty occupationHold an unrestricted state license, registration, or certification which authorizes you to fully practice the specialty occupation and be engaged in that specialty in the state of intended employmentHave education, training, or progressively responsible experience in the specialty that is equivalent to the completion of such a degree, and have recognition of expertise in the specialty through progressively responsible positions directly related to the specialty.**<\/td> Yes. The prospective employer must file an approved Form ETA-9035, Labor Condition Application (LCA), with the Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker.  See the links to the Department of Labor\u2019s (DOL) Office of Foreign Labor Certification and USCIS forms to the right.For more information see the \u201cInformation for Employers & Employees\u201d link to the left.  <\/td><\/tr>
H-1B2DOD Researcher and Development Project Worker<\/td>The job must meet both of the following criteria to qualify as a DOD cooperative research and development project:The cooperative research and development project or a co-production project is provided for under a government-to-government agreement administered by the U.S. Department of DefenseA bachelor\u2019s or higher degree, or its equivalent is required to perform duties. To be eligible for this visa category you must meet one of the following criteria: Have completed a U.S. bachelor\u2019s or higher degree required by the specific specialty occupation from an accredited college or universityHold a foreign degree that is the equivalent to a U.S. bachelor\u2019s or higher degree in the specialty occupationHold an unrestricted State license, registration, or certification which authorizes you to fully practice the specialty occupation and be engaged in that specialty in the state of intended employmentHave education, training, or progressively responsible experience in the specialty that is equivalent to the completion of such a degree, and have recognition of expertise in the specialty through progressively responsible positions directly related to the specialty.**<\/td>No.<\/td><\/tr>
H-1B3Fashion Model  <\/td>The position\/services must require a fashion model of prominence.To be eligible for this visa category you must be a fashion model of distinguished merit and ability.<\/td>Yes.  The prospective employer must file an approved LCA  with the Form I-129.  See the links to the Department of Labor\u2019s Office of Foreign Labor Certification and USCIS forms to the right.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

*For more information, see 8 CFR \u00a7214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A).
**For more information see 8 CFR \u00a7214.2(h)(4)(iii)(C).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Application Process<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1:<\/strong> (only required for specialty occupation and fashion model petitions):  Employer Submits LCA to DOL for certification.
The employer must apply for and receive DOL certification of an LCA.  For further information regarding LCA requirements and DOL\u2019s inert process, see the \u201cForeign Labor Certification, Department of Labor\u201d link to the right.
Step 2:<\/strong>  Employer Submits Completed Form I-129 to USCIS.
The employer should file Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, with the correct USCIS Service Center.  Please see our I-129 Direct Filing Chart page. The DOL-certified LCA must be submitted with the Form I-129 (only for specialty occupation and fashion models).  See the instructions to the Form I-129 for additional filing requirements.
Step 3:<\/strong> Prospective Workers Outside the United States Apply for Visa and\/or Admission.
Once the Form I-129 petition has been approved, the prospective H-1B worker who is outside the United States may apply with the U.S. Department of State (DOS) at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad for an H-1B visa (if a visa is required).   Regardless of whether a visa is required, the prospective H-1B worker must then apply to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for admission to the United States in H-1B classification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Labor Condition Application (LCA)<\/strong>
Prospective specialty occupation and distinguished fashion model employers must obtain a certification of an LCA from the DOL. This application includes certain attestations, a violation of which can result in fines, bars on sponsoring nonimmigrant or immigrant petitions, and other sanctions to the employer. The application requires the employer to attest that it will comply with the following labor requirements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n