H-1B1 Chile/Singapore FTA Professional Visa — United States

The H-1B1 classification allows professionals from Chile and Singapore to work in the United States in specialty occupations. It centers on a specific job offer, verified qualifications, and review by U.S. government agencies.

Basic purpose

The H-1B1 visa allows a U.S. employer to hire you for professional work in a specialty occupation. The position must require specialized knowledge and professional qualifications.

Your employer files the required petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The petition includes details about the U.S. company, the offered position, the terms of employment, and your professional background.

You must show that you have a legitimate job offer in the United States and that your qualifications match the role. If you apply for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate, you complete Form DS-160 with the U.S. Department of State.

The Department of State handles visa interviews and visa issuance. U.S. Customs and Border Protection decides whether to admit you when you arrive in the United States.

The H-1B1 category is separate from the standard H-1b visa classification, even though both involve specialty occupations.

Who uses it

You use the H-1B1 visa if you are a citizen of Chile or Singapore, have a job offer from a U.S. employer, will work in a specialty occupation, and meet the professional qualifications for that job.

This visa does not apply to nationals of other countries. Citizenship is a required element.

Your U.S. employer plays a central role. The employer submits the required petition to USCIS and provides details about the job offer.

You provide documentation of your education, credentials, and experience to show that you qualify for the position. The process typically involves two stages:

1. Petition review by USCIS

2. Visa application processing through the U.S. Department of State (if applying from outside the United States)

Occupation types included

The H-1B1 covers specialty occupations, meaning positions that require professional-level knowledge and qualifications. The job must be clearly defined and supported by a formal offer from a U.S. employer.

The employer must describe the duties of the role, the professional requirements, and how your background fits the position. You must show that your education and experience align with the job’s requirements.

USCIS evaluates whether the position qualifies as a specialty occupation and whether you meet the stated criteria. This visa does not cover general labor or casual employment.

It applies to structured professional roles tied to a specific U.S. employer and a specific offer of work.

You will pay a consular application fee and should plan for processing that ranges from a few weeks to several months, depending on the stage of your case. Costs and timelines differ between the visa application handled by the U.S. Department of State and any petition or change of status handled by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Government fees

For an H-1B1 visa application at a U.S. consulate, you must pay the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee of $

1. You pay this fee when you submit the Form DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application and schedule your interview with the U.S. Department of State.

This fee applies to petition-based categories, which include H classifications such as H-1b visa and H-1B

1. The consular officer will not issue your visa until you pay the required MRV fee.

In limited circumstances, a presidential proclamation requires an additional $100,000 payment as a condition of eligibility. If this applies to you, you must make the required payment as instructed by USCIS, submit proof of payment, and complete the payment before USCIS adjudicates a change of status request.

If you are filing anything with USCIS, confirm current filing fees directly with USCIS before submitting your forms.

Processing timelines by category

processing times depend on whether you apply abroad through a consulate or request a change of status with USCIS inside the United States. For DS-160 visa applications, reported time ranges (as of February 2026) vary by category and location:

As an H-1B1 applicant, you fall under the petition-based grouping. Actual timing depends on the U.S. embassy or consulate where you apply.

For certain immigration-related requests, general processing may take 2 to 8 weeks, but timelines can change without notice.

Special payment requirements

Some applicants face additional financial requirements beyond the standard $205 MRV fee. If a presidential proclamation applies to your case, you must make an additional $100,000 payment as a condition of eligibility.

USCIS requires proof of payment before it will adjudicate a related change of status request. You must follow the payment instructions provided by USCIS exactly.

Failure to submit proof in the required format can delay or prevent approval. Keep copies of payment confirmation receipts, any USCIS notices related to the payment, and evidence that the payment was made before adjudication.

If you are unsure whether this special requirement applies to your H-1B1 or related H-1B work authorization request, review the official USCIS guidance before filing.

The H-1B1 classification does not automatically lead to permanent residence, but you can pursue immigrant options while maintaining valid status. You must understand how numerical limits and recordkeeping affect your long-term plans.

How this classification interacts with caps

The H-1b visa category has an annual numerical limit of 65,000 new statuses or visas per fiscal year, with adjustments based on H-1B1 set‑asides and actual usage. H-1B1 numbers are reserved specifically for nationals of Chile and Singapore.

Unused set‑aside numbers may affect how the broader H-1B cap is calculated for that fiscal year.

If you later seek classification under the standard H-1B category, cap availability may become relevant. USCIS manages petitions and cap tracking.

If you apply for a visa abroad, you submit Form DS-160 to the U.S. Department of State for consular processing. Visa issuance remains separate from USCIS petition adjudication.

Information to keep on file

You must maintain clear records of your qualifications and employment. USCIS evaluates eligibility based on your educational background and professional credentials.

Keep copies of diplomas and academic transcripts, credential evaluations if applicable, employment offer letters describing your specialty occupation, prior approval notices from USCIS, and copies of submitted DS-160 confirmations if you applied abroad.

If your employment ends, review your options promptly to maintain lawful status and authorized work authorization. Accurate documentation supports future filings, including changes of status or immigrant petitions.

Missing records can delay adjudication or result in requests for evidence from USCIS.

Your H-1B1 status is tied to the specific job and employer listed in your petition and visa application.

You must maintain qualifying employment and proper labor certification at all times.

Job and occupation conditions

You must work in a specialty occupation and have proof of that employment.

To qualify, you need:

• A valid job offer in a specialty occupation
• Evidence showing the role requires specialized knowledge
• A certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) from the U.S. Department of Labor
• Documentation submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or presented during visa processing

Your employer must secure the certified LCA before you apply for the visa or seek status.

The LCA confirms the terms of your employment.

If your job doesn't meet these conditions anymore, your work authorization in the U.S. doesn't just continue on its own.

Special project or agency verifications

Government agencies review your employment at different stages.

USCIS reviews petitions and status filings inside the United States.

If you apply for a visa abroad, the U.S. Department of State reviews your DS-160 and supporting documents during consular processing.

You must present:

• The certified LCA
• Evidence of your qualifying job
• Confirmation of your employment terms

Each agency checks that your position is a specialty occupation and that your work matches the approved terms.

If you change employers, don't assume portability under general H-1b visa rules. You need proper authorization. The new employment must meet H-1B1 requirements and be properly documented before you start.

You must qualify as a professional from Chile or Singapore with a valid job offer in a specialty occupation in the United States.

Your education, the position, and any required licenses must meet specific regulatory standards enforced by USCIS.

Degree and credential thresholds

You must hold at least a U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher in a field directly related to the offered position.

The degree must be from an accredited college or university.

If your degree is from outside the U.S., you must show that it's equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher in the required specialty.

USCIS reviews equivalency evidence during adjudication.

Your qualifications must match the job’s academic requirements.

The position must require a bachelor’s or higher degree, or its equivalent, as a minimum entry standard.

You may qualify if you have:

• A U.S. bachelor’s or higher degree in the specific specialty
• A foreign degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s or higher degree in that specialty
• Education or experience directly related to the specialty occupation

You submit supporting documentation to USCIS as part of the petition.

Occupation and specialty requirements

Your job must qualify as a specialty occupation under federal regulations.

The role must require the theoretical and practical application of highly specialized knowledge.

The employer must prove that the position normally requires at least a bachelor’s degree in a specific specialty.

General degree requirements aren't enough; the degree must relate directly to the job duties.

You must also have a valid job offer from a U.S. employer for work in a qualifying specialty occupation under the U.S.–Chile or U.S.–Singapore Free Trade Agreements.

Key occupation criteria include:

• Duties require highly specialized knowledge
• A bachelor’s or higher degree is a minimum requirement
• The degree must be in a directly related field
• The employer offers professional-level work in the United States

For regulatory definitions, review 8 CFR § 214.2(h)(4)(ii) and related provisions.

Licensing and special categories

If your occupation requires a state or local license, you must have that license before USCIS approves the petition.

Filing without the required license can delay or prevent approval.

You must have an unrestricted license, registration, or certification authorizing you to fully practice the specialty occupation in the state of intended employment.

Certain specialized classifications have additional rules:

• H-1B2 (Department of Defense Researcher and Development Project Worker): Requires a bachelor’s or higher degree and verification from the DOD project manager.
• H-1B3 (Fashion Model): You must show distinguished merit and ability as a fashion model.

After USCIS approves the petition, you apply for a visa through the U.S. Department of State by submitting Form DS-160 and attending a consular interview.

Admission at a U.S. port of entry is determined by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Most H-1B1 Chile and Singapore denials stem from missing core documents, licensing gaps, or filing at the wrong time.

You can avoid these issues by tracking required evidence, confirming your qualifications, and filing within the allowed window.

Documentation omissions and fee proof

USCIS rejects or denies plenty of H-1B1 petitions when the filing package is missing required evidence. Even a minor omission can halt your case before anyone reviews your qualifications.

A DOL-certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) must be included with Form I-

1. Without the certified LCA, USCIS will not approve the petition.

You also need to provide proof that you paid the required filing fee through pay.gov, unless you qualify for an exemption. If you don’t submit fee confirmation or evidence of an exemption, expect a rejection.

Before you file, double-check this list:

• Copy of the DOL-certified LCA
• Form I-129, completed and signed
• pay.gov payment confirmation or proof of exemption
• All supporting documents listed in the Form I-129 instructions

If you’re applying for a visa abroad, you’ll also need to complete Form Form DS-160 with the U.S. Department of State. Errors or inconsistencies between your DS-160 and the petition can slow down visa issuance.

Licensing and qualification issues

Some H-1B1 occupations require a state license before you can legally work. If your job needs a license in the state where you’ll work, you have to show you already have it.

USCIS won’t approve your petition if you’re missing a required license. The agency checks whether you’re authorized to perform the specialty occupation at the time you file.

Check these points before you submit:

• Your occupation requires a state license in the state of intended employment
• You already obtained the license, if required
• Your petition includes proof of licensure

If you’re going into a regulated profession, don’t assume you can get the license later. USCIS reviews eligibility at the time of filing.

For visa applicants abroad, the U.S. Department of State may also review your qualifications during the visa interview. Inconsistent information between your petition and DS-160 can raise questions about your eligibility.

Timing and filing errors

You can’t file an H-1B1 petition more than six months before the requested start date. Filing too early leads to rejection.

Calculate your intended employment start date carefully. Count back six months and make sure USCIS receives your petition within that timeframe.

Follow this sequence:

1. Obtain the certified LCA.

2. Confirm your start date.

3. File Form I-129 within six months of that date.

If USCIS rejects your petition for timing, you’ll have to refile, which can delay your ability to begin work.