An H-1B is a non-immigrant visa or status for skilled workers in specialty occupation to work in the U.S. temporarily for a total of six consecutive years. In the H-1B application process the petitioning employer files the application on the foreign national beneficiary’s behalf. The foreign national has to have at least a bachelor’s degree or a foreign equivalent. Sufficient work experience can serve as a substitute for education requirements. H-1B status is typically given to engineers, professors, researchers, software programmers, and other foreign professionals.