In the first episode of the ImmiGreat Podcast, Richard Wilner, co-founder and partner at Wilner & O’Reilly, breaks down one of the most widely used and widely misunderstood employment-based visas in U.S. immigration law: the H-1B visa.
With more than two decades of experience practicing immigration law exclusively, Richard provides a clear, practical overview of how the H-1B process works, who it applies to, and why careful planning is essential for both employers and foreign professionals.
What This Episode Covers
In this episode, Richard explains the H-1B visa process in plain terms, including:
• How the annual H-1B lottery works and when it takes place
• Who actually files and pays for an H-1B petition
• The difference between regular processing and premium processing
• What qualifies as a “specialty occupation” under U.S. immigration law
• When H-1B status becomes effective
• Key exceptions to the annual cap, including cap-exempt employers and country-specific carveouts
The episode also highlights recent policy developments that significantly impact employers, including increased government filing costs and heightened scrutiny of H-1B petitions.
Why This Matters for Employers and Professionals
The H-1B visa remains a critical pathway for U.S. employers seeking to hire highly skilled professionals, particularly in technology, operations, engineering, and management roles. At the same time, the process is highly technical, time-sensitive, and unforgiving of errors.
As Richard emphasizes, immigration decisions can directly affect careers, business operations, and long-term planning. Relying on experienced counsel who focuses exclusively on immigration law is essential.
About the ImmiGreat Podcast
The ImmiGreat Podcast is hosted by Richard Wilner and focuses on real-world immigration issues affecting employers, professionals, entrepreneurs, and families. Each episode is designed to provide practical insight into complex immigration topics directly from experienced immigration counsel.
For questions about the H-1B visa or other employment-based immigration options, contact Wilner & O’Reilly at https://www.wilneroreilly.com/contact/ or explore additional insights on our Immigration Blog at https://www.wilneroreilly.com/blog.
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