What Is the H-1B1 Visa for Singapore and Chile?
The H-1B1 is a US work visa only for citizens of Singapore and Chile, created by free trade agreements. You need a job offer in a specialty occupation and an employer that files a labor condition application. There is no lottery.
Every job is from an employer that filed H1Bs in 2025. See which ones fit your resume.
Who qualifies, and the caps
You must be a citizen of Singapore or Chile. Permanent residents of those countries do not qualify, so an Indian citizen living in Singapore cannot use it.
The job must be a specialty occupation, usually needing a bachelor's degree in a related field. A few roles can qualify with other credentials, such as certain management consultants and disaster relief claims adjusters.
The law allows 5,400 H-1B1 workers from Singapore and 1,400 from Chile each fiscal year. These numbers come out of the regular 65,000 H-1B cap and are rarely used up.
Family members do not count against the cap.
What the employer does
The employer files a labor condition application with the Labor Department, the same form as for H-1B, marked H-1B1. It agrees to pay the higher of the actual or prevailing wage and to give you a copy.
The Labor Department says it reviews LCAs within seven working days.
| Employer | H-1B filings | Transfers | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.Com Services LLC | 14,047 | 2,382 | $155k |
| Cognizant Technology Solutions US CorpGC frozen | 10,209 | 872 | $110k |
| Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | 9,808 | 269 | $143k |
| Google LLC | 7,899 | 844 | $186k |
| Microsoft CorporationGC frozen | 7,840 | 879 | $173k |
| Tata Consultancy Services LimitedGC frozen | 7,287 | 353 | $86k |
How to apply
From outside the US, you apply for the visa directly at a US embassy, usually in Singapore or Santiago. No USCIS petition is needed. You bring the certified LCA, your offer letter and your degree.
Since October 1, 2025, most visa applicants need an in-person interview, and the State Department asks you to apply in your country of nationality or residence. The H visa application fee was set at $205 in 2023.
If you are already in the US, the employer can file Form I-129 with USCIS to change or extend your status. The October 16, 2026 fee schedule lists $780 on paper or $730 online ($460 for small employers and nonprofits), plus other fees that may apply.
How long it lasts
H-1B1 is granted for up to one year at a time. Extensions also come in one-year steps, and after every second extension the employer needs a new labor attestation.
University guidance based on USCIS policy says there is no fixed limit on extensions, as long as you keep showing temporary intent. Unlike the H-1B, the H-1B1 does not allow immigrant intent.
Changing jobs and your family
H-1B portability does not apply. A new employer needs its own LCA and a new visa or USCIS approval before you start.
Your spouse and children can get H-4 status. H-4 status does not allow work on its own.
2025 and 2026 news
In September 2025, the US Embassy in Singapore said the $100,000 H-1B proclamation does not apply to the H-1B1 and the process was unchanged.
Interview rules tightened in 2025, as described above. As of October 2026, we found no change to the caps or terms.
Finding H-1B1 employers
See our H-1B1 sponsors list, ranked by 2025 filings with Singapore and Chile counts. Any employer on H1B sponsors already files the same LCA. Compare the options in H-1B1 vs H-1B.
Not legal advice
This is general information as of October 21, 2026, not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm your situation with an immigration attorney.
Questions
Can Indian citizens get an H-1B1?
No. The H-1B1 is only for citizens of Singapore and Chile. Living or holding permanent residence there is not enough.
How long does H-1B1 processing take?
The LCA takes about seven working days at the Labor Department. After that, it mainly depends on embassy interview wait times.
Can the H-1B1 be renewed indefinitely?
It is extended one year at a time, and the statute sets no maximum, but you must keep showing temporary intent and the employer needs new labor attestations.
Can my H-1B1 spouse work?
Not on H-4 status alone. Your spouse would need their own work status.
Can I change employers on an H-1B1?
Yes, but the new employer needs a new LCA and a new visa or USCIS approval before you start. Portability does not apply.
What other US work visas can Singaporeans use?
The regular H-1B, L-1 for company transfers, O-1 for extraordinary ability, and E-1 or E-2 treaty visas for trade and investment.
Sources
- 8 U.S.C. 1184 (INA 214): E-3 and H-1B1 numerical limits
- Temple University ISSS: H-1B1 Status for Nationals of Chile and Singapore
- U.S. Department of Labor: H-1B, H-1B1 and E-3 programs
- U.S. Department of Labor WHD Fact Sheet 62X: H-1B1
- U.S. Department of State: Interview Waiver Update, September 18, 2025
- USCIS: Form G-1055 Fee Schedule
- Asia News Network: US Embassy says H-1B1 not subject to $100,000 fee (Sept. 2025)
- Barnes & Thornburg: State Department increases nonimmigrant visa application fees (2023)
