For international MBA and business master’s students looking to stay in the US long-term after graduation, an H-1B visa is essential.
But what exactly is the visa and how do you get one? Here’s everything you need to know about getting an H-1B visa in 2025.
What is the H1B visa?
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant permit, meaning it allows people to live and work in the US on a temporary basis. H-1B visa holders can work in the US for three years, after which they can apply to extend their stay for a further three.
After these six years are up, holders must either leave the US, or obtain a different status to continue living and working in the country—such as an F-1 student, an O-1 'extraordinary ability' worker, or a Green Card.
Am I eligible?
To meet the requirements for the H-1B visa, you must already have at least a bachelor’s degree and need to be working in one of a number of specialized professions, which include business and management roles.
Although in high demand, there are a limited number issued each year. H-1B visas are allocated through a lottery system, with a cap of 65,000 visas in 2025. However, the rules favor MBA and business master’s graduates, as there are an extra 20,000 visas available for those who have a master’s degree or higher, taking the total number to 85,000.
When should I apply?
The application process begins in February, when you should create your United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) online account and submit your registration before the portal closes in late March. The lottery happens at the end of March, and successful applicants are contacted as soon as the lottery is over.
After successful H-1B recipients have been notified in early April, employers have 90 days to submit a petition. The renewal process for the H-1B visa, to extend your stay for another three years, follows a similar process and can be started up to six months before your visa expires.
Will my employer sponsor me?
To get a H-1B visa, your employer has to sponsor you and send a petition to the USCIS on your behalf.
Many employers, including top MBA recruiters such as Amazon and Apple, offer sponsorships to international MBA and business master’s graduates. Most of the top companies, which sponsor thousands of H-1B visas a year, are in the tech sector though firms from other industries and startups also offer sponsorship opportunities.
Employers evaluate candidates based on business needs and potential for long-term contribution, and sponsorship may involve navigating complex regulations and competitive lottery systems. Some organizations even offer guidance throughout the H-1B process, making it easier for international graduates to secure work authorization and continue their careers in the United States.
What changes to the H-1B visa do I need to be aware of in 2025?
The rules surrounding the H-1B visa have shifted over the last few years, so what do you need to know in 2025?
The new beneficiary centric model, introduced in the fiscal year 2025, means that your name can only be entered into the lottery once, even if submitted by multiple employers. This means that names can’t be entered multiple times to increase the chance of success. The change aims to provide a more equal chance for all applicants. However, MBA and business master’s graduates are still at an advantage, due to the additional 20,000 visas they are eligible to apply for.
The electronic registration fee for the H-1B visa has also increased significantly for the fiscal year 2026, increasing from just $10 to $215 from this year onwards.
Finally, there is also discussion of changing the lottery-based system to a weighted selection process, although this has not come into force yet. This could mean that applicants with higher skills and salaries, especially in specialized fields, may have an increased chance of selection. These regulations have received government approval and could come into effect as soon as March 2026, for the fiscal year 2027 cap.
