While listening to the general debate that is being had throughout the United States, it is surprising to hear so many correspondences and interlocutors imply that the H-1B visa gives a foreign national permanent residency in the United States. If you asked a normal American whether the H-1B visa granted permanent residency in the United States, 90% of them would probably either not know what you were talking about, or would believe that it did grant permanent residency.
To the surprise of many – the H-1B Visa does not provide permanent residency in the United States. With limited exceptions, the H-1B visa is temporary and a person can have H-1B status for a maximum of six years. In fact, an initial H-1B visa is only valid for a maximum of three years. After those three years, an H-1B status holder must reapply for the status. Further, the H-1B only allows for the visa holder to only work for the petitioning company. To work otherwise would be a violation of H-1B status.
If you are confused about the H-1B visa and want to learn more, please contact an H-1B Visa Lawyer for more details.