H-1B1 Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Professional Visa (USA)

The H-1B1 Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Professional Visa is a non-immigrant visa available exclusively to citizens of Singapore and Chile. It enables professionals from these countries to work temporarily in the United States in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise — similar to the H-1B visa, but under more flexible trade-specific provisions.

Key Features of the H-1B1 Visa:

• Eligibility: The H-1B1 visa is available only to citizens of Singapore and Chile who have a valid job offer in the United States in a specialty occupation requiring a bachelor's degree or higher (or equivalent experience).
• Employer Sponsorship: A U.S. employer must file a petition and obtain a Labor Condition Application (LCA) from the Department of Labor before sponsoring the applicant with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Qualifications: Applicants must hold a relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification and demonstrate specialized knowledge consistent with the offered position.
• Cap and Availability: Unlike the standard H-1B visa, the H-1B1 visa operates under the Free Trade Agreements and generally has no restrictive annual lottery. Although there is a statutory cap (1,400 for Chile and 5,400 for Singapore), it rarely fills up, allowing year-round applications.
• Duration of Stay: The H-1B1 visa is typically granted for an initial period of 12 months and may be renewed in one-year increments indefinitely, as long as the individual continues to meet eligibility and employment requirements.
• Employment Conditions: Employers must pay at least the prevailing wage and ensure compliance with U.S. labor laws. Employment must not negatively impact similarly employed U.S. workers.
• Dependents: Spouses and unmarried children under 21 years old may accompany the H-1B1 holder under the H-4 visa category. H-4 dependents are not automatically eligible to work unless they obtain Employment Authorization (EAD) from USCIS.
• Transition to Permanent Residency: Although the H-1B1 visa is temporary and technically non-dual intent, holders may later pursue lawful permanent residency (Green Card) through employment-based immigration if they qualify.

The H-1B1 visa provides a valuable opportunity for skilled professionals from Singapore and Chile to work and contribute to the U.S. economy under the Free Trade Agreement framework. At Visa2Migrate, we assist both employers and applicants through every step — from labor certification and petition filing to documentation and renewals — ensuring a compliant and efficient process.