An H-1B is a temporary work visa that will initially provide employment permission for up to three years. The H-1B can normally be extended for a total of six years. Under certain circumstances an H-1B may be extended beyond six years. An individual needs to have an employer file for an H-1B on his or her behalf.

We are not aware of any plan to terminate the H-1B program.

Under current law, there is a quota of approximately 85,000 H-1B visas permitted each year. 20,000 of the total are reserved for graduates of U.S. universities who obtain at least a Master's degree. There is no limit to the number of H-1B visas that may be issued to persons who will work for a U.S. college or university.

If you obtain a Ph.D. from a U.S. university - and an employment offer from a U.S. university, you should be able to obtain an H-1B visa. The university would need to take care of this for you.

Peter Baumann