Architecture-related Majors
There are numerous world-class architectural firms in the U.S., such as Gensler, HDR, HKS, SOM, Perkins & Will, and naturally, the U.S. architectural market is coveted by architects around the world. This is a leading reason why international students majoring in not only architecture but also urban planning, landscaping, interior designing, etc. look for careers in the U.S. The H-1B is a nonimmigrant working visa important to international graduates with U.S. architecture-related degrees that wish to work and build their careers in the U.S.
It is not common for those hired by architectural firms to apply for an H-1B visa as a licensed architect. Licensing requirements not only include completing a degree program in architecture or a related field of study but also gaining some relevant experience, typically for 3 years. Under the H-1B regulations, applicants may not apply for H-1B visas if their profession requires a license by law and they do not hold such required license. Therefore, most applicants that are not licensed architects choose positions related to architectural “design.” Relevant professions that meet the H-1B criteria include Architectural Designers, Urban Designers, Landscape Designers, Interior Designers, and etc.
However, please note that there has been an increasing number of Requests For Evidence (“RFE”) from the USCIS requesting additional evidence that shows the offered designing position qualifies as a “specialty occupation” which requires a U.S. bachelor’s or higher degree or an equivalent foreign degree from an accredited college or university. To prove this, the employer must show the USCIS that the nature of the specific duties is so specialized and complex that the knowledge required to perform the duties is usually associated with the attainment of a bachelor’s or higher degree. It would also be helpful to show that the employer requires a bachelor’s degree in majors related to architecture as the minimum education level for architectural designers, and also that such degree requirements are common to the industry in parallel positions among similar organizations.
The USCIS adjudicates H-1B petitions selected in their annual computerized random selection process, also known as the lottery. Only 40% of applicants participating in the lottery have the opportunity to have their H-1B petitions adjudicated by the USCIS. As an alternative to the H-1B, applicants may consider pursuing the O-1 visa, also known as the “artist’s visa.” Architecture-related designers are considered as artists for O-1 visa purposes, and our experienced immigration attorneys at SONG Law Firm have actually helped numerous architectural designers not selected in the H-1B lottery to later obtain O-1 visa status. For more information on O-1 visas, please refer to our Success Stories posted on our website at https://songlawfirm.com/contents/main.
To all of the international students dreaming the American Dream as future architecture-related designers, SONG Law Firm wishes you the best of luck in your 2022 H-1B application. A great idea would be preparing your petition by teaming up with the experienced immigration attorneys at SONG Law Firm, who have extensive collective experience in petitioning for a variety of majors. If you have any further questions, please contact us at mail@songlawfirm.com.
To all of the international students dreaming the American Dream as future architecture-related designers, SONG Law Firm wishes you the best of luck in your 2022 H-1B application. A great idea would be preparing your petition by teaming up with the experienced immigration attorneys at SONG Law Firm, who have extensive collective experience in petitioning for a variety of majors. If you have any further questions, please contact us at mail@songlawfirm.com.