Citizeo
Pathway

U.S. Work Visa for Chileans or Singaporeans

United States Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

The H-1B1 is a U.S. specialty-occupation work route for nationals of Chile and Singapore with qualifying U.S. professional jobs.

Type
Specialty worker residence
Nationality fit
Chileans and Singaporeans
Core requirements
A specialty job, qualifying credentials, and an approved Labor Condition Application
What to know
Temporary route separate from the H-1B cap lottery
What it gives
H-1B1 permits work for the employer and position described in the application.
Main limit
H-1B1 is not permanent residence and is not treated as a dual-intent category in the same way as H-1B.

Summary

H-1B1 is a temporary specialty-occupation route for citizens of Chile and Singapore under the countries' free-trade agreements with the United States. It usually requires a U.S. professional job, a certified Labor Condition Application (LCA), and the education or other credentials required for that occupation.

It is distinct from ordinary H-1B classification. A person should not assume that every H-1B rule, cap procedure, or benefit applies to H-1B1.

Pathway fit check

Eligibility

An applicant generally must show:

There are 6,800 numbers reserved from the overall H-1B limit each fiscal year—1,400 for Chile and 5,400 for Singapore. Unused numbers return to the regular H-1B allocation under the statutory rules.

What This Route Allows

H-1B1 permits work for the employer and position described in the application. Admission is generally granted for up to one year, and extensions can be sought in one-year increments while the person remains eligible.

Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may qualify for H-4 status. H-4 work authorization is limited to specific regulatory categories and is not automatic for an H-1B1 spouse.

What This Route Is Not

H-1B1 is not permanent residence and is not treated as a dual-intent category in the same way as H-1B. A pending or planned immigrant case can complicate proof of temporary intent.

The September 2025 H-1B proclamation specifically addresses H-1B specialty-occupation entry, not H-1B1. Separate nationality-based visa restrictions can still apply, and visa issuance never guarantees admission.

Next Steps

  1. Confirm Chilean or Singaporean citizenship.
  2. Match the duties to a specialty occupation and the worker's degree or treaty-specific credentials.
  3. Have the employer obtain the certified LCA and assemble wage and worksite evidence.
  4. Review temporary-intent evidence and any immigrant filings.
  5. Confirm whether the case will be a direct consular H-1B1 application or a USCIS change/extension of status.
Compare your options

Similar skilled worker pathways in other destinations.

Sources