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The H-1B visa is related to:
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Answer: Option D — Work visa for the USA
Detailed Solution
The H-1B is a non-immigrant visa of the United States that allows American employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in "speciality occupations".
About the H-1B visa:
- It was created by the US Immigration Act of 1990.
- "Speciality occupations" require at least a bachelor's degree or its equivalent in a specific field, such as information technology, engineering, mathematics, science, medicine, finance and architecture.
- The employer must sponsor the worker by filing a petition with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- It is usually granted for three years, and can be extended to a maximum of six years.
- H-1B holders can apply for permanent residency (a "Green Card") while on the visa ("dual intent").
There is an annual cap of 65,000 new H-1B visas, plus an additional 20,000 for people with a US master's degree or higher. Universities and non-profit research organisations are exempt from the cap.
Because demand is much higher than the cap, the visas are allotted through a computerised lottery.
In September 2025, the US government announced a one-time fee of 1,00,000 US dollars for new H-1B petitions filed from outside the USA, raising concerns among Indian IT companies.
India and the H-1B visa:
- Indians receive the largest share of H-1B visas, about 70 per cent each year.
- Indian IT companies, such as TCS, Infosys, Wipro and HCL, along with US technology companies, are among the largest sponsors.
Related US visas:
- H-4: for spouses and children of H-1B holders.
- L-1: for intra-company transfers (employees of multinational companies moving to a US office).
- F-1: for students studying in the USA.
- J-1: for exchange visitors.
- B-1/B-2: for business and tourist visits.
- O-1: for individuals with extraordinary ability.
- EB-5: an immigrant (Green Card) visa for investors.
Other countries' work visas:
- UK: Skilled Worker visa.
- Canada: Express Entry (permanent residence).
- Australia: Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa.
Why not the other options?
- ✗The UK's main student visa is called the "Student visa" (earlier "Tier 4").
- ✗Canada's tourist visa is a "Visitor visa".
- ✗Australia's permanent residency has its own visa subclasses.
Quick tip
Remember: H-1B = US work visa for speciality occupations (Immigration Act 1990; cap 65,000 + 20,000; lottery; Indians get about 70 per cent); H-4 = spouses; L-1 = intra-company transfer; F-1 = students.
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Miscellaneous GK — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Miscellaneous GK, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic collects general knowledge questions that do not fit neatly into a single category, such as national symbols, famous nicknames of places, important events, entertainment, and facts that cut across history, geography and culture. Because these questions come from many areas, the best preparation is broad revision and regular practice. Read each explanation carefully, since it often includes a related fact that is tested in a different form. Keep a notebook of facts you get wrong and revise it before the exam. Practise the miscellaneous GK questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.