The H-1B Visa: The Specialty Occupation Pathway The H-1B visa  is designed for professionals in a "specialty occupation," meaning a job that requires the theoretical and practical application of specialized knowledge and a U.S. bachelor's degree (or its foreign equivalent) as a minimum requirement. Key Characteristics of the H-1B: Eligibility:  The employee must hold at least a Bachelor's degree in the specialty field, such as engineering, programming, or financial analysis.