Dr. William:

I have a Master Degree from a very good foreign University, and I have an equivalent evaluation stating that my degree is equivalent to a U.S. Master degree. 

Can I qualify for one of the new 20,000 H1B visa exemptions? or is there a way that I can ask USCIS for a special consideration for my degree? Does the employer have to show that the master degree is required for the job in order to request one of the 20,000 H1B exemptions?

---

A: The new exemption of 20,000 H1B visa are available to anyone with a U.S. Master Degree or above. The employer does not have to show the master degree, and there is no need to show that the job requires a Master Degree in order to qualify for one of the 20,000 H1B visa exemptions. 

Here, a U.S. Master Degree or above is required, and a foreign equivalent degree can not be applied, no matter how prestigious the foreign school is.