Dr. William:

My employer will apply for H-1B for me soon, what are the differences between H-1B visa differ from other non-immigrant visas? 

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Answer:

H-1B is a temporary work visa. Non-immigrant visas such as B-1/B-2 visas, F-1 visas, require those applying for them to demonstrate that they do not intend to immigrate to the U.S. permanently. 

On the other hand, INS assumes that holders of H-1B visas intend to immigrate permanently to the U.S. Thus, applicants for H-1B visas do not need to prove an intent not to immigrate, and intent to immigrate is not grounds for the denial of a visa by the consulate or by an immigration officer. Further, some categories of non-immigrant visa require that their holders maintain a foreign residence. This is not a requirement for the H-1B.