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H1B Alternative FAQ: Everything You Need to Know

Get answers about skipping $100K H1B fees with experienced US & Canadian developers. 5-day placement guarantee, zero visa risk.

$100K+ Saved Per Hire
5 Days Average Placement
0% Visa Risk

H1B Alternative Questions

Your burning questions about avoiding the H1B lottery and fees

💰 How much can I save by using Aikinu instead of H1B visas?

Companies typically save $100,000+ per hire by choosing Aikinu's US & Canadian developers over H1B applications. Here's the breakdown:

  • Legal fees: $15K-25K per application
  • Filing costs: $5K-10K per petition
  • Compliance costs: $10K-20K annually
  • Opportunity cost: 8-18 months of delays
  • Lottery risk: 74% chance of rejection

With Aikinu, you pay only our placement fee and get immediate starts with zero immigration risk.

🕐 How quickly can Aikinu provide developers versus H1B timeline?

Aikinu provides qualified developers in 5 days on average, while H1B process takes 8-18 months:

H1B Timeline: Application prep (2-3 months) + Lottery wait (April) + Processing (3-8 months) + Potential delays
Aikinu Timeline: Interview candidates this week → They start Monday
🎯 What is the H1B lottery success rate vs Aikinu guarantee?

H1B lottery success rate is only 26% (2024 data), meaning 74% of applications are rejected regardless of candidate quality or your company's needs.

Aikinu offers 100% placement guarantee - if we present a candidate, they're immediately available to start. No lottery risk, no yearly uncertainty, no policy changes affecting your hiring plans.

🏆 Do US and Canadian developers have the same skill levels as H1B candidates?

Yes, often higher. Our US & Canadian developer network includes:

  • Graduates from top universities (Stanford, MIT, Waterloo, UBC)
  • Senior engineers from FAANG companies (Google, Meta, Amazon)
  • Proven professionals with 5-15+ years experience
  • Startup founders and tech leads

Plus, they offer better cultural fit, time zone alignment, and communication skills for North American companies.

📋 What are all my H1B alternatives for hiring tech talent?

Here are your complete H1B alternatives ranked by reliability:

  1. US & Canadian citizens (Aikinu specialty) - Immediate start, zero risk
  2. Permanent residents - Work authorized, no sponsorship needed
  3. TN visa holders - Mexico/Canada nationals, renewable annually
  4. O-1 visa holders - Extraordinary ability, faster processing
  5. L-1 visa transfers - Internal company transfers
  6. E-3 visa - Australian nationals only

Aikinu specializes in the first two categories for maximum reliability and immediate availability.

⚖️ What are the legal risks of H1B vs Aikinu approach?

H1B legal risks include:

  • Policy changes affecting approval rates
  • Compliance violations ($10K+ fines)
  • Wage requirement disputes
  • Site visit complications
  • Transfer restrictions

Aikinu approach has zero immigration risk - US & Canadian citizens can start immediately with no legal complications, policy changes, or compliance requirements.

General Hiring Questions

🔍 What is your candidate vetting process?

Our rigorous 5-step process ensures only top 5% of applicants join our network:

  1. Technical skills assessment - Live coding, system design
  2. Portfolio review - Real project evaluation
  3. Behavioral interviews - Communication and culture fit
  4. Reference checks - Previous employer verification
  5. Background screening - Professional and legal verification

Result: 95% retention rate and exceptional client satisfaction.

💼 What types of tech roles do you fill?

We specialize in all levels of tech positions including:

Engineering: Software Engineers, Full-Stack, Frontend, Backend, DevOps, Site Reliability
Data & AI: Data Scientists, ML Engineers, Data Engineers, AI Researchers
Leadership: Tech Leads, Engineering Managers, CTOs, VP Engineering
Product & Design: Product Managers, UI/UX Designers, QA Engineers
⚡ How does staff augmentation work?

Staff augmentation allows you to quickly add skilled professionals to your existing team:

  • Flexible duration: Weeks to years based on your needs
  • Seamless integration: Developers work as part of your team
  • Scale up/down: Adjust team size as projects evolve
  • No long-term commitment: Convert to permanent or end as needed
  • Immediate start: Begin within 48-72 hours
🛡️ What guarantees do you offer?

We back our service with industry-leading guarantees:

  • 30-day replacement guarantee for permanent placements
  • 5-day placement promise or extended search at no cost
  • Quality assurance: Pre-vetted candidates only
  • Client satisfaction: 95% retention rate track record
  • Immediate replacement for staff augmentation if needed
💳 What are your fees and pricing structure?

Our competitive pricing depends on role level and engagement type:

Permanent Placements: 15-25% of first year salary (industry standard: 20-35%)
Staff Augmentation: $75-200/hour based on skill level and duration
Executive Search: Retained search model, custom quotes

Contact us for a custom quote based on your specific needs.

🌎 What regions and time zones do you cover?

We focus exclusively on US & Canadian markets for strategic advantages:

  • Time zone alignment: EST, CST, MST, PST coverage
  • Cultural fit: North American business practices
  • Communication: Native English speakers
  • Legal simplicity: No visa complications
  • Travel flexibility: Easy client visits and team meetings
🚀 Can you handle high-volume hiring and team scaling?

Absolutely. We excel at large-scale hiring initiatives:

  • Bulk hiring: Successfully scaled teams from 5 to 50+ developers
  • Dedicated teams: Account managers for high-volume clients
  • Parallel processing: Multiple candidates for multiple roles simultaneously
  • Rapid scaling: Weeks, not months for team growth
  • Consistent quality: Same vetting standards regardless of volume
🎯 What makes Aikinu different from other tech recruiters?

Our unique combination sets us apart:

  • Speed: 5-day average vs industry 8-12 weeks
  • Quality: 95% client retention vs industry 60-70%
  • Specialization: Exclusively North American tech talent
  • H1B alternative focus: Eliminate visa complications entirely
  • Partnership approach: Long-term relationships vs transactional
  • Proven track record: 500+ successful placements
🌱 Do you work with startups and small companies?

Yes! We work with companies of all sizes and understand unique startup needs:

  • Equity compensation: Help structure competitive packages
  • Cultural fit: Find candidates who thrive in startup environments
  • Growth potential: Developers excited about scaling companies
  • Flexible arrangements: Part-time, contract-to-hire options
  • Startup-friendly pricing: Flexible payment terms available
🔬 What if we need specialized or emerging technology skills?

Specialized skills are our specialty. Our network includes experts in:

  • AI/ML: TensorFlow, PyTorch, computer vision, NLP
  • Blockchain: Solidity, Web3, DeFi, smart contracts
  • Cloud: AWS, GCP, Azure specialists and architects
  • Mobile: iOS, Android, React Native, Flutter
  • Enterprise: Salesforce, SAP, Oracle, Microsoft platforms
  • Emerging tech: IoT, AR/VR, quantum computing

We maintain specialized talent pools and can quickly source niche expertise.

Calculate Your H1B Savings

See exactly how much you'll save by choosing Aikinu over the H1B lottery

🧮 Use Our H1B Cost Calculator

Still Have Questions?

Our team is here to help. Get personalized answers about your specific hiring needs and H1B alternatives.