1.Yes,2.It depends.

Hope you are talking about H1B petition.
1) You need to pass Labor Conditoning Application (LCA) through Department of Labor (DOL). There is a prevailing salary requirement for the position you are applying for. After that, you file your petition to BCIS.
2) Go and see their website at http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/foreign/ for your info.