H-1 is a visa in itself, which is also known as your work permit. To have an H-1 visa allows you to work, but it is usually only given to you if you are sponsored by a company in the US. Some companies even make you pay for it though by law is illegal. Since both of you are British, you can go to the US for 90 days without any visa and you can start applying for jobs there. It would be easier so if employers contact you, you are in the local area already for interviews and all that.