hours don't matter. they say 500 hrs to scare people off. There are not enough locals to fill the positions, so the companies then have to default to foreigners. the reason hour requirements exist is due to insurance. some companies do prefer that you have time on type, but no problem if you don't. who do you think they're going to choose; the guy who has been there for 2 days, or the guy that knows the people and the area? It is a waiting game, so be prepared to wait.
"The hardest part about this process is waiting. But once you're in, you're IN."