Overview
H-1B status is available to citizens of all countries. To qualify for H-1B status, the foreign national must intend to come to the U.S. to be employed in a “specialty occupation.” A specialty occupation is an occupation that requires the “theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge; and [the] attainment of a bachelor’s or higher degree in a specific specialty (or its equivalent) as a minimum for entry into the occupation in the United States.” Specific wage requirements must also be met. Health care workers are subject to several additional requirements.
Maximum Validity
H-1B status can normally be awarded for a total of up to six years, but in increments of no longer than three years. Any time spent abroad during these six years can be reclaimed and added to the total, as long as the absences from the U.S. can be documented. Extensions past the sixth year are possible under limited circumstances, but only if the foreign national is the beneficiary of an employment-based green card application. Once someone has exhausted their time in H-1B status and no extensions based on an underlying green card application are possible, the foreign national must reside abroad for a full year in order to become eligible for a new six year period of H-1B status
Requesting H-1B Status and Timeline
To request H-1B status for a foreign national, FSIS must file a petition with USCIS. Hiring department submits the standard H-1B/ TN/ E-3 Authorization Form. This form should be received as soon as a decision on sponsoring a foreign national or extending a foreign national’s immigration status has been made.
The earliest that an employer may file an H-1B petition is six months prior to the requested start date. Therefore, and considering the processing times involved, it is recommended that FSIS receive any request six to seven months (or two to three months in the case of extensions/amendments) prior to the requested start date.
The H-1B process application process can take a significant amount of time. FSIS needs approximately four to six weeks to prepare an H-1B petition. Such petitions are prepared on a first-in, first-out basis. Once finalized, the petition will be submitted to USCIS for adjudication. Adjudication times vary, but often exceed several months. (For current processing times, please refer to the USCIS website. (For H-1B processing times, select "I-129" as the form type and "California Service Center" under Field Office or Service Center.)) Petitions filed under Premium Processing are considered by USCIS within 15 days of receipt by USCIS. Note that in the case of transfer, extension or amendment petitions, with some limitations, the employee may start/continue their employment while the petition is pending with USCIS.
With some exceptions, individuals who are currently abroad will also need to apply for an H-1B visa at the consulate or embassy. Visa application timelines depend on a variety of factors, including time of year, nationality or background of the applicant and they also vary from consulate to consulate. Particularly if someone is subjected to administrative processing when applying, a visa application process of four to six weeks is common.
H-1B Sponsorship for Staff Positions
No H-1B sponsorship will be pursued for staff positions in classifications for which the university has determined, as indicated in the career path navigator system, that the minimum requirement is less than a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a specific field related to the position. If no minimum requirement is established for a classification, the International Center will make a determination, on a case-by-case basis, whether H-1B sponsorship may be appropriate for a given position in such a classification. Considerations will include, but are not limited to, the complexity of the position, the standard educational preparation for the position as well as the availability of other classifications.
Fees
For an overview of the various costs associated with an H-1B application as well as an overview of who may pay what costs, please refer to our section on fees and checks.
Dependents
The dependents (spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21) of individuals in H-1B status are eligible for H-4 status. Individuals in H-4 status may study but they may not work, unless they have an EAD. Individuals in H-4 status may qualify for an EAD based on a pending green card application by filing a Form I-765.
The following individuals in H-4 status are eligible for an EAD:
- Spouses and dependent children in H-4 status who are the beneficiaries of an Adjustment of Status (I-485) application
The following individuals in H-4 status may also apply for an EAD:
- Individuals in H-4 status whose spouse in H-1B status is the beneficiary of an approved I-140 (employment-based Immigrant Petition).
- Individuals in H-4 status whose spouse in H-1B status was granted an extension of their status beyond the standard maximum period of six years of H-1B status (based on an employment-based green card application. The I-765 may be filed concurrently with the I-539 and I-129 for the status extensions beyond the sixth year.
Please be sure to review the instructions before filing a request for an EAD.
If one’s dependents are currently abroad, they can apply for their dependent visa – Canadian citizens are exempt from the visa requirement – on the basis of the primary status holder’s H-1B approval notice (Form I-797) and proof of their relationship (e.g., marriage certificate or birth certificate) only. If the dependent is currently in the U.S. in a different immigration status, a Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status must be filed with USCIS. This form must generally be filed by the applicant him or herself. If FSIS is filing an application for the primary status holder, FSIS can file this I-539 with the main application. The filing fee for an I-539 application is the responsibility of the applicant.