H-1B Eligible Academic Titles
The H-1B can be an appropriate visa classification for full-time, UW-salaried academic personnel, including:
- Postdoctoral scholars who graduated from U.S. schools or who are currently working in the U.S.
- Graduates of U.S. schools must exhaust their eligibility for Optional Practical Training or Academic Training before changing status to H-1B
- J-1 exchange visitors must exhaust their 5 years of J-1 eligibility before changing status to H-1B
- Acting instructors
- Lecturer full-time temporary
- Assistant professors, associate professors, and professors, including acting, teaching, research, and clinical
H-1B Temporary Workers – TN Status for Canadian and Mexican Employees
Please note that this status is restricted to Canadian and Mexican nationals in an H-1B eligible academic title. AST’s Foreign National Services team (FNS) collaborates with International Scholar Operations (ISO) to collect necessary documents from the unit and scholar; and ensures the scholar understands what they need to apply for TN Status.
H-1B Temporary Workers – E-3 Status for Australian Employees
Please note that this is restricted to Australian nationals in an H-1B eligible academic title. FNS collaborates with ISO to collect necessary documents from the unit and scholar, submits ISO’s visa request for conditional approval, and ensures the scholar understands what they need to apply for E-3 Status.
Permanent Residence (Green Card)
The unit and faculty member are the primary points of contact for ISO during the permanent residency process. FNS is often looped in to help facilitate questions and ensure that case deadlines are met. Note that most permanent residency cases are initiated by ISO when an H-1B visa was submitted for the position; FNS can assist in initiating a case not related to a UW-sponsored H-1B. If you have such a case, please contact us at teamcas@uw.edu to discuss.
USCIS Fee Check Requests
FNS requests the USCIS Fee Checks for H-1B and permanent resident petitions through Workday and ensures they are delivered to ISO.
On this Page...
- Resources
- H-1B Visa Form Request Checklist
- Workflows
- H-1B Visa Estimated Processing Time and Workflow
- Frequently Asked Questions: H-1B
- Who needs an H-1B visa?
- When should my department begin the permanent residency (Green Card) application process?
- Frequently Asked Question: Other Visa Question
- Does AST's FNS process F-1 visas?
- Can an F-1 visa holder work more than 20 hours/week?
- Does the AST’s FNS team process other visa types?
- May a J-2 visa holder work at the UW?
- Where do I find more information regarding UW’s visa policies and procedures?
- How much do the latest visa processing fees cost?
Resources
Back to TopH-1B Visa Form Request Checklist
Requesting or renewing a H-1B visa? Ensure the following documents are ready:
For staff titles and academic personnel, such as professors and instructors (including Acting, Research, & Teaching) titles:
- Completed prevailing wage intake form (WordDoc)
- Copy of all published advertisement(s) (for professorial appointments) or UWHIRES position (for staff)
- Copy of the first offer letter issued
For postdoctoral titles:
- Postdoctoral data sheet
- Most recent CV (+ documentation that degree requirements have been met if Scholar-Fellow or Conditional)
Workflows
Back to TopH-1B Visa Estimated Processing Time and Workflow
The turnaround time for processing the hiring of foreign nationals on an H-1B Visa is 3-5 months. We recommend submitting new and renewal cases to us at least 4 months in advance of the desired start date. The timeline is critically dependent on responses from federal agencies, such as USCIS. Where applicable, the overall timeline will also be affected by processing times at the US Consulate/Embassy abroad issuing the visa. Submitting the request as early as possible will support timely processing and greater certainty for academic units and new employees alike, especially for new employees who are currently outside the U.S.
The workflow image below links to a PDF where you can scale to your liking. This workflow is also available in a Word document.
Frequently Asked Questions: H1-B
Back to TopA faculty appointee with a full-time, multi-year contract.
As soon as possible. Best practice: Start the green card process for tenure-eligible appointees simultaneously with the H-1B visa application.
Frequently Asked Questions: Other Visa Questions
Back to TopPlease note that our team does not process F-1 visa applications, so students should review all information provided by International Student Services (ISS) under On-Campus Employment for F-1 Students and consult ISS if there are any concerns or questions.
Only during class breaks and only in one quarter out of four, during the annual vacation quarter. This is usually—but not always—over the summer quarter. Students should review all information provided by International Student Services (ISS) under On-Campus Employment for F-1 Students and consult ISS if you have any concerns or questions.
The FNS team processes J-1 Scholar, J-2 Dependents, J-1 VISIT/VISER, E-3 (Australian nationals), TN (Canadian and Mexican nationals), and H-1B visas, as well as permanent residency applications.
No.
Visit the Visa page of ISO, there you can find hiring policies and procedures and Visa Guidance for Unit Administrators.
Our colleagues in ISO have published an FAQ page to help international scholars navigate the ever-changing policy landscape. Topics covered here include international travel concerns, visa status & policy changes, security and immigration enforcement, legal advice on immigration matters, and department & institutional guidance.
The office of Academic Personnel and Faculty (APF) charges a fee, payable by cost transfer invoice (CTI), for each visa request. Visit the APF Visa Fees page for the current fee structure.
For Further Support
Back to TopReach out and we will route your questions, comments, and/or ideas to the appropriate subject matter experts on our team and keep an eye out for monthly updates via AST's Newsletter.
Last Updated: Friday, April 25, 2025