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/Academic HR(AHR)’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.
Resources
Back to TopH-1B Visa 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 image below links to a PDF where you can scale to your liking.
FAQs
Back to TopH-1B
Who needs an H-1B visa?
A faculty appointee with a full-time, multi-year contract.
When should my department begin the permanent residency (Green Card) application process?
As soon as possible. Best practice: Start the green card process for tenure-eligible appointees simultaneously with the H-1B visa application.
F-1
Does AST's FNS process F-1 visas?
Please 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. General information, including contact details for ISS is available at https://iss.washington.edu/.
Can an F-1 visa holder work more than 20 hours/week?
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.
Other Visa Questions
Does the AST’s FNS team process other visa types?
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.
May a J-2 visa holder work at the UW?
No.
Where do I find more information regarding UW’s visa policies and procedures?
Visit the Visa page of ISO, there you can find hiring policies and procedures and Visa Guidance for Unit Administrators.
Don't see your question? Please fill out our General Inquiry form and keep an eye out for website updates via AST's Newsletter.
Last Updated: Friday, December 29, 2023