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H-1 Temporary Worker Classification

The H-1 classification is an employment-based immigration status established by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to employ international employees with specialized training. The four-step application process requires attestations and approvals from the US Department of Labor (DOL) as well as US Citizenship and Immigration Services. Because of the complicated and time consuming nature of an H-1 application, the H-1 classification is generally only considered a viable category for long-term, full-time employment if the J-1 classification is not an option.

To qualify for the H-1 classification, the prospective position must require a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a specialized area and the prospective employee must have attained a minimum of Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in a directly related field. Boston University submits an application on behalf of the employee and can request a maximum authorization of three years depending on the length of the academic appointment. In addition, DOL regulations require that the institution meet or exceed a determined minimum prevailing wage and that the employee be compensated with employment benefits equivalent to that of any other employee in the same position and level. Boston University policy restricts H-1 sponsorship to long-term teaching and research positions. Requests for exceptions to the policy must be submitted in writing to the Office of the Provost on the Charles River Campus.

To initiate processing, the host department must obtain an official academic appointment on behalf of the international scholar through the standard appointment channels at the school or college and follow the instructions on the appropriate Scholar Processing Checklist for H-1. It is recommended that the department consider the ISSO processing estimates when requesting an academic appointment and completing the international scholar request forms. The department must supervise the completion of the necessary request forms. The forms must be submitted to the ISSO with all supporting documentation at least six months prior to the anticipated start of employment. The ISSO must receive all required documentation before processing can commence.

USCIS currently requires at least five months to evaluate and approve a pending H-1 application. Therefore, the department must plan in advance when hiring an international employee in H-1 classification. The department can choose to pay a $1000 fee to USCIS to expedite the application. However, this service known as premium-processing does not affect the time ISSO needs to process the initial steps of the application. Regardless of the type of service requested, once USCIS approves the application, the ISSO will forward the approval notice to the prospective employee. He/she must apply for an H-1 visa at a US Embassy or Consulate that will enable the scholar to enter the US and commence employment.

Once the H-1 employee arrives in the US, he/she must report to the ISSO within three days from the start of employment. Boston University is required to monitor the employment of the H-1 employee as well as the activities of their H-4 dependent family members throughout their stay in the US. The H-1 authorization only allows for employment in the position specified on the original H-1 application submitted to USCIS. In addition, the international H-1 employee must agree to adhere to all H-1 immigration regulations, notify the ISSO and USCIS with any changes in residential address, inform the ISSO of any changes to the activity and location of H-4 dependent family members and consult with an ISSO staff member prior to departing the US.

The H-1 classification is salary, location, job description, title and employer specific. Therefore, the department member supervising the international scholar must contact the ISSO to initiate an amended petition prior to any changes to the employee’s activities including, but not limited to, changes in employment, remuneration, location of employment, duration of appointment, change in immigration status and termination of activity. Failure to comply with these regulations may jeopardize the lawful immigration status of the visitor, his/her family as well as Boston University's ability to sponsor international scholars in the future.

 

Processing Summary for Initial H-1 Request


Step 1
Department forwards completed H-1 request forms to ISSO

 


Step 2
ISSO requests official prevailing wage determination from SWA

 


Step 3
ISSO forwards Labor Condition Application (LCA) to department for posting

 


Step 4
ISSO submits LCA to DOL for approval

 


Step 5
ISSO submits petition and supporting documentation to USCIS

 


Step 6
ISSO forwards USCIS approval notice to prospective scholar

 


Step 7
Prospective scholar applies for H-1 visa at a US Embassy or Consulate and travels to the US

 


Step 8
Prospective scholar reports to the ISSO no later than 3 days after start date of the academic appointment

 

Click here to view the Processing Checklist and download required forms

 

ISSO
Boston University
February 28, 2005

Boston University International Students & Scholars Office March 24, 2004